The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Series 4, Episode 2 – “Some Lie and Some Die: Part 2” (1990)

 

As Inspector Wexford delves further into Dawn’s life and death, he pulls at divergent threads that may or may not prove to be tied to her murder.  Of course, this includes a sit-down with Zeno, sussing out the exact nature of his relationship with Dawn.

 

This means a proper look at Zeno away from the stage.  Questioned in his extravagant hotel room, his cold, blasé attitude proves to be a put-on.  Instead, he’s an eternally-bemused prankster with a knowing grin; he smirks at the idea of suspicions being cast on him and has no qualms about giving the inspector less than his full attention.

 

While generally, he doesn’t seem to take life very seriously, he does have a rather high opinion of himself, and he’s clearly used to getting his way:  taking things when he wants them.  PC plays him with just enough bite that he could potentially be the murderer.

 

I forgot to mention yesterday, Gemma Jones is also featured in this story as a jittery witness who seems to know more than she’s telling – much like Vera in Prime Suspect, but with more mental instability and fewer scornful remarks about her gender.  Anyway, Gemma Jones enjoyed a brief turn as Madame Pomfrey in the Harry Potter series, but I’m fondest of her excellent Mrs. Dashwood in the Emma Thompson version of Sense and Sensibility.

 

Accent Watch

 

London – not bad, although PC’s London accents tend to wander towards Australian on occasion.  But this is interesting:  when he’s being questioned, there’s a moment where he’s talking about Dawn, and his accent takes a hard left turn to West Country.  No idea at first where it came from.  Then I remembered that Zeno is Dawn’s childhood sweetheart, and Dawn’s family has more West Country accents.  Could it be that Zeno has consciously adopted a London accent for wider appeal, eschewing his roots?  And memories of someone from his youth brings his old voice to the surface?

 

Please don’t discount the possibility that I’m reading far too much into this.  But if it’s true, then good on PC – I’ve not always been too impressed with his accent work, but this would be a great character note.

 

Warnings

 

Some dark thematic elements.