Uncover Hidden Assets season 2 With C.A.B’s Claire Wallace
Director: Thaddeus O’Sullivan, Kadir Ferati Balci
Writer: Mary Fox, Marty Thornton, Sinead Collopy, Peter McKenna, Susan E Connolly (Screenplay)
Cast
- Nora-Jane Noone (The Descent)
- Simone Kirby (Calm with Horses)
- Wouter Hendrickx (De infiltrant)
- Cathy Belton (Nocebo)
- Aaron Monaghan (The Banshees of Inisherin)
- Gilles De Schryver (Above the Law)
Plot: A year on there is a new boss and old enemies. Criminal Asset Bureau’s Claire Wallace finds herself at odds with CTU’s Christian De Jong when CAB is drawn back to the Antwerp investigation. A familiar face returns but can she be trusted?
Runtime: 50 Minute Episodes.
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict on Hidden Assets Season 2
Episode 1 (D. Thaddeus O’Sullivan)
This episode starts with the sudden death of Bibi’s (Kirby) father-in-law and her unwelcoming appearance at his funeral. Sean (Monaghan) heads to Belgium to help wrap up the case, while Emer has moved onto a new career. Christian (Hendrickx) is still investigating the larger investigation in Antwerp. Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Claire Wallace (Noone) has stepped into Emer’s role. The Irish office comes under a viral attack, losing the data which is crucial for the safety of the officers. Meanwhile, Christian believes a new threat is coming to Antwerp.
This is a great way to bring the case back to life. It shows how the two different sides have remained at odds after what happened. However, a new member of the team replacing Emer, shows a more distant side to herself. It poses a new question as the biggest questions were never answered at the end of the first season. (4/5)
Episode 2 (D. Thaddeus O’Sullivan)
This episode sees Bibi come to offer up more evidence behind the previous attacks. She reveals who was behind the terrorist attacks and what they wanted from it. Now both teams must use their skills to track down the next bomber. This involves them looking to open an investigation to someone in higher ranking roles that could cause them to believe they were behind it all.
In this episode, we get to see more of the biggest conspiracy taking over. It keeps the two sides apart, only communicating through calls. This is building up nicely and we are prepared for the next big moment to unfold. However, it is going slower than season one, wanting to put the potential of suspects being lined up. (3/5)
Episode 3 (D. Thaddeus O’Sullivan)
This episode starts with the reveal that Bibi gave Claire. Now, she must turn to Christian as they start searching for potential answers behind a mole. While the two sides are clashing over who should question Bibi, the assassin looking to clean up loose ends has arrived in Ireland. However, a fresh series of clues put the spotlight right back on Bibi.
We continue to see more being built up for a wider series of events. It continues to show Bibi as someone not to be trusted and danger is around every corner for everyone involved. We continue to see the two forces being kept apart, which takes away the dynamic the first series offers. It also feels like everything is being held back a little bit more than expected. (3/5)
Episode 4 (D. Kadir Ferati Balci)
This episode picks up in the aftermath of the attack on Bibi’s home. Claire’s team is searching for the suspect, creating tension with Christian. This leads to Claire leading an operation in Antwerp without informing Christian. Meanwhile, Christian offers protection for Bibi’s family. However, the tension between the two starts to rise as things start getting out of control.
This episode builds the tension between Claire and Christian, offering something different from the previous series. By committing to the two sides having a different operation, we can see just how far Claire will go for answers. Even if it means treading on other feet. The bigger mystery seems to be putting things in line for the wider threat. However, the damaged relationship between the forces could cause bigger problems. (4/5)
Episode 5 (D. Kadir Ferati Balci)
The episode starts by showing the suspects looking to clean up the loose ends the authorities started getting close to. It forces the hand of the highest-ranking member of the group, who finds himself needing to make a deal to clean up the mess. Meanwhile, Claire believes the team has everything they need to bring down the people behind everything. As she starts working with Christian to bring down the people who took the lives of many the year before.
This shows the teams needing to uncover the mole within the Belgium office. However, they have covered up their tracks extremely well. Now the teams are facing the dangers they have seen before, as the prime suspect is pressing for more answers. It is setting up for a showdown between the sides, that could finally expose the truth. (4/5)
Episode 6 (D. Kadir Ferati Balci)
The final episode Claire and Christian must put aside their differences to finally find the people behind the terrorist attack. It means Christian must turn on the people he trusts as he searches for the mole. However, what he doesn’t know is the mole is a lot closer than he imagined. It leads to a much more intense episode which leads to Claire’s team open to working with Bibi for answers.
The final episode leaves us with a dark twist to everything, taking the investigation in a new direction. It does feel like we get a shock value moment too late in the series. Which while effective, could have been even more shocking earlier in the series. As for uncovering the truth, we kind of know what to expect with the direction everything is going in. (3/5)
Overall
Hidden Assets Season 2 does struggle to get going and feels the loss of Emer (Angeline Ball) not returning for the 2nd season. Nora-Jane Noone does well to create a different character a more distant one. The idea the case takes place a year later leaves more questions than answers. When it comes to the main case, the bigger mystery is starting to feel bigger than anything the police authorities could handle.
If you are a fan of the mystery thriller that constantly brings more twists, this is going to be a show you will enjoy. However, I feel this goes a bit too far for the overall truth of events. It takes away the small people involved, leaving us down a path of waiting for the big twist, rather than giving us a big twist.
Where to Watch
Hidden Assets Series Two is set to arrive on DVD on 22 January 2024, alongside Series One & Two Box set, courtesy of Acorn Media International, following its BBC Four transmission. Both series are available on digital now.
Final Thoughts – Hidden Assets Series 2 continues the big mystery but relies on creating more shocking twists along the way.
