published on July 28, 2024 in blog

Masterpiece Theatre Prime Suspect 4: The Lost Child

The stricken young mother (Beatie Edney) identifies a man, Hughes (Robert Glenister), with whom she'd previously had an overly close encounter in a park. A known pedophile, he's hauled in as a prime suspect but let go for lack of evidence. The child's body is later found in a river.

The stricken young mother (Beatie Edney) identifies a man, Hughes (Robert Glenister), with whom she’d previously had an overly close encounter in a park. A known pedophile, he’s hauled in as a prime suspect but let go for lack of evidence. The child’s body is later found in a river.

When Hughes’ partner, Anne (Lesley Sharp), is shown a tape of one of his psychiatric sessions by Tennison’s over-eager colleague (Jack Ellis), she changes her testimony and breaks Hughes’ alibi. Rearrested, Hughes breaks free and holds Anne and her young daughters hostage. Final twist is OK, but not unexpected.

As a regular drama episode, “The Lost Child” is solid enough, but there’s little of the psychological complexity thatfueled the first and third outings.

There’s even a by-the-numbers feel to the case that, though suitably sordid, doesn’t come off on your hands like the subjects of earlier outings. There’s no sense of being dragged through the gutters of London.

Popular on Variety

Paul Billing’s script does a workmanlike job of taking series originator Lynda La Plante’s template but comes up with little fresh. Mirren is fine but has less to work with; too often she’s simply called upon to moon around emoting unspoken fears about her pregnancy.

John Madden’s direction is economical and visually aware. Other credits are up to scratch, with a marginally slicker feel than previously.

Jump to Comments