In the mood for a slow burning, psychological thriller on Netflix? The Retribution TV series – originally titled One of Us in the United Kingdom – fits the bill nicely. A smart and clever series, it’s a tale of morality, loyalty, and murder, with suspense and a cinematic-style presentation. At four episodes, it’s a mini-series, about four hours total, made for bingeing.
Retribution opens with a wedding scene, followed by the scene of a tragic murder. Two families are affected: The Eliots and the Douglases, living on adjacent farms in rural Scotland. Now, they’ve each lost a child. An ironic twist in the first episode forces them together, though it’s clear there’s underlying tension. When a car crashes during a severe storm, weather prevents the police and medical help from getting to the Eliots’ farm. Another crime occurs, a murder, and the guilty party could only be one of the small group present that night.
Before the police do arrive – the next day – a cover-up conspiracy forms, though not all agree that’s the best course of action. We know at some point the plan will unravel. It’s a classic mystery setup.
Claire (Joanna Vanderham)
Louise Elliot (Juliet Stevenson) is unsteady and moody, a recovered alcoholic. Her adult children, Claire (Joanna Vanderham) and Rob (Joe Dempsie), try to protect her. Louise’s husband left years ago, and none of the kids are in touch with him. Bill and Moira Douglas (John Lynch from The Fall and Julie Graham) are left with their teenage son, Jamie. He’s sullen, angry at his parents for the decisions they make and what he sees as a lack of trust.
As Retribution progresses, Claire emerges as the conscience of the group, though nothing is black and white. Claire makes her own choice when confronted with the choice of concealing evidence or – she thinks – incriminating a family member.
Juliet (Laura Fraser)
DI Juliet Wallace (Laura Fraser, who we recently saw in Loch Ness), the lead investigator, faces her own dilemma. Single mom of a daughter with a life-threatening illness, she’s looking for a way to fund controversial surgery that can’t be done locally. She’s trying to solve the Eliot and Douglas murder case while committing, then concealing, her own misdeeds.
At times, Retribution takes Lifetime movie, tabloid turns, wallowing in the sadness and grief, but these pass quickly. (We also have a quibble with the mid-series drug related death.) Well-acted and well-written, the show’s other strengths prevail, resulting in a tense, tight crime drama. In true classic British mystery style, there are late-story twists, but they don’t feel forced.
Harry and Jack Williams created and wrote the Retribution TV series. It was directed by William MacGregor. BBC first aired the series as One of Us in August, 2016. Netflix secured the international distribution rights, labeling Retribution as a Netflix Original. Regardless of the title, it’s one of the better online streaming series so far in 2018.
There is a glaring hole in the plot. Bill is arrested because his prints are on the envelope found in Lee’s pocket. In Bill’s confession, replete with flashback, he never gives Lee an envelope before they part ways. Lee does not see Bill again prior to killing Adam and Grace. Lee may have figured out the Braeston Farm address from papers in the apartment, but he wouldn’t have gotten an envelope with Bill’s finger prints. The prints are the key evidence…and Bill bever gave Lee an envelope.
I was wondering the exact same ting.
That wasn’t the only hole.why was Rob Elliott acting so guilty and suspicious when the killers face ( the junkie)was shown on TV. His weird behaviour continued when he pretended to call an ambulance and the police.we wait all sought that he had some serious issues to hide (drug connection? Somehow behind the murders. In the end tho nothing wtf?? ( apologies if I just fell asleep and misses some) besides that glaring hole not a bad show, well acted