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The Escape Artist (2013)

2013 · Drama,Thriller · crime-procedural, crime-psychological-profiler, contemporary-realistic

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A tightly contained three-part BBC legal thriller in which a brilliant defense barrister (David Tennant) successfully acquits a sociopathic killer, only to find himself and his family in the man's crosshairs. The show is primarily a character study and courtroom drama that pivots into psychological cat-and-mouse territory, held together by Tennant's commanding central performance and a memorably menacing villain. Reviewers consistently forgive the script's logical gaps because the premise is compelling, the acting exceptional, and the finale genuinely clever. Best suited to viewers who enjoy UK legal drama with a dark thriller undertow and can tolerate some implausibility in service of a satisfying twist.

From the reviewers

the dialog was great, the premise was a good one, the acting and directing were outstanding, I cared about the characters, and the ending was satisfying.
his dialog is very good, his character development excellent, the basic scenario good, his plot creativity good, his resolution of the story rather brilliant. His one fault, as I see it - and it's a big one for me - is believability.
In order to advance his story, he resorts to plot twists that defy logic, and characters who act stupidly and have emotions that don't fit - and he does it over and over.
the last 10 min were nerve wreaking. my heart was beating so hard, i couldn't breathe or move i could only stare mouthing "wow"
David Tennant has given us some brilliant acting in this show, and even if it is for that only it deserves 1/10.

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