These once again approximately 52 minutes we got here were the third episode from the successful British crime/cop drama series Luther. This also aired over ten years ago for the first time, so no huge surprise that the show is over by now, especially in the face of lead actor Idris Elba's Hollywood success, but these episodes are nonetheless very much worth watching today in the early 2020s. No matter if we are talking first watch or rewatch which it was in my case. The writer is once again Neil Cross for whom this show may still be the biggest career achievement and the director here was Sam Miller, who has enjoyed very recent success too awards-wise with his newest project. But we shall talk about that one later on. Instead, let's take a look at what happens in this Luther episode. Once again, we have one key antagonist at the center of it all and this is an occult killer played by Paul Rhys. His character, after a terrible crime, many, many years ago, with which he got away, returns and takes on a new victim. This one here starts with the villain at work just like it was the case with episode two. Also in terms of disguise. We have this killer pose as a cop and ring the door of his victim. Definitely one of the most haunting scenes, also with how Rhys really has it here to look very creepy. Yet competent at the same time. Physically, he reminded me a bit of the young Dieter Laser, especially with the connection to Dr. Heiter from The Human Centipede and the two are equally insanse. I mean Heiter and Rhys' character. The case felt a bit like the very first one from Luther's series premiere because Elba's character is on the bad guy's trail right away and it is all about finding a woman/girl quickly enough so that she will live. Can Luther succeed again? Watch for yourself. I must say that with how much I liked almost everything else about the killer and the investigation here, the eventual solution and how the villain is caught did not impress me too much. Still, just a minor criticism, but I did not think the psychopath would have surrendered as quickly as we are led to believe here. His lack of physical strength was not a problem, but with his mind I expected more resistance. I still like how with these first three episodes, probably more, the question "Who did it?" is never at the center of the story.
In addition to all of that, the plots from the previous episode(s) are continued. Alice Morgan almost turns into a bit of an aide this time already and to me it feels as if we should at least see her as more likable than the rival when it comes to vying for the affection of Luther's wife, especially in that scene in which Alice and said rival share the screen. By the way, they still tried their very best here, just like also in the previous episodes, to make this rival seem as incompetent and despicable as possible. His key story here is that he is beaten up by a bunch of girls, maybe junkies. Enough said. As for the wife, she is almost not present in this film at all. The big exception is the final shot in which we really see that Luther can hope again to somehow get her back. He could actually not be any more different than his competitor. Also like in the previous episodes, Luther is struggling with internal affairs as usual. This almost feels like a running gag by now to be honest and, also as always, he once again manages to get away unharmed in the end. Still there are conflicts, especially with his closest colleague at work and how that one is not totally ready to risk his own job for Luther. In any case, I can say again that these over 50 minutes flew by quickly. They are probably a better watch even when you see it the first time, but the rewatch was still good enough for me to hand out a pretty high rating once more. It was also those small moments that counted. Take the antagonist's tongue in the first scene. Take the first meeting between him and Luther (posing as a fan), take the idea of Luther maybe also becoming as savage as the other cop who almost killed the bad guy years ago or finally take the idea that Alice Morgan maybe really thought in her sociopathic mind that she could help Luther with what he did. Well, actually she did in the end. Was that really the plan? Is she romantically attracted to Luther? I think in terms of sexual attraction, there cannot be any doubt. The relationship between these two is in any case one of the best things about this series and great choice to turn Wilson into a recurring character. This series has been really good with episodes one and two and the high level continues with this one. One of the very best crime series from the 2010s without a doubt. Keep watching.
In addition to all of that, the plots from the previous episode(s) are continued. Alice Morgan almost turns into a bit of an aide this time already and to me it feels as if we should at least see her as more likable than the rival when it comes to vying for the affection of Luther's wife, especially in that scene in which Alice and said rival share the screen. By the way, they still tried their very best here, just like also in the previous episodes, to make this rival seem as incompetent and despicable as possible. His key story here is that he is beaten up by a bunch of girls, maybe junkies. Enough said. As for the wife, she is almost not present in this film at all. The big exception is the final shot in which we really see that Luther can hope again to somehow get her back. He could actually not be any more different than his competitor. Also like in the previous episodes, Luther is struggling with internal affairs as usual. This almost feels like a running gag by now to be honest and, also as always, he once again manages to get away unharmed in the end. Still there are conflicts, especially with his closest colleague at work and how that one is not totally ready to risk his own job for Luther. In any case, I can say again that these over 50 minutes flew by quickly. They are probably a better watch even when you see it the first time, but the rewatch was still good enough for me to hand out a pretty high rating once more. It was also those small moments that counted. Take the antagonist's tongue in the first scene. Take the first meeting between him and Luther (posing as a fan), take the idea of Luther maybe also becoming as savage as the other cop who almost killed the bad guy years ago or finally take the idea that Alice Morgan maybe really thought in her sociopathic mind that she could help Luther with what he did. Well, actually she did in the end. Was that really the plan? Is she romantically attracted to Luther? I think in terms of sexual attraction, there cannot be any doubt. The relationship between these two is in any case one of the best things about this series and great choice to turn Wilson into a recurring character. This series has been really good with episodes one and two and the high level continues with this one. One of the very best crime series from the 2010s without a doubt. Keep watching.