Episode Seven

Published Thursday, Mar 20 2008, 22:00 GMT | By Ben Rawson-Jones | 1 comment

Ashes To Ashes really grows some balls by taking the bold decision to kill off PC Shaz towards the end of this impressive episode. However, these same gonads then immediately retract when the largely irrelevant character is suddenly brought back to life by Alex Drake. It's a real shame, as the series is crying out for an unexpected dramatic twist as it scampers along towards a finale that presumably involves the fate of Drake's parents.

Nonetheless, the dialogue is noticeably wittier and more incisive than usual, with the OMD/OCD confusion and random '90s boyband references certainly raising a few laughs. There is also a variety of zany, comedic moments to tickle the ribs, with Gene Hunt's fatally flawed attempts at a televised appeal and Chris's venture down a U-Bend to retrieve a gun.

This all balances neatly alongside the cleverly structured and intriguing central case involving fundraiser Gil Hollis, played with panache by Matthew Macfadyen. In addition, a nice trip down memory lane to the days of Police 5 was topped off with a cameo by the legendary Shaw Taylor.

It's just a shame that the makers copped out by saving a certain cop from an unexpected death.

More: TV, Ashes To Ashes

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Helvetica Bold, on April 2nd, 2008
Lay off Shaz. She's one of the best characters in this show, likeable and multi-layered. She has developed beautifully and the writers have given her some fabulous lines through the series. Her complicated sexual politics make her the most sophisticated individual in the 1981 posse, and the mix of naivety and courage makes her consistently interesting to watch. Of all the main bunch, I'd say the one who contributed least to the mix is Ray; Dean Andrews made the very most of what he was given, but I hope the writers cut him some slack in Series 2 – Ray is a cipher compared to Gene and the others. Even Viv had become a more vital character than Ray by the end of the series. If Ray was so lovable in LOM (which I haven't seen), he needs some TLC in Ashes 2.

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