Is BBC’s new Scottish murder mystery worth a watch?

The Island” is BBC’s newest murder-mystery production, marking the UK’s inaugural high-end Gaelic drama series according to the broadcaster’s announcement. With creators Nicholas Osborne and Patsi Mackenzie leaving no room for compromise in their narrative quest for intensity, the question remains: did they succeed?

In a lot of aspects yes.

In a twist of deception, concealment, and forgotten past, Osborne and Mackenzie deliver on their promise. The narrative unravels as promised, filled with intense emotional turmoil that traces back to one man – the wealthy business magnate, Sir Douglas Maclean, played by Iain Macrae.

Not even Kat Crichton, the family liaison officer from His Dark Materials (played by Sorcha Groundsell), could evade his clutches, as she reluctantly departed the island a decade before.

In the course of her duties, Kat finds herself drawn back when she’s tasked with investigating the murder of Mary Maclean (Elspeth Turner), who was tragically killed in her castle, and Sir Douglas is the one who has assigned this case to her.

After being wounded during the incident, Douglas alleges that a burglar was responsible for the mishap; however, as time passes, gaps in his narrative become evident. In spite of his efforts to patch up these discrepancies, the truth gradually emerges, revealing long-hidden family secrets capable of fracturing this troubled family even further.

Kat’s relentless pursuit of the truth positions her squarely as a target for Douglas, yet it’s her deeply felt bond with him that fuels her persistence.

Groundsell skillfully portrays the conflicting feelings within Kat’s personality. Her innocence and lack of experience in the job often instills fear, but this is countered by her robust personality.

Groundsell’s portrayal is subtly powerful, blending vulnerability with tiny acts of courage that carry risk. Although the motivation behind her departure from the island a decade ago appears somewhat flimsy, audiences might find themselves overlooking it due to Kat’s inherent shyness. This shy nature presents a challenge for her as she must push past it to maintain her stance.

Macrae’s Douglas represents the opposite side, characterized by cool indifference. His authority seems vast due to Macrae’s skillful and meticulous handling of it.

The Isle (An t-Eilean) offers a captivating, slowly unfolding storyline, with a compelling ensemble cast that emotionally engages viewers.

Apart from Calum (Andrew Macinnes), who has a tendency to overflow with feelings, the Maclean siblings generally maintain a calm and controlled demeanor when it comes to expressing emotions. However, under pressure, they occasionally let loose with emotional outbursts that provide a glimpse into their hidden sorrows. These sorrows can be traced back to an unfortunate incident at a New Year’s Eve party many years ago.

Episode after episode, we receive glimpses into this opulent mansion from various viewpoints of the key characters, shedding light on the present-day enigma. Each character helps to keep the narrative engaging and captivating.

As a gamer, I find that something’s amiss with An t-Eilean. The game lacks that heart-pounding urgency that keeps me on the edge of my seat. Instead, it seems like everything’s just simmering for way too long, and when the moments of intensity arrive, they don’t pack quite the punch I’d expect. This leaves space for boredom to creep in, which isn’t exactly the thrilling experience I was hoping for.

Indeed, it effectively reels you back in, sparking your curiosity about who murdered Mary Maclean and their motive. Although the narrative pace might be leisurely at times, there’s an undercurrent of tension that persistently builds, refusing to let go of Sir Douglas – this is what keeps you engaged until the conclusion.

The series “An t-Eilean” is broadcast every week at 9pm on both BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer. Starting from 10pm, you can find episode 2 exclusively on the BBC iPlayer.

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2025-01-14 18:19