Season 1-5 Discussion

[geekgirl921]

On 4/16/2019 at 6:08 AM, Mermaid Under said:

I thought the final phone call (from the tv presenter to his cross-dressing son) implied that the troubled son had killed Hayley.  Which means he didn't, because it is way too early to expose the culprit.

I think he would have been way too young to have done it. Also, he's sort of a peripheral character. This show usually lets you get to know the main suspects pretty well so that it's more of a blow when the one who did it is arrested. 

[dcalley]

I don't usually try all that much to figure out whodunnit, but I was wondering if (unspoiled speculation coming up) the comment that the guy on the roadwork crew was a doctor in another country was significant (aside from ID'ing the bones as human). Maybe Dr. Tim Finch did it!

[SunnyBeBe]

I do enjoy watching good police work.  Everyone working as a team is refreshing.  

Some things that I took note of.  The flashbacks for most of the men seems dark, rainy, tragic.  I'm getting an accidental feel.  Please remind the cause of death of the young girl......

I'm also wondering if the ex-wife had any reason to lie about the events of that night.  She seemed credible to me.  

I sense suspicion of the man with mental illness is a red herring.  His memory flashbacks seem similar to the other men though.  Will he confide in his fiance? She's wary of him and I get it.  

So, I take it the salesman borrowed money from his friend, but, is he up to some kind of blackmail? He seemed very sure that he was going to be coming into some money.  Why?  He doesn't realize that he can't please his wife.  She really is miserable.  He needs to get free of her now.  I see bad things for them, otherwise. 

Edited April 22, 2019 by SunnyBeBe

[geekgirl921]

Did none of these men think that they wouldn't talk to the ex wives who would give a very different story which would make it obvious they are lying and conspiring to come up with a story?!!

[Mermaid Under]

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 Please remind the cause of death of the young girl......

They only found a partial skeleton, but I thought they found a broken hyoid bone, which indicated possible strangulation.

[SunnyBeBe]

1 hour ago, Mermaid Under said:

They only found a partial skeleton, but I thought they found a broken hyoid bone, which indicated possible strangulation.

Okay.  I thought that was it. I'm just wondering if this was a horrible accident that got covered up when it didn't really have to be.  

Recall when the artist had a crisis and he called that one guy to come and help him? That guy jumped to it like it was really urgent.  What's the deal with that? Is he trying to keep that man content for some reason or placate him?

[Mermaid Under]

Quote

Recall when the artist had a crisis and he called that one guy to come and help him? That guy jumped to it like it was really urgent.  What's the deal with that? Is he trying to keep that man content for some reason or placate him?

My impression - and I don't think the show has revealed the reality of the relationship between these 4 men - is that it could be one of two things.  Either they really have always been close friends since childhood and always looked out for one another, or they have been bound together because of their involvement in this murder.  And I still think there is a possibility that the transgender son is involved in some way.  At the least he must have witnessed something.

[geekgirl921]

4 hours ago, Mermaid Under said:

My impression - and I don't think the show has revealed the reality of the relationship between these 4 men - is that it could be one of two things.  Either they really have always been close friends since childhood and always looked out for one another, or they have been bound together because of their involvement in this murder.  And I still think there is a possibility that the transgender son is involved in some way.  At the least he must have witnessed something.

I think the son probably witnessed something but I do think he would have been too young to participate.

[12catcrazy]

Interesting how all the men's marriages broke up very soon after whatever happened that New Year's Eve.  Maybe all of these guys were "high rollers" of some sort or another with the Masters of the Universe mentality, and the wives were treated like chopped liver.   The guy with the trans (?) son seems like a real asshole in particular.  So far, the only one of the 4 guys who seems basically decent is the guy living out of his van who once was a big-shot CEO.   Maybe he is suffering some real guilt over whatever happened that night.  

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

Any possibility all the guys had sex with the girl and all ended up with genital herpes that the wives found out about and divorced them???

[dcalley]

I need a cheat sheet: James Hollis, TV; Tim Finch, doctor; Pete Carr, sales; Chris Lowe, artist.

James's ex's recollection of the events that night seemed remarkable to me. I believed her--it's just that I could tell you almost nothing about gatherings that took place nearly 20 years ago.

The blogger character so far seems unnecessary. The anonymous internet commenters were enough, I thought, if the show wants us to keep a little suspicion on Hayley's dad.

The only image from the four men's flashbacks that I can really remember was a credit card, and that was from Chris.

[SunnyBeBe]

Well this is getting a little soap opera like, imo.  I could use a little less of that.

  I wish they wouldn't imply that just because someone is mentally ill that they are not truthful.  

Didn't Haley's sister tell the detective that she wanted her skeleton arranged in proper order? How would that be possible with that small casket?  

[Pickles]

I was wondering why Cassie would have been looking at those police files in a public place?? Just out in the open at the coffee shop. And then leaving one behind? Omg. 

[SunnyBeBe]

13 minutes ago, Pickles said:

I was wondering why Cassie would have been looking at those police files in a public place?? Just out in the open at the coffee shop. And then leaving one behind? Omg. 

Is this the last season of this series?

[Pickles]

2 hours ago, SunnyBeBe said:

Is this the last season of this series?

I haven't heard anything about this being the last season. I hope not.

[zillabreeze]

8 minutes ago, Pickles said:

I haven't heard anything about this being the last season. I hope not.

Oooh!  I hope not, too!   I have really grown comfy having a Nicola Walker series on all the time😁

Edited April 29, 2019 by zillabreeze

[SunnyBeBe]

Oh, perhaps, I misunderstood.  I'm just wondering if they are setting up the lead detective for some kind of cognition issue.  Recall her concern about her father and how he told her that she was the one with the problem?  Then, she forgets a file?  Just curious where they are taking that storyline. 

[zillabreeze]

1 minute ago, SunnyBeBe said:

Recall her concern about her father and how he told her that she was the one with the problem? 

I think he went on to say that her problem is that she's lonely and/or jealous while he has a love interest and she doesn't.   The forgotten file may have been just an manifestation of her lack of sleep and preoccupation with the possibility of Dad's dementia.

[castersugar]

Quote

Didn't Haley's sister tell the detective that she wanted her skeleton arranged in proper order? How would that be possible with that small casket?  

The mini-casket Cassie brought up was to transport the remains to Haley's hometown. The sister is planning to have them transferred to a full-size (probably nicer) coffin for burial.

[EmpressElle]

There will be a fourth season of Unforgotten, according to multiple sources.

Radio Times

[dcalley]

16 hours ago, Pickles said:

I was wondering why Cassie would have been looking at those police files in a public place?? Just out in the open at the coffee shop. And then leaving one behind? Omg. 

Yeah, it seems like there ought to be some protocol against taking files anywhere like that.

I'd been wondering what the frequently seen bridge was, and the red letters at the end of the episode answered that for me: Clifton Suspension Bridge

Recaps on the WETA blog: episode 3, episode 4

[zoey1996]

3 hours ago, dcalley said:

Yeah, it seems like there ought to be some protocol against taking files anywhere like that.

I'd been wondering what the frequently seen bridge was, and the red letters at the end of the episode answered that for me: Clifton Suspension Bridge

Recaps on the WETA blog: episode 3, episode 4

Thanks!  I was having trouble timing my pauses to read the letters.

[Rickster]

I’m really enjoying this season, maybe more than the prior ones, but I find the insertion of the blogger, which I guess is an attempt to be relevant  in showing the impact of social media, to be really clunkily done and awkward.

[Brattinella]

4 minutes ago, Rickster said:

I’m really enjoying this season, maybe more than the prior ones, but I find the insertion of the blogger, which I guess is an attempt to be relevant  in showing the impact of social media, to be really clunkily done and awkward.

I thought I was the only one!  I loathe the blogger.

[ShelleySue]

I'm so enthralled with Season 3 on Masterpiece that I decided to go back and watch the first two seasons.  I have some questions on Season 2.  I went back and read all of your comments and couldn't find these mentioned here.

- Sara's address was in David Walker's pager. They tracked her through utility bills.  I get that and I understand that she was in his pager because he was using her "services."

- Colin's address was in David Walker's pager. I assume that's because David Walker was setting up Colin with the rape accusation.  Or was it because of the business relationship?  Was the business thing a coincidence or did Colin purposely get acquainted with him so he could ask whatever questions he was asking?

- Marion's parents' address was in David Walker's pager.  This is the one I really don't understand.  She admitted to living (breaking in) in her parents' house for a short while while they were traveling.  But why would David Walker have gone to the house?  What was their relationship?

[krankydoodle]

4 hours ago, Rickster said:

I find the insertion of the blogger, which I guess is an attempt to be relevant  in showing the impact of social media, to be really clunkily done and awkward.

I wonder if this is another case where scenes have been cut from the PBS broadcast that would explain her role better.

[12catcrazy]

23 minutes ago, krankydoodle said:

I wonder if this is another case where scenes have been cut from the PBS broadcast that would explain her role better.

I watched episode 3 last night and since I don't know how to do the hidden spoiler alert, I won't say what happened, but I think from THAT it becomes apparent that what this blogger does has consequences, as does the impact of social media.  

[atlantaloves]

Oh yeah, I screamed OHHHHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOO....talk about a cliff hanger.  But seriously, he is such a rotten person, you can't get too upset. 

[SunnyBeBe]

After last night's episode, I'm not thinking some totally different about what happened to Haley.  Does this series normally do big twists at the end? 

[geekgirl921]

Well, I was wrong. Elliot is a lot older than I thought so he definitely could have been involved though I don't think he was. 

[zoey1996]

I need a scorecard to keep track!

OK, Pete survives the knifing but dies in hospital after surgery.  His widow or partner, don't recall if they were married, will have his financial house of cards to deal with now.

Jamie and Elliott are off the hook, because Elliott went on a school ski vacation too close to the time when Hayley disappeared and was murdered.

Chris had a run of bad luck (porn accusation that turned out to be unfounded, being sacked by his firm because of it), and add in mental health and drug abuse issues, but once he stopped lying makes a credible case for him not being the culprit.

Leaving Tim, former abusive husband, accused of emotionally abusing a patient, if not physically,  as prime suspect.  

Lastly, the blogger is arrested for contributing to Pete's attack.  Poor thing, just wanted to work as a paid journalist.  

Cassie and Sonny both have complications in their personal lives.  I do hope Cassie and her father can mend fences.  I feel badly for Sonny's wife, but it was her mistake that led to their separation, and Sonny's learning to get along without her.

[geekgirl921]

30 minutes ago, zoey1996 said:

I need a scorecard to keep track!

OK, Pete survives the knifing but dies in hospital after surgery.  His widow or partner, don't recall if they were married, will have his financial house of cards to deal with now.

Jamie and Elliott are off the hook, because Elliott went on a school ski vacation too close to the time when Hayley disappeared and was murdered.

Chris had a run of bad luck (porn accusation that turned out to be unfounded, being sacked by his firm because of it), and add in mental health and drug abuse issues, but once he stopped lying makes a credible case for him not being the culprit.

Leaving Tim, former abusive husband, accused of emotionally abusing a patient, if not physically,  as prime suspect.  

Lastly, the blogger is arrested for contributing to Pete's attack.  Poor thing, just wanted to work as a paid journalist.  

Cassie and Sonny both have complications in their personal lives.  I do hope Cassie and her father can mend fences.  I feel badly for Sonny's wife, but it was her mistake that led to their separation, and Sonny's learning to get along without her.

I also thought it was ridiculous for her to suggest that they ask the girls. Children should not get a vote in their parents' marriage!

[atlantaloves]

Oh yes, I wanted to bitch slap Sonny's wife into next week, who does she think she is? Well, she's an ugly cow and he is lucky to be rid of her. I love him. Great episode as usual. Yeah, I think the doctor is guilty, but they always surprise you on this show.

[tootsie]

After ep 5 of season 3, I'm fairly delighted that it might be the doc, whose arrogance annoyed me and whose kindnesses always seemed fake. Of course, I never guess the real culprit in this type of show so there will probably be a huge twist at the reveal that I should have seen coming. 

I really enjoy the way this drama is filmed and acted. The camera is so close to the speaker sometimes! No tear falls unnoticed. Following Chris's eye movements during the interrogation practically gave me motion sickness. His acting really sold his story for me.

An  enjoyable drama on many levels, though the "guv" leaving that folder behind in the coffee shop did not ring true to character for me, even as sleep deprived as she was.

Looking forward to the conclusion this Sunday.

[Ohwell]

I didn't feel sorry for the blogger because she was basically inciting people to go after Pete.  I don't care about her failed journalism career and I  hope she got some time in jail.

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

3 hours ago, tootsie said:

After ep 5 of season 3, I'm fairly delighted that it might be the doc, whose arrogance annoyed me and whose kindnesses always seemed fake. Of course, I never guess the real culprit in this type of show so there will probably be a huge twist at the reveal that I should have seen coming. 

I really enjoy the way this drama is filmed and acted. The camera is so close to the speaker sometimes! No tear falls unnoticed. Following Chris's eye movements during the interrogation practically gave me motion sickness. His acting really sold his story for me.

An  enjoyable drama on many levels, though the "guv" leaving that folder behind in the coffee shop did not ring true to character for me, even as sleep deprived as she was.

Looking forward to the conclusion this Sunday.

Yes, Chris's acting with all the eye and facial movements sure looks like someone who really does have a md condition.  So sick of the girl blogger, throw the book at her.

[elle]

I was able to catch the red letters for this episode - DVLA -  acronym for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.  Do the red letters in the credits refer to something that happened in that episode or a hint for the next one?

Edited May 7, 2019 by elle

[Mermaid Under]

Quote

I need a scorecard to keep track!

Which is totally what I love about this and a lot of other British dramas.  They are complex, but not like Lost, playing silly parlor tricks for the sake of social media.  Slowly, like in life, it unfolds that everyone was lying, but for different and very real reasons, not because they were guilty of murder.  I'm not sure I caught everything, but they cleared everyone but the doctor and poor dead Pete?  Or did Pete just turn out to be a rotten salesman with a witch of a wife who only came around when he was dying?

Quote

I don't care about her failed journalism career and I  hope she got some time in jail.

I cheered when they were loading the blogger in the police car.   She had a reason for her behavior, and they let her have her moment. Everyone can come up with what they think is a plausible reason for what they do, regardless of how heinous it seems to everyone else.  It is how the human brain works. 

Edited May 7, 2019 by Mermaid Under

[geekgirl921]

3 hours ago, Mermaid Under said:

Which is totally what I love about this and a lot of other British dramas.  They are complex, but not like Lost, playing silly parlor tricks for the sake of social media.  Slowly, like in life, it unfolds that everyone was lying, but for different and very real reasons, not because they were guilty of murder.  I'm not sure I caught everything, but they cleared everyone but the doctor and poor dead Pete?  Or did Pete just turn out to be a rotten salesman with a witch of a wife who only came around when he was dying?

I cheered when they were loading the blogger in the police car.   She had a reason for her behavior, and they let her have her moment. Everyone can come up with a what they think is a plausible reason for what they do, regardless of how heinous it seems to everyone else.  It is how the human brain works. 

No, they cleared everyone but the doctor and the guy living in the van who's name escapes me at the moment. I don't think the wife was a witch. Pete was not only a bad salesman, he steals money when he is up against the wall. It's a pattern with him. 

[12catcrazy]

I totally enjoy this show (and frankly, it puts most American police shows to shame).   For the "trivial", Sonny's wife really has a pair of balls - SHE left the marriage because she found her "soul mate" and now she is back and trying to guilt Sonny into taking her back.  Let the girls decide - yeah, right.   If he was still in love with his ex and was willing to forgive, that's one thing, but he really doesn't seem to want her back, and using the kids, well, that is something else.

I really hope that Cassie gives that nice man (former cop?) a chance, and I also hope that she does mend it with her father.   I don't understand why adult children find it so hard to deal with their widowed parents moving on and finding love again.   Life is for the living, and no bereaved widow/er should have to live their life the way the adult children want them to live it! 

About the case: I think the doctor is involved.  We have been shown that he is capable of violence and has a temper.  They have now found some of the dead girl's belongings in his home.  The only other thing I can think is that maybe his ex-wife is involved in some way (for example, she hit the girl with a car) and the doctor is covering up for HER.   I think that Chris is innocent and the dead salesman probably was also (but he was a scumbag in other ways).  

Edited May 7, 2019 by 12catcrazy
typo

[bosawks]

I can't tell if the Doctor is the best suspect because he's the best suspect or that he's the best suspect because I want him to be the best suspect because I HATE him.

The actor is really doing the slippery, slime ball underneath with a hint of something even worse lurking very, very well.

[tootsie]

Re Cassie and her dad. I don't know if her concerns about him are legit. Who's the one with the problem? I didn't like her dad's significant other but I don't get the feeling that Cassie is holding on to her dad because of her own lack of social life. My take is that she simply doesn't like or trust his woman friend, though I wish she wouldn't have rebuffed his gesture of affection.  Those child/parent issues can be so very complicated!

[Pickles]

1 hour ago, tootsie said:

Re Cassie and her dad. I don't know if her concerns about him are legit. Who's the one with the problem? I didn't like her dad's significant other but I don't get the feeling that Cassie is holding on to her dad because of her own lack of social life. My take is that she simply doesn't like or trust his woman friend, though I wish she wouldn't have rebuffed his gesture of affection.  Those child/parent issues can be so very complicated!

 Cassie feels like the dad's girlfriend is just after his money. The girlfriend had mentioned how Cassie's dad was spoiling her and taking her on trips, etc and she was loving every minute of it, you could tell. Hopefully, the girlfriend won't drain his bank account and then dump him, leaving Cassie to deal with a devastated/depressed father. 

[Ohwell]

While I can certainly understand Cassie's concern about her father, the bottom line is, it's his money, and barring any kind of dementia, he should be able to enjoy himself with his lady friend and spend it as he pleases.  But as I said, I know it's difficult for Cassie to accept that.  I've missed some parts of this show but I remember a scene where he got angry and defensive with her, so maybe she should try a different approach by getting to know the woman better.  Then she could gauge whether the woman really cares about the father, or if she's just a gold digger. 

[plurie]

It's odd that none of the (now ex-)wives were ever suspects.

Since this wasn't the final episode, I think the scummy doc is NOT the culprit, but that someone planted the evidence in his house. I don't know if his ex-wife had access to the house, but she seems the most likely murderer to me.

Cassie is concerned that her dad is developing dementia (left the stove on) and that the girlfriend is a golddigger. How much money does he really have, though? They're not exactly living in a mansion.

[AZChristian]

Since Sunday is Mother's Day AND the finale of "Unforgotten," I've put in my gift request to hubby (whose annual question is, "You're  not my mother . . . why am I supposed to give you a present?").

I'm going to spend four hours in the afternoon watching all the previous episodes in this season, followed by watching the finale.

I love this show . . . and almost any other show with Nicola Walker.

[12catcrazy]

1 hour ago, plurie said:

It's odd that none of the (now ex-)wives were ever suspects.

Since this wasn't the final episode, I think the scummy doc is NOT the culprit, but that someone planted the evidence in his house. I don't know if his ex-wife had access to the house, but she seems the most likely murderer to me.

Cassie is concerned that her dad is developing dementia (left the stove on) and that the girlfriend is a golddigger. How much money does he really have, though? They're not exactly living in a mansion.

I agree with you about the ex-wives.   Chris' ex-wife is dead, so no-go there.  The show is certainly spending enough time with the other ex-wives (the dead guy didn't have a wife then).  The way these shows work, there will be a reason for that.  My bet is going to be on Doc/Ex (as I stated up thread).  Maybe the ex did whatever to injure the girl and the doctor tried to administer some kind of first aid.?  Dunno, but it will be one or the other of the two.  

Re Cassie's Dad and girlfriend.  Maybe Cassie thinks the relationship is going too quickly; maybe there is some jealousy (Dad having somebody and she doesn't), maybe there is a real concern about Dad blowing his retirement funds on the new sweetie and Cassie will have to pick up the financial slack...   I've been on both ends of this (as an adult daughter with a widowed father who felt it his right to spend as much on the girlfriend as he wanted) and as now the SO of a divorced man with 2 daughters - one a hard worker and the other a spoiled brat "Daddie's girl" who resents every dime her father spends on me, so I can see this from a number of angles.   As far as Dad leaving the stove on - I was a young married woman back in 1980 and working a shift job at the phone company.  I got home at 10 pm to find a partially melted enamel pot on the lit stove while my 24 year old husband was in bed snoring away.  He was far from senile - just dog tired and had put on a pot of water for tea, poured the tea and forgot to turn off the stove.   It can happen to anybody - just as Cassie was dog-tired and left behind a police folder that got a suspect stabbed. 

[plurie]

15 hours ago, 12catcrazy said:

 As far as Dad leaving the stove on - I was a young married woman back in 1980 and working a shift job at the phone company.  I got home at 10 pm to find a partially melted enamel pot on the lit stove while my 24 year old husband was in bed snoring away.  He was far from senile - just dog tired and had put on a pot of water for tea, poured the tea and forgot to turn off the stove.   It can happen to anybody - just as Cassie was dog-tired and left behind a police folder that got a suspect stabbed. 

I'm not saying that Cassie's dad has dementia, only that CASSIE is afraid he might.

[12catcrazy]

11 hours ago, plurie said:

I'm not saying that Cassie's dad has dementia, only that CASSIE is afraid he might.

Exactly.  Because Dad is an old guy and one of the first things that is going to go through her head is that Dad is mentally slipping and that may be also how she views the quick (?) Romance with the girlfriend.  

[bosawks]

I know Cassie’s dad is all in his feels about things but Cassie is having a no good horrible day regarding the death of Peter.

I would hope that my dad would maybe, I don’t know, table shit until the death of someone I might have a small part in is less of an open, gaping fucking wound.