Grantchester: Season Two Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Grantchester: Season Two Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 20, 2016

“Grantchester: Season 2” is put into a difficult creative position from the very first episode. The previous year of crime-busting with Reverend Sydney (James Norton) and Detective Inspector Geordie (Robson Green) offered a more traditional take on small town sleuthing, playing up the dichotomy of religion and reality, following a priest working to share faith with his flock while witnessing horrors created by human impulse and frailty. “Season 2” doesn’t particularly want to continue with the same old mix of criminal activity and sermonizing, turning to heightened dramatics to push through lukewarm material, giving the show an unpleasant soap opera vibe, only teasing grittiness and bitter characterizations. The humanity of “Season 1” has been dialed down for the follow-up year, making “Grantchester” a frustrating watch, providing only flashes of compelling chemistry between the leads, while the cases are set aside for a larger narrative arc.

The production certainly knows what the fanbase is looking for, opening “Grantchester” with a bit of shirtlessness from Norton, trying to stir up the audience with a dash of hunkiness before returning to duty. It’s pretty obvious what’s going on, but the moment is also the last bit of brightness in the dark story, which covers all types of murders and suicides, while Sydney once again examines a loveless life, using booze and jazz to keep himself stable for an increasingly cruel world. “Season 1” was open to examining Sydney’s role in the church, highlighting sermons and amiability with parishioners. “Season 2” downplays the God factor, only periodically returning to the character’s spiritual enlightenment, as much of the new story details corrupt church officials and predatory priests. Day to day crime is also backed away from, leaving “Season 2” to periodic breaks from an ongoing narrative concerning the murder of a teenager. Variety is sorely lacking from the show, which tends to recycle beats involving Sydney and his broken spirit, love life, and willpower.

Episodes

Disc 1

“Episode 1” (52:08)

Continuing their friendship, Reverend Sidney (James Norton) and Detective Inspector Geordie (Robson Green) find their peaceful connection briefly disrupted by accusations from a young girl whose diary details a sexual assault committed by the priest. Shaken but determined to understand this behavior, Sidney starts to investigate the family, eventually finding his accuser dead in a photographer’s darkroom. Coming to terms with his loneliness, Sidney is surprised to find Amanda (Morven Christie) has returned to town, while his faith in church superiors is challenged by revelations of wrongdoing.

“Episode 2” (52:08)

Struggling with Geordie’s attempts to fix him up with strange women, Sidney finds a distraction in the case of a suicide at his former college. Unsure what provoked such an act from a respected man, Sidney and Geordie dig deeper into leads, while the D.I. makes a few wrong moves with possible suspects, stumbling into international espionage and reuniting with the business end of a gun, triggering paralyzing anxiety. Amanda tries to remain supportive of Sidney’s dating life, but her jealousy rises when the priest makes a connection to police headquarters employee, Margaret (Seline Hizli).

“Episode 3” (52:08)

Spotting trouble with a young parishioner, Sydney is handed a murder confession where the victim remains alive. Baffled by this motivation and peek into possible madness, Sydney teams with Geordie to make sense of the crime, which soon loses its mystery when an unknown assailant finishes the job. Coming into contact with the dead man’s widow, Sydney is tempted by her overt sexuality, which also amplifies his tentative feelings for Margaret. Amanda commits a crime to attract attention to her depression, unable to share her true feelings for Sydney. And Leonard (Al Weaver) tries to get comfortable with his sexuality, experiencing a romantic connection with a local man.

Disc 2

“Episode 4” (52:08)

Taking a stand for compassion, Sydney chooses to support a murderer facing execution, using up favors and burning bridges while on a quest to do what he believes is right. Margaret begins to lose patience with Sydney, recognizing his true feelings for Amanda, who’s also struggling with the friendly relationship, losing hope that she could find happiness one day. And a case of suicide brings Sydney out to the country, encountering a family of horse breeders who have experienced tragedy and refuse to put it behind them.

“Episode 5” (52:08)

Geordie faces a haunting reality when a local woman is sent to the hospital after being beaten by her monstrous husband, but refuses to press charges. Chasing a lead, he quickly arrests the man on a robbery charge, putting him behind bars for a long time. However, Sydney has trouble believing the evidence, beginning his own investigation into the situation. Their friendship is pushed to the breaking point. And Sydney continues to struggle with the reality of an upcoming execution for the murderer he’s publicly defended, losing patience with the world as disillusionment sets.

“Episode 6” (52:08)

Losing hope and faith, Sydney turns to alcohol to help numb him, unable to talk through his troubles with estranged pal Geordie or get close to Amanda. However, a greater evil has returned to the area, challenging the priest to define forgiveness as a monster looks for additional prey with church permission. Amanda, realizing that her future is far more painful than previously imagined, decides to make a change. And Sydney, left empty, looks to rebuild what was lost, receiving an unexpected opportunity to right a longstanding wrong.

Grantchester: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a traditional British television look, finding the HD-shot series favoring soft, natural lighting, bringing a glow to the ongoing evildoing. Detail is strong, pinpointing facial particulars and set decoration, while costuming is fibrous, contributing to the period immersion. Colors are tended to with care, preserving costuming and greenery. Skintones are accurate throughout. Delineation is thick at times, having trouble with a few evening sequences. Posturization is periodic, and banding is common throughout.

Grantchester: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix satisfies with mood for the series. While it isn't built for power, the subtleties of performance register with clarity. Dialogue exchanges are never problematic, retaining full voices and a comfortable emotional range. Scoring is supportive without intruding on the dramatics, surging with more defined instrumentation when the moment calls for such accentuation. Atmospherics are handled well, feeling out interior echo and exterior activity with creatures and crowds.

Grantchester: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Making Of (10:41, HD) discusses the creative challenges of "Season 2" with cast and crew, highlighting on-set camaraderie and character development, while some thoughts are shared on filming in the actual town of Grantchester.

• "Back to 'Grantchester'" (2:07, HD) is a brief overview of development between seasons, with cast and crew sharing thoughts on the new year of sleuthing and suffering.

• "The Trouble with Sydney and Geordie" (2:36, HD) narrows focus to Green and Norton, who share a mutual love for each other and a desire to develop their characters, finding new dramatic terrain to explore in "Season 2."

Grantchester: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As found in "Season 1," performances are generally capable, with Norton and Green sharing tight chemistry, well-trained in the art of making pained faces for tight close-ups. The supporting cast also has promising moments, threatening to give the show some needed personality. "Grantchester" intentionally takes on a dark side for "Season 2," and it doesn't feel right, diluting elements that worked well before, trying to manufacture dramatic gravity that isn't all that interesting.