Whitstable Pearl Season 2 – Review
Director: Jon Jones, Matt Carter
Writer: Øystein Karlsen, Julie Wassmer, Mike Walden, Jess Williams, Kam Odedra (Screenplay)
Cast
- Kerry Godliman (After Life)
- Howard Charles (The Scorpion King: Book of Souls)
- Frances Barber (Goal!)
- Sophia Del Pizzo (Angel Has Fallen)
- Rohan Nedd (Blue Story)
- Isobelle Molloy (Maleficent)
Plot: Local restaurant owner Pearl Nolan sets up a local detective agency after undergoing police training in an earlier career. She is soon embroiled in her first case when she discovers the body of her close friend Vinnie.
Runtime: 49 Minutes per Episodes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict on Whitstable Pearl Season 2
Babylon (D. Jon Jones)
Babylon takes us back to the Whitstable, where Pearl (Godliman) and Mike (Charles) have moved on with their lives. They have both started dating new people. Elsewhere, a local is involved in a car crash as well as being linked with the abduction of his child. Mike is leading the investigation, which ends up needing Pearl to support, using her connection to the neighbourhood.
This is a welcome return for the characters even if they have moved on in their personal lives. It brings a complex and sensitive case to life with a missing child. This offers plenty of mystery and doesn’t make anything as clear as most detective shows. (5/5)
Night Terrors (D. Jon Jones)
Night Terrors starts as Mike finds himself trapped at home with a broken leg watching the neighbours. Pearl is hired to investigate a potential affair even if she is reluctant to get involved. Meanwhile, Mike witnesses an attack from his window and can’t get involved, relying on his team to witness the crime. However, it is only Pearl who can give the time to help him play Rear Window.
This is more of a fun episode which follows a detective in the Rear Window position watching over his neighbours. The idea he believes there is a crime about to happen shows us just how dangerous people can be behind closed doors. Even if things take unexpected twists along the way. Away from the crime, we get to see how the relationship the pair have started might be more dealing with their own problems. (4/5)
The Offer (D. Jon Jones)
The Offer starts when a local pub owner is looking to sell up against the will of the local community. When the deal goes through, the buyer is found dead on the beach the next day. Mike reluctantly lets Pearl help with the investigation. She knows the tidal patterns which could give a better idea of the time of death. The mystery includes a host of suspects from around the neighbourhood or could it be someone who has lost even more?
This episode is an interesting mystery and shows the close everyone around the community is. It shows just how far people could go to protect it. Away from the crime, we see how Pearl and Mike have been reacting to the other’s new love interest. This is a good addition to the crimes and offers plenty of suspects throughout the whole case. (4/5)
The Gumshoe and the Femme Fatale (D. Matt Carter)
The Gumshoe and the Femme Fatale starts when a 70s Scream Queen changes her will leaving everything to the animals and housekeeper. It sees the housekeeper turning to Pearl for advice after believing someone is after them. When Pearl turns to Mike for advice, he dismisses the threat, however, the actress is attacked. Now, Pearl and Mike are investigating the case and must figure out what is really going on.
This does present another interesting case, where Pearl takes the lead in the investigation. It shows a much bigger case going on, which offers a few twists and turns along the way. Elsewhere, Mike acts a lot colder than normal, showing his growing frustration with his life. It continues to build an uneasy tension between Mike and Pearl. (3/5)
Hidden Treasures (D. Matt Carter)
Hidden Treasures sees Mike and Nikki working together on a robbery at a local pub. However, Mike refuses to accept any help from Pearl. Elsewhere, Pearl is hired by her own mother Dolly (Barber) who believes somebody is breaking into her home. However, Pearl believes it could be more mental health problems which need sorting. They set out to solve the mystery, keeping the pair separate for their investigations.
This is one of the odd episodes because it keeps Pearl and Mike apart. The cases feel slow and unimportant never reaching a serious level. However, it gives Pearl a personal problem to overcome with her son visiting Canada for a while. It turns more into a reflective episode that could have had more meat in the middle. However, it does strike a more serious note by the end. (3/5)
To Those We Love (D. Matt Carter)
To Those We Love starts when Pearl is catering a wedding and a dead body is discovered. She must put her differences aside with Mike to help learn about the guest’s behavior during the wedding. Once the investigation starts unfolding, the clues point at something more behind the wedding. While not everybody is happy to go through the wedding and might have had a motive.
This is a nice conclusion to the series. It brings Mike and Pearl’s relationship full circle as we see how they have bigger problems in their lives. The case itself has plenty of mystery even if it is more soap opera style. We are left with a lot more to be told in the future, which could bring plenty more to the table. (4/5)
Overall
Whitstable Pearl Season 2 brings back Mike and Pearl for another series if crimes to solve. The cases mix between bigger and more entertaining, to smaller and not as interesting. Away from the crimes, the will they won’t they feel between Mike and Pearl becomes more complicated now they are both dating other people. The show is an entertaining series of crimes and a place we could easily return to for many more cases in the future. Kerry Godliman’s positive character works wonderfully with the brooding Howard Charles, giving the show an extra reason to come back.
Where to Watch
Whitstable Pearl Series 2 and Series 1 and 2 Box sets arrive on DVD and digital on 25 March 2024 from Acorn Media International.
Final Thoughts – Whitstable Pearl Season 2 is an enjoyable return to the mysteries on the coast.
