Rent Unforgotten: Series 2 (2017)

Unforgotten: Series 2 review by Adrijan Arsovski - Cinema Paradiso

Unforgotten: Series 2 is a poignant murder mystery that picks off where the last season ended (as it’s often the case with these things), following the investigations of our unlikely but likable detective duo DS Sunny Khan (played by Sanjeev Bhaskar) and DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and the troubles during said investigations therein. The second installment of Unforgotten largely plays just like the first series, only that it’s as different as it is the same. Take that as you will, since the series is very idiosyncratic in its nature and the above paradox would best describe something as polarizing as Unforgotten. Now, to recap.

As said, this series sets its plot points in a very idiosyncratic way; in fact, the second installment of Unforgotten continues to pit several peculiar characters just as it did last year: there is the David’s best friend James Gregory, whose past is still haunting him to this very day; then, Paul Nixon, a husband who very much loves his wife, but their relationship is challenged by the interference of the wife Tessa’s past, where she continues to be haunted by an unknown girl who spurts blood from the mouth (an image which she irrefutably refuses to share with Paul); oh, and did I mention a certain Marion Kelsey (because Unforgotten: Series 1 most certainly did).

Marion is Joy’s (Wendy Craig) daughter who has some interesting stories to share with Cassie. But then again, Marion has yet another story to share, i.e. the one where she inadvertently assaulted a police officer during what seemed to be a demonstration for the release of the Guildford 4. Plus, Marion had a roommate named Sinead Mary Quinn, who was incarcerated for alleged IRA activities back in the day. Suddenly, a new motive is brought into question as Marion’s past holds more than what meets the eye.

Did you see an emerging theme here? That’s right: it’s the past and what our characters chose to do or don’t do in order to embrace it (or reject it altogether). To this extent, Marion abruptly ends her conversation with Cassidy and leaves the audience to linger in anticipation of what happens next. Which I won’t dare to spoil even in the slightest.

As the suspects keep lining up, Cassie breaks under pressure and admits to reading the bank statement of her dad Martin. This comes as a surprise to no one, since the series makers had to introduce at least one flaw to his seemingly impenetrable character skin. Real people have flaws, you know.

Finally, what can I say about Unforgotten: Series 2 that hasn’t been said before? It’s poignant, real, and interesting to the core. Do yourself a favor and watch this one from start to finish – no questions asked.