Silent Witness returned with its nail-biting second episode of the latest series on Tuesday, leaving viewers feeling queasy as one character met a gruesome end.
The recent episodes saw Dr Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox) and Jack Hodgson (David Caves) welcome two fresh faces to their team – Harriet Maven played by Maggie Steed stepping in as the new head of The Lyell Centre, and Francesca Mills portraying talented Crime Analyst Kit Brooks.
The instalment’s plot centred around the distressing situation of Benjamin, depicted by David Hargreaves, who was hunting for his missing friend Gloria. Caught up in a malicious swindle, the tale took a grim turn when an attempt was made on Benjamin’s life, which ultimately led to him accidentally killing the scammer and then assaulting a couple in Gloria’s former home, not realising she had already passed away.
The story wrapped up with the actual criminal being captured, the Express noted.
Social media buzzed with viewer reactions about the series so far, with several finding the segments revolving around Benjamin particularly harrowing.
An angered fan posted online: “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so angry at characters on the TV … I feel positively sick at the storyline sick! ” Another distressed watcher tweeted: “I can’t watch! ! #silentwitness,” and yet another commented on their discomfort, saying: “I am finding this more upsetting than some of the violent murders we see in this programme. #SilentWitness.”
Another viewer expressed their reaction vividly: “Aww my toes are curling Poor Benjamin,” while a fifth shared their unease: “So uncomfortable with this storyline.”
One fan admitted to being shaken by the episode: “I’m traumatised during this episode.”
The intrigue didn’t stop there in Monday night’s episode of Silent Witness; the absence of two major characters had fans clamouring for answers. Devotees of the show were quick to question the whereabouts of Velvy (played by Alastair Michael) and Gabriel (portrayed by Aki Omoshaybi).
Dissatisfaction was palpable on Twitter, with one regular posting: “No Velvey or Gabriel? Not a good start.”
Queries came thick and fast from others: “Will Velvy and Gabriel be returning to this series? #SilentWitness.”
Another fan lamented openly: “No Gabriel, Velvy or Cara is disappointing #silentwitness.”
Next week’s episode teases a new twist in the 10-part drama as the team investigates the brutal murder of an estate agent killed with a claw hammer.
The preview reveals more: “Part one of two. The team is called to a crime scene only to find some unexpectedly familiar faces. As the murder weapon disappears, what seems like a straightforward case becomes a complex web of conspiracy that entangles them with the upper echelons of local government.”
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