Ripper Street Recap: “In My Protection”

Ripper Street Recap: “In My Protection”
Original Air Date (BBC): Sunday January 6, 2013
Series 1 Episode 2

by C.S. Kane:

Ripper Street began in brutal fashion with the murder of the local toy maker Manby (David Coon). It subsequently transpires that a Whitechapel vigilante brigade led by George Lusk (Michael Smiley) has hunted the prime suspect. They deliver fourteen-year-old Thomas Gower (Giacomo Mancini) to Inspector Reid (Matthew Macfayden) with pomp and circumstance. The interweaving of actual characters from the Ripper period is an interesting twist on this fictional series. Lusk received the notorious “From Hell” letter during the time of the ‘Whitechapel Murders’ and his presence in the series is a reminder that local residents are still on high alert following the gruesome crimes and there is still a lack of confidence in the police.

The tattooed covered boy is brought to the courtroom where he receives a harsh sentence of death by hanging. However, it is through Captain Jackson’s (Adam Rothenburg) autopsy of the body in his newly appointed “Death Room” appointed by Reid, that it is surmised the murder was not a simple ‘smash and grab’. The discovery that Manby’s tongue has been removed yet his gold fillings remained untouched leads Reid to follow up with further investigations. With Drake (Jerome Flynn) in tow Reid discovers that the sadistic and manipulative Carmicheal (Joseph Gilgun) is running gangs of boys to carry out his dirty work. Gilgun plays the role in a convincing and sinister way. This episode culminates in a violent showdown at the local orphanage.

Throughout we continue to discover snippets of information about the lead characters. We learn Reid and his wife Emily (Amanda Hale) are undergoing massive strain in their marriage with the loss of their daughter. However, we are left unaware as to whether she is dead or missing. Jackson and Long Susan (MyAnna Burning) continue to drop delectable references to dark deeds they have carried out in the past. Finally, Drake reveals he has had a hard childhood, a military history and a softer side. The development of this character will be the most rewarding in my opinion.

This episode was more interesting than the season premiere. It was visceral and violent with a hard hitting plot. Again, it will be interesting to see how the characters and their relationships grow in the shadowy streets of Whitechapel.

C.S. Kane is a writer of horror fiction and a DarkMedia contributor. Kane has a penchant for the paranormal and is a true a sucker for Sci-fi. Interests include reading, writing, watching movies and enjoying good food. Keep up with the darker side of life by following Kane on Twitter at @CS_Kane and via the blog: www.cskaneofficial.blogspot.co.uk