Hot on the heels of ITV's latest gripping crime drama, "A Confession," "The Capture," despite its somewhat unassuming moniker, hits the ground running with a litany of provocative inquiries into our increasingly digitalized world and the perilous ways it can be manipulated against us. Through sleek cinematography and a narrative that simmers with suspense, "The Capture" culminates in a fitting climax, bursting forth with a cascade of tantalizing questions poised for next week's episode.
We find ourselves confronted by a wall of CCTV monitors, where two officers discuss the impending scuffle among a group of youths loitering outside a chicken shop. As they continue their vigil, a passionate kiss unfolds between a man and a woman on the nearby street, only to abruptly dissolve from view, leaving the officer watching with widened eyes in anticipation.
The scene then flashbacks 18 hours earlier to a local prison. Shaun, an inmate, skulks in the corner of a hallway, making a clandestine phone call home before stashing his contraband and returning to his cell to pack his belongings. He is soon to be released for his trial, but not without coming under intense scrutiny from the judge. The judge presents camera footage of Shaun callously executing a soldier, followed by his shouts after the shooting, portraying him as someone trying to cover his tracks and commit murder in cold blood.
As another witness takes the stand, we are enlightened about video latency—a phenomenon where audio can be out of sync by up to six seconds. If this assertion holds true, then the audio might explain the discrepancies in the video footage. Upon revisiting the footage, this time with the audio correctly synchronized, we witness firsthand the immense power that video evidence wields and the grave danger it poses when misused in a court of law.After securing his freedom through a victorious court battle, Shaun steps into the school playground, eager to embrace his daughter, JC, only to be met with a chilly reception. Seeking solace, he makes his way to his local pub, where he orders a refreshing beer to bask in his newly regained liberty, expressing heartfelt gratitude to his attorney, Hannah, for her invaluable support.
Haunted by his wartime experiences, tensions flair in the pub when a patron makes a tasteless joke about murdering Muslims. This triggers Shaun, compelling him to seek refuge in the bathroom to calm his frayed nerves. Steadfastly refusing a drug offer, he exits the establishment just as our prologue unfolds anew from his vantage point, catching sight of Hannah strolling home. Intrigued, he decides to follow her, walking up the street.
As they converse, Hannah senses his hesitation and, instead of waiting for his unspoken question, leans in and kisses him. Their lips part, revealing warm smiles and a heartfelt hug. Watching her retreat, she promises to call him, but before their moment can deepen, we cut back to the urgent voices of operators reporting an assault. What transpired at the bus stop remains a mystery.
DI Rachel rushes to the crime scene, only to learn that Hannah is missing and facial recognition technology is unavailable due to restrictions. However, upon reviewing CCTV footage, armed police storm Shaun's apartment, training their weapons on him. Rachel arrives and insists he lead her to his car, which the police subsequently clear of any immediate threats. Bewildered, Shaun inquires about the situation before finding himself arrested for kidnapping. In a move that further complicates his plight, he attempts to break free and flee, only to be subdued by a taser and collapse to the ground.
While the unrelenting gaze of surveillance cameras monitors Shaun's pacing within his cell, the police transport his car for forensic examination. The investigative team springs into action, scrutinizing every inch of the vehicle for clues. The prowess of the intelligence team becomes evident as they deploy facial recognition technology, seamlessly identifying a suspect with minimal effort.As the police cluster around the monitors, their eyes riveted to the unfolding interview, Detective Inspector Rachel, accompanied by Detective Sergeant Patrick Flynn, steps forward to question Shaun. They demand to know the whereabouts of Hannah Roberts. With a shake of his head, Shaun insists he has no idea and proceeds to recount the sequence of events. At this juncture, the CCTV footage that initially led to his arrest is played—capturing him, eyes wide open, striking the girl in the face and beating her relentlessly. Stunned and furious, Shaun declares that the footage has been tampered with. In a rush, DI Rachel dashes to the adjacent room to observe his reaction to the video, where he repeatedly whispers, "It's not real," as he clings desperately to the table.
Consigned back to his jail cell, Shaun collapses to his knees in tears, while the police rush to the river, bracing for the grim possibility that Shaun might be suffering from PTSD, and that a body might be discovered. Could it be that Shaun's mind has blocked out his own actions? Or does a far more sinister plot lurk beneath the surface?
Despite a somewhat sluggish inception, "The Capture" swiftly gains momentum, laying the groundwork for an intricate web of questions that our characters must unravel. The clever editing and the meticulously crafted mystery surrounding the CCTV footage serve as compelling elements, while the strategic use of flashbacks to 18 hours earlier enriches the narrative and provides an engaging introduction.
Comparisons to "Bodyguard" have abounded in discussions about "The Capture," but I find such references detract from the show's unique potential before it's even had a chance to shine. Moreover, "Bodyguard," despite its promising start, ultimately faltered, a fate I sincerely hope does not befall this production. The allure of mystery often outshines the grand revelation, and while the storyline incorporates some clunky clichés—such as the female detective's affair with her superior—there's ample substance here to make for an entertaining series. It's not flawless, and it occasionally drags, but for the most part, "The Capture" adeptly commands your attention, particularly during the exhilarating climax of its premiere episode. With much material to explore, the direction of BBC's new drama remains eagerly anticipated.
