Collision

The two-part PBS British crime drama, Collision, zigzags through time. One moment we’re in a literal car crash; the next, we’re in the inspector’s quiet office as DI John Tolin plots cause and effect. Quite clever, I thought.

The collision is a terrible multi-vehicle accident on a British highway. As the cars and trucks collide, they turn over all sorts of human drama, from racism to marital infidelity to murder.

Even the protagonist, DI Tolin (Douglas Henshall), has things to reveal, like why he appears soul-wounded. And his spirited daughter, in a wheelchair—why? Where is the driver of the white van that was carrying antiques—and perhaps more? And why is the discomfort between Tolin and Inspector Ann Stallwood (Kate Ashfield) so palpable?

When the story begins, Tolin is returning from an unexplained leave and is asked to investigate “a multiple incident with two fatalities.” We’re unsure why he’s asked if he’s up to it. Shouldn’t he be?

Tolin begins to piece together what made this event happen as he imagines and sketches the crash’s timeline. As one fact leads to another, we wonder what in the world caused this.

Reveals happen slowly and with satisfaction. As the story progresses, we realize that some aren’t who they appear to be and that more are dangerous than we first realize.

Familiar British and Welsh actors include Philip Davis, Paul McGann, and David Bamber—yes, the infamous cleric Mr. Collins from the 1995 Pride and Prejudice. Welsh director Marc Evans received notice for The House of America and My Little Eye. Writer Anthony Horowitz is known for the beloved Foyle’s War. Douglas Henshall captures with careful subtlety a character who has been deeply harmed. I applauded his fine portrayal of a wounded DI doing his job.

The British series initially ran for five hours but was cut to three and a half hours for American audiences. There seems to be some development gaps. These gaps didn’t keep me from liking the story. (PBS Masterpiece, Amazon Prime).