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November 19, 2006: Prime Suspect 7, Part 2
Well, we all knew that Mr. Phillips was somehow involved, but all along I felt like he was too much of a milquetoast to commit a crime as grievous as the one committed against Sallie. His reaction after his wife refused to allow him back in the house — of immediately looking around, worried what the neighbors would think — was greasy and perfectly fit with my impression of him. What I did worry about, however, was that Sallie’s dad would have one of his fits of rage and seek his own vengeance against Mr. Phillips. Now it seems like the whole family could be a target for Sallie’s father.
Speaking of Sallie’s father, what an amazing actor. He has the full range of anger, resignation, depression, sorrow and familial devotion and adoration. In the scene when he frantically grabs at his dead daughter’s backpack, to see such a hard-nosed jerk grieve with such depth, I was stunned. And the strange Nirvana quoting? Well, let’s just say that that has to be the first time Nirvana has been quoted in an episode of Masterpiece Theatre.
But let’s talk about Jane. Jane, per usual, astounded. The scene in the bathroom with Danny, when he walks in on her crying and she tries — successfully — to stop her tears: she is magnificent. Britain’s famous stiff upper lip never looked so good. And her father’s funeral made me ache. I loved that she was late — hungover, no less — and that her heels noisily clicked on the church floor as she rushed in; only a woman could have written in that little detail. The unbearable pain of watching her alienate her sister and niece in the bar afterward.… Those scenes were practically unwatchable for me. Poor Jane, poor Jane, she was completely unraveling in those moments. I felt like screaming, “For god’s sake, don’t drive people away!” And when she left the bar and got in her car, I did actually scream, “For god’s sake, don’t drive away!” I mean, she was seriously soused. Oh, Jane.
The real star of this show, though — or at least the costar — is that remarkable Laura Greenwood, the actress who played Penny. Greenwood is an actress playing an actress, and Penny is an amazing actress. She is a master manipulator. And when I realized her sinister side (which, trusting fool that I am, took me all the way until she took her shirt off in front of her father), I was shaken to the core. I still am, one could say. She is evil and freaky and mean and totally crazy. Prone to fits of range, sweet as pie when it serves her, smart as hell and utterly remorseless. I’m scared of a fictional character, truly scared. She manipulated even Jane Tennison!! Is that even conceivable?! So when Jane saw herself in Penny, that’s what she was seeing — the evil side of the art of human manipulation, a skill that Jane has spent her life putting to use for the side of right. When Penny was playing Jane’s lost-chance-at-motherhood strings with all those references to her terminated pregnancy… it was as if Penny were speaking to Jane from inside her own brain. But the betrayal of this faux mother/daughter relationship and Penny’s sociopathic nuttiness combined to validate Jane’s decision to not have a family. And when Sallie’s dad thanked Jane, and shook her hand so passionately, that was a validation of Jane’s entire career. These writers are my heroes. The stunning psychology of this complex web of characters… I am just heartbroken that there will be no more Jane in our future. This lady is a literary treasure, truly.
I will say, though, I am pissed off that they didn’t let us see Jane with a stripper. She has so earned it!
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Nov 20, 2006 4:23 AM
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I'm in awe after seeing this final Prime Suspect. Your review was right on!
Penny did manipulate all the way through. Was I the only one questioning why Jane was taking such an interest in the girl? Why would she take her to her parents' house? Didn't it occur to her that her parents would wonder where she was?
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Nov 20, 2006 9:02 AM
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I'm so sad there won't be any more Prime Suspects! Helen Mirren's my heroine, and I kept telling myself, "well, people do come out of retirement, maybe there could be another one." But I read a great profile of Helen Mirren in the New Yorker recently and she made it pretty clear there won't be any more, and, in fact, that she felt it had gone on too long as it is. Damn!
This was an amazing way to end the series, though, so I shouldn't complain. Such complex characters and issues and such a good story. Funny how you rarely see stuff this good on American network TV. I will sorely miss Jane Tennison and Co.
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Nov 20, 2006 10:32 AM
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I was right after all, I knew Penny and her father were involved somehow. I did get the feeling that Penny was guilty from the get go, but that didn't ruin my enjoyment of this mini.
There were times I was rooted to my seat, just basically marveling at Helen Mirren's subtle performance.
I actually related to Jane's pain at her father's funeral, I to was late for my own father's funeral, not hung over mind you, just late. It's just something you don't want to do.
I thought the ending was perfect though, Jane just walking out. It seemed realistic to me, the way it ought to have ended. I too, will miss Prime Suspect, very few cop dramas get my full attention. Prime Suspect stands out because of the writing, performances and quality, it'll be surely missed.
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Nov 20, 2006 11:46 AM
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Sallie's dad said it all at the end when he took Jane's hand and said: "Thank you. For everything, thank you."
That wasn't only from him but from everyone who watched over the years.
As for the stripper; this was a fitting ending. She leaves and does not plan to return. She walks away from her previous life and into a new one. If she had stayed and interacted with the team and the stripper it would mean that she wasn't ready to move on. Jane's time with the police is over, no reason to linger.
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Nov 20, 2006 3:15 PM
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Sallie's father was played by the wonderful Gary Lewis. Many may remember him as the dad in "Billy Elliot." The scene where Dad Elliot crossed the picket line was one of the movie's most powerful and brought tears to my eyes.
And, yes, I agree that it was perfect for Jane to skip the party. She was ready to start a new life.
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Nov 20, 2006 4:07 PM
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