Summary
Criminal Record sets up plenty of mystery and intrigue in its opening episode. “Emergency Caller” works well with its small budget, delivering tense interactions and an exciting finale, all thanks to a superbly written script and some gritty, heightened performances.
Apple TV+ teams up with British writer and producer Paul Rutman (Vera) for the brand-new, original crime drama series Criminal Record. This tense thriller opens with Episode 1, “Emergency Caller.” The Season 1 premiere introduces our two main detectives, who clash over an old murder case, as fresh allegations claim that there has been a wrongful conviction. Someone is literally getting away with murder.
Criminal Record begins by introducing viewers to Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Hegarty, played by Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who). Daniel is seen chauffeuring two individuals through the heart of London one night as part of his side hustle. He appears to be disillusioned by the state of the capital and tells his passengers a troubling story of a horrifying murder.
At the same time, a young woman races to a telephone box to make an emergency call. This anonymous caller begs for the police to come and rescue her before she is murdered. The next morning, Detective Sergeant June Lenker (Cush Jumbo) is handed this very case involving this anonymous caller.
June listens to the audio from the phone call. The caller’s boyfriend has threatened to kill her and bragged about killing his previous girlfriend with the same knife. The boyfriend told her that he got away with that murder and there is a man currently in prison doing time in his place. She then gives more details about this wrongfully convicted inmate, who is serving a 24-year prison sentence in Whitecross.
After listening to the audio, June watches the accompanying CCTV footage. The anonymous caller left before the police turned up though. June starts to look into the anonymous caller’s possible identity and location. The detective then speaks with the woman who handled this call concerning domestic violence.
Who is Errol Mathis?
The operator Jasmine believed every word that the anonymous caller had said. Jasmine mentions that the caller said “falou,” which is Portuguese, a possible clue to help identify this mystery woman. June is unsure of the woman’s claims of wrongful conviction but investigates the allegations anyway. She finds a man in Whitecross called Errol Mathis, who matches the woman’s claims. He is the one serving the prison sentence for killing Adelaide Burrowes.
June takes this information to her boss DCI Roy Chambers. She asks to speak with the officer who handled this case many years ago. It happens to be Daniel Hegarty from the opening scene. Roy urges June to just email Daniel, asking for more information, but June decides to visit him in person instead.
What follows is an awkward conversation between Daniel and June, discussing the death of Adelaide Burrowes. Daniel acts suspiciously, rejecting the claims almost instantly. He argues that all of this information is in the public domain anyway and could just be lies or attention-seeking from the caller. Daniel reiterates that Errol even confessed to the murder, although he did later change his statement.
That night, Daniel warns a friend (possibly Kim Cardwell) about June and her ongoing investigation, casting further doubt upon the character. He then returns to his home, where a mysterious woman sleeps on his settee. This cold setting starkly contrasts with June’s comforting home, where she discusses Daniel and his suspicious behavior with her partner Leo.
Why is June investigated by Professional Standards?
The next morning, June is unable to log into her work computer. She is then informed that Professional Standards are investigating her conduct, which they promise is just a random, routine check. June thinks that this audit is payback though, that Daniel is behind it, playing mind games with her. Is this Daniel’s way of trying to scare her off the Adelaide investigation?
June continues her investigation undeterred by Daniel’s interference. She meets with lawyer Sonya Singh, who was involved in defending Errol Mathis. June asks Sonya about the trial. Sonya mentions bite marks being found on Adelaide’s body. The prosecution stated that these marks matched Errol’s teeth, but Sonya did her own digging and found the results to be inconclusive.
Sonya talks more about Daniel, who was in a crew called The Sixty-Twos, adding that this gang had their own, possibly racist, agenda. Afterwards, June investigates Adelaide’s son, Patrick Burrowes. He is still living in the local area. Errol wants to stay in contact with him, but he is constantly rejected by the boy.
Later, Daniel visits Tony Gilfoyle, an old colleague from the Sixty-Twos, who is in a wheelchair. Daniel talks about the new investigation into Adelaide’s case. He urges Tony to cover his back, asking if he has any particular information that he has been withholding for all of this time. Tony says he hasn’t. It’s another suspicious conversation involving Daniel. What is he hiding exactly?
Who is Maria De Souza?
The premiere ends back with June’s storyline. She is told that the Professional Standards audit has brought up a few concerning issues. Then Jasmine calls. They have found the anonymous caller, she is called Maria De Souza. Maria is on the phone with Jasmine as they speak, saying that she is in danger once again.
How does Criminal Record Season 1 Episode 1 end?
June asks when the police are estimated to arrive at Maria’s flat. She is told they are 18 minutes away. June is closer though, so she decides to drive there herself. En route, June speaks on the phone with Maria, who is hiding in her apartment bathroom. June tells Maria to arm herself with her house keys, to protect herself if her boyfriend enters.
In a nail-biting final sequence, June arrives at the flats, but she is too late. She runs over as Maria’s body falls to the ground from the ninth story. June goes over to Maria’s lifeless body, checking for a pulse, and then she decides to go after the killer on her own.
What did you think of Criminal Record Season 1 Episode 1? Comment below.
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