We’re almost to the halfway point of Gracepoint, and it’s definitely rolling on all cylinders now. Tensions are running high as the police have made little progress in the murder investigation of 12 year old Danny Solano.
As I predicted, they make you think that murderer is someone else than they did last week. Last week was (of course) Danny’s father, Mark. This week, between a drifter and Chloe’s boyfriend, Dean. They had their hands full with new suspects. I suspect (see what I did there?) that they will have more before they have fewer, and the mystery will be more muddled before it’s clearer. But dang if it’s not entertaining.
The mystery plot is extremely thick, and even though I know they’re yanking us around with the “whodunnit” half of this show, the character driven part of the show is incredible. It’s so well acted. Of course, you expect great things from David Tennant and Anna Gunn, but when you get into the rest of the cast, the brilliance shines even brighter. Some standouts include Breaking Bad’s Kevin Rankin as the preacher, who is clearly hiding several things, and Nick Nolte’s Jack Reinhold, who has not quite had enough to do. Virginia Kull also stunned this week as a tormented Beth Solano. I’m not sure what a mother in her position would really look like, but she sure can get the sympathy vote from me.
The one thing that bothers me about this show is how well they ignore the extremely creepy people. That lady in the trailer park who is extremely nutso, for instance. How is she not a suspect? I guess crazy in itself isn’t a crime but still, she gives me the heebs. I think Rankin is going out of his way to make the preacher creepy too, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. His character fascinates me.
Of course, week in and week out I am stunned by the performances of Anna Gunn and David Tennant. Tennant is such a force in the way presents himself. Everything feels like a mystery with him. No wonder they wanted him to do both versions of this show. He can show you something totally different day in and day out, but it still feels right for the character. Gunn is a different (but great) animal. This performance of hers has so many sides to it. She’s a loving mother, a concerned friend, and an excellent detective all rolled into one. This is probably the one situation she could be in that would blur those lines the most. What a compelling, strong performance she has given so far.
Can I throw out a theory here? I think Ellie’s son killed Danny. He’s behaving the most suspiciously of all of them. He deleted all his texrs from Danny, and he’s creeping around town and his mom’s investigation like it’s his job. Of course, the way next week goes could make my opinion completely different. We’ll just have to see, eh?
What did you guys think of this week’s episode? Did it compel you? Are you still interested in the mystery? Let us know!
[Photo via FOX]
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Danny was throttled to death facing his killer. I doubt Ellie’s son would have that kind of strength. Obviously, though, Tommy knows more than he’s saying.
Danny was “throttled” in Broadchurch. Gracepoint’s Danny was killed by a blow to the head. Anyone could do that, Tommy included.
With all the talk of how this was just a remake….I’m loving the differences between Broadchurch and Gracepoint. Miller is much more exasperated with Carver. I loved the line about how his kids’ manners must really suck. That one made me laugh right out loud. Carver is more ragged and much more unlikeable than DI Alec Hardy….and I love David Tennant, watching everything he does with great enthusiasm. It’s kinda hard to watch him be so unlikeable, but he does it so very well
I had faith this show would be great and my faith has been vindicated. If Broadchurch was a unicorn it gave birth to a beautiful flying horse. Both are magical. Gracepoint has become its own beautiful beast and I’m completely gorgonized by it.