In the two aired series of Luther, a psychological cop drama rapidly becomes more and more unlike any police procedural ever written. Intrigued? Then you should watch Luther.
Let me get this out of the way so y’all don’t have to be bashed over the head with my gay gayness of gay. I have had a crush on Idris Elba for many years, and this is the number one reason that I gave Luther a chance. Oh, I’ll get to see the hottest actor ever speak in his native accent and be a detective? That didn’t take much to convince me.
This review, from this moment on, shall not have a single mention of how hot Idris Elba is. We have so many more things to talk about.
A note about spoilers: Like yesterday, this review will contain no plot spoilers at all, and will not give away the vast majority of minor detail spoilers. I’ll talk about characters, some vague ideas about character growth, and a general idea of the differences between the two series. Even more so than Rubicon, this series is simply not as enjoyable (or shocking) if one knows too much about what it is.
I don’t watch too many police procedurals these days, especially since so many of them are similar, but I did binge Law & Order: SVU when it was first put on Netflix a couple years ago. (Which, by the way, was a terrible idea, only because after three straight weeks of that show, I start to believe I was going to be murdered.) But there’s something that’s inherently fascinating about that kind of storytelling, and it’s why I enjoyed the BBC’s Sherlock update. I like a good mystery and a complex whodunnit. I loved that part of LOST, and there are some damn fine crime dramas that operate with this at their base as well. And I don’t even like saying that it’s some sort of low-brow storytelling, because that doesn’t make sense to me. Just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s necessarily inferior; I think it takes a whole lot of talent to be able to write this sort of stuff.
That being said, procedural dramas rely on a whole lot of tropes that can get pretty exhausting quickly. And it’s okay to like them in spite of this! There’s no problem with that at all. But I’m always looking for television that does things just a tiny bit different, and through the vehicle of Idris Elba’s hotness (OKAY, LAST TIME I MENTION IT, I SWEAR) I stumbled on Luther. Combining elements of Sherlock Holmes with…um…well…Dexter? Maybe a little bit?
And that’s the problem I run into when I try to explain this show to people. Yes, Luther is a show about Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, part of the Serious Crime Unit in London, and yes, there are “serious crimes” that must be solved, and most of them deal with serial killers, and then….then I don’t know how to explain this without spoiling people. I start blathering about how NO, YOU HAVE NO IDEA, IT’S SO MUCH DEEPER THAN THAT, IT’S GOT A STORY ARC BUT IT’S NOT LIKE SCI FI AND THINGS HAPPEN, BUT I CAN’T TELL YOU THEM, DO YOU REALIZE HOW HARD THIS IS FOR ME.
But it’s a sign of how excited I was to watch and experience this show; it constantly surprised me. The writing is solid. The scares are believable. It was disturbing in increasingly pervasive ways. And it surprised me when it transformed (rather quickly, too) into a show that really wasn’t about crime, that wasn’t about the mystery. And it’s truly what Luther does so well: these characters are the real heart of this story, and everything else is simply the canvas by which the writers paint their lives.
Make no mistake: John Luther is the main focus of it all. I find myself falling back on my description of this show being a combination of Sherlock and Dexter, but even that doesn’t fully describe what’s going on. With detective stories, the main detective tends to be hyper-intelligent, possesses a few social quirks, and is never wrong. In Luther, though, the writers tend to either invert that trope, or dismiss it entirely. What if the main character was brilliant, massively, overwhelmingly brilliant? And what if he possessed an empathy for human suffering and pain that was so intense that it started to hurt? What if that man cared so much about others that he acted out in increasingly irrational and dangerous ways? What if that man wasn’t a beacon of moral goodness, either? What if he fucked up in terrible, disappointing ways? And what if we are instead given a portrait of a brilliant character who is both tormented and uplifted by his mental state?
Luther shows us both sides to Luther’s empathy and his mental illness. (And I won’t qualify or attempt to diagnose what is going on in the man’s mind because that’s fucked up and because it’s never outright confirmed in any blatant way. But it is a very important aspect of his character and the show. Hell, the entire show starts with him returning to work after seven months due to a nervous breakdown and institutionalization.) While we certainly see some of the more frightening moments to John’s characterization (even in the first episode), the show never, ever forgets that this is a human being, not a caricature. When we see John facing depression, it’s not treated as a joke. It is not treated as a silly fad. It is a real thing that happens to him, and the choices he makes to cope with it are real and have real consequences for his own health and for those around him.
And even if John Luther makes up the bulk of what Luther is about, the cast of characters who surround him are a varied group of people who seem like trope-filled examples of what might be familiar to people who have watched police-procedurals. Detective Sergeant Justin Ripley is the newcomer, eager to work with the famed DI Luther; Ian Reed is Luther’s partner-in-crime, always willing to do whatever Luther needs to bend the rules to solve a case; Rose Teller is the exasperated boss who is constantly frustrated by her need to reign John Luther in; Martin Schenk is the intimidating Superintendent who has it out for Luther; Zoe Luther is the wife who cannot put up with her husband’s obsessive behavior.
Does this all sound familiar? Don’t these characters exist in most procedural crime dramas? So I admit to feeling that that first twenty minutes of the first episode was cookie-cutter drama. I didn’t see what angle this was going to take. It was entertaining! And the introduction of Alice Morgan, the best character on the whole show, was intriguing. (I really can’t say much about her because SPOILERS and because she SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS and SPOILERS.) But it wasn’t until a particular monologue/scene at the end of the first episode that I knew I’d stumbled onto something a whole lot more personal than I expected. I don’t want to ignore that this is a cop drama, and Luther never quite escapes that. But in a sense, the show never wants to. Instead, the writers embrace the environment to show how all of these characters deal with moral challenges, the frustrations of bureaucracy, the emotional attachments that develop over time, and the horrors that might come with what these detectives do.
Now, it’s not The Wire. This really isn’t meant to be a scathing indictment of cop culture, corruption, or organized crime, though there are issues dealing with all three over the course of both series. Luther is and will probably always be about the emotions behind all of this. To me, that is what separates this from the herd, and what it does have in common with a show like The Wire. We get to peek inside the lives of people who work in violent crime and see how exposure to this sort of thing eats away at them, tears down their moral system, or, in some cases, actually strengthens it.
Yet after all of this, there’s one thing that Luther will stand out to me as: it is, without a doubt, one of the most intense and emotionally draining shows that I have ever seen. As of now, there are only ten full episodes, amounting to just ten hours that we spend with these characters. In a way, the show feels like two miniseries instead of two full seasons, which allows the focus to develop really well over the course of the first six episodes, and then the four that make up series two. But this praise–and I am praising this show for creating a story that is ridiculously harrowing–should also serve as a warning of sorts. I don’t want to send any of you into Luther thinking you’ll watch a slightly disturbing, but rewarding cop drama.
You will not feel like Luther has given you a hug when you are done watching it. You will not feel like the world is a wonderful place. And hell, there is not a trigger warning in the world that could cover what one probably goes through while watching this show. At one point (which I will not tell you when or where or any details), this thing happens that is so revolting and shocking that my voice did this disgusting thing that made it sound like I had just died. The universe that Luther paints becomes increasingly bleak over time, and things ONLY GET WORSE during series two. And perhaps that’s part of the draw of this; I admit to enjoying bleak fiction, and a lot of what I’ve watched is unbearably tense. LIKE ALL OF BATTLESTAR GALACTICA AMIRITE??? So maybe I am biased in my depiction of this show as one that separates itself rather quickly from the formula of most cop shows because the intensity of it, and the emotional attachment that one develops for these characters.
But when I finished that last episode of series two, I felt satisfied. It was a different sensation of satisfaction than I was used to; the show isn’t over yet, and there’s still a lot left to be answered in series three, but I felt like I had gotten to know Schenk, Ripley, and Luther in ways that were unexpected and enriching, because even the smallest characters mattered to this show and mattered to the world that creator Neil Cross had dreamed up.
Luther is available on Netflix Instant and both seasons are on iTunes. Again, it bears repeating, but there is a lot of violence on this show, much of it deeply disturbing, so if you are sensitive to depictions of violence, some mild gore, and torture, I would advise against watching Luther.
Iiiiinteresting. I had initially heard that it was unfortunately not much more than a police procedural, despite Idris Elba's awesomeness, but perhaps that assessment was based on the first couple episodes. I have heard some good things since. And you have made a very good case for it! I'm intrigued!
Rose Teller is the exasperated boss who is constantly frustrated by her need to reign John Luther in
Rose Teller? Does she love drugs?
I watched the first episode, and it didn't wow me enough to click through to the second ep. If you like it this much, though, I'm going to give it another try.
Wow, I'd heard of this show but wasn't that familiar with it.
Make no mistake: John Luther is the main focus of it all. I find myself falling back on my description of this show being a combination of Sherlock and Dexter, but even that doesn’t fully describe what’s going on. With detective stories, the main detective tends to be hyper-intelligent, possesses a few social quirks, and is never wrong. In Luther, though, the writers tend to either invert that trope, or dismiss it entirely. What if the main character was brilliant, massively, overwhelmingly brilliant? And what if he possessed an empathy for human suffering and pain that was so intense that it started to hurt? What if that man cared so much about others that he acted out in increasingly irrational and dangerous ways? What if that man wasn’t a beacon of moral goodness, either? What if he fucked up in terrible, disappointing ways? And what if we are instead given a portrait of a brilliant character who is both tormented and uplifted by his mental state?
Bu zna, gung fbhaqf n ybg yvxr Fnz Ivzrf. Now I really really really want to watch this.
That's an interesting comparison.
That IS an interesting comparison. I was thinking it sounded like a police procedural version of Ubhfr…
Did you say police procedural (guilty pleasure, I can’t hide it) and bleak AND starring Idris Elba? Why haven’t I seen this show yet? What have I been doing with my life???
I'd heard of this show but never got around to watching it. But apparently it has Ruth Wilson in it who is basically my favorite Jane Eyre EVER, so maybe I'll have to give it another try.
Oh me too! She is just amazing as Jane – it was as if the character has stepped out of my head and onto the screen. She just IS Jane Eyre. So so good.
Oh my god I know! She looks kind of like a pixie, and her face is just so interesting and she fits the character PERFECTLY. Also Toby Stephen as Rochester makes the whole thing BEYOND AWESOME OMG.
YES! I've actually seen (series one of) this one!
I'm a sucker for crime dramas, too, it's all my parents' fault. I like what you say about it not being about the crime or the mystery per se, and the structure sort of reminds me of Columbo, except much more intense and personal. And Idris Elba is a lot sexier than Peter Falk (not that I don't love Peter Falk.) I still have to watch series 2, but it gets more bleak? Yikes.
Oh, oh, and DS Ripley is adorable, I can't help myself <3 I also love Ruth Wilson as Alice Morgan. At some point during the series, I decided her voice sounds a bit like Judi Dench's, which totally works for me.
Music spoilers for the first series finale: V ybirq gur qvfphffvba bs "Cyrnfr Qba'g Yrg Zr Or Zvfhaqrefgbbq" va gur NT pbzzragf n pbhcyn jrrxf ntb, naq V jnagrq gb zragvba Avan Fvzbar'f bevtvany naq ubj jryy vg jnf hfrq va guvf rcvfbqr, ohg V pbhyqa'g guvax bs n jnl bs qbvat vg jvgubhg fcbvyvat vg'f hfr, fb urer vg vf! Vg'f cresrpg sbe Yhgure.
*gasp* I love Columbo! Another reason why I must watch Luther!
Ha! Someone else who watched Columbo! I remember the teacher comparing it to Crime and Punishment in high school, and I was so excited that I could explain why. I have to warn you, the structure of the mysteries are alike, the characters less so. But they're still both great. 🙂
And since I don't feel like editing my original comment, I forgot to mention that Indira Varma is in this, too, and I have a crush on her, and I was so excited when she appeared on screen. I love this cast <3
I love Luther. I love Idris Elba. I love Alice Morgan so much. Ruth Wilson is flawless. Plus, Doctor Who (#8?) is in this. BASICALLY, IT IS AMAZING.
It's also one of the few shows around that has genuinely stressed me out. I could never tell exactly where the plot lines were going. In certain scenes, I was so strung out with worry over people getting killed, that I thought I might have a heart attack.
YES! The 8th Doctor! I'll just add that in this show, Paul McGann looks better than ever.
Also: Indira Varma is so beautiful it hurts.
"At one point (which I will not tell you when or where or any details), this thing happens that is so revolting and shocking that my voice did this disgusting thing that made it sound like I had just died."
I've seen this series twice now, and while I'm pretty sure I know what you're getting at, this could easily refer to like three or four different moments. That says something about a show.
"Again, it bears repeating, but there is a lot of violence on this show, much of it deeply disturbing, so if you are sensitive to depictions of violence, some mild gore, and torture, I would advise against watching Luther."
Disturbing is definitely the word. Violence does not get treated lightly. This is not functional police procedural violence of the 'someone will have to bite it before we can have a murder investigation' kind. This is the 'OH HOLY SHIT DID THAT JUST HAPPEN' kind.
Glad to see this reviewed. Between Sherlock, Luther and The Shadow Line (Chiwetel Ejiofor and Christopher Eccleston investigating a murder from both sides of the law) the BBC has delivered a pretty solid batch of police drama this year. Anyway, have some hotness in a hat:
<img src=http://i.imgur.com/HdNMZ.gif/>
This is a wonderful Deal With It gif, but I feel like to critical DWI moment is the hat not the glasses. love it.
Luther is worth watching simply for the fact that The Eighth Doctor is a cast member!!
Did you see the promos for season 2 that the BBC made or not? This is the best one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEwrOnrlERY
this series has been on my Instant Queue for a while now, thanks for propelling me to watch! (You propelled me to watch BSG as well — one of my professors always talked about watching it on facebook so I'd been wanting to check it out, but this motivates me!)
On the note of Netflix, I don't know about anyone else, but even if Netflix increased their prices… I got a subscription specifically to watch BSG and OHMYGOODNESS I use Netflix about once a day, even just the streaming, it is TOTALLY worth $7 or 8 to me… idk I am sad Netflix is getting this kind of heat, I'm consistently entertained. I watched 'Of Human Bondage' to study Bette Davis and right now I'm watching 'Absolute Wilson' which is a documentary about a theatrical director I'm reporting on for class #TeamNetflix /tangent
I only caught a few minutes of series 2 when my parents happened to be watching it, and it had a creepy guy wearing a mask and it was scary as heck, but despite that I'd never given it much thought. I just assumed it was yet another churned-out cop drama.
But… Sherlock AND Dexter?
Bless you, Mark.
*orders series 1 on DVD*
OMG, MARK!!!! This soothes my Stupid Baseball Interrupted the Return of Peter Bishop-wounded heart.
My description of Luther, to essentially anyone who'll listen:
He's not a copper, he's a Detective Chief Inspector. Shit is messed up. And you might as well be watching with bamboo shoots in your nails and toothpicks in your eyes. You'll love every disturbing second of it. Oh, and the theme song is Massive Attack's "Paradise Circus" and that is my jam. The end.
I also have an emotional attachment to Ruth Wilson that is probably unhealthy but I do not care. That is all.
WAIT, THAT IS NOT ALL…
Warren Brown deserves serious accolades as DS Justin Ripley. SHADES OF GENIUS are layered in his performance and I just want to give him numerous hugs. Oh, God…
I love Luther! And Idris Elba…..HUBBA HUBBA ….so hot and so talented.
I love his twisted relationship with Alice.
I think this show is an example of how amazing actors and camera work can elevate medium – good writing and structure. I feel like I can actually SEE Idris Elba forcing the show into a blistering pace as he walks around London.
Also, Dr. Alice Morgan is one of my favorite characters on T.V. right now. She's just . . . guh.
BZT, V fuvc Wbua/Nyvpr fb uneq.
So this review and my creepy obsession with the Eighth Doctor means I'm watching the hell out of this show.
I've only seen the first series so far, and I liked it quite a lot, so I'm really looking forward to finding out how the messy finale is resolved at the beginning of series two.
BTW, Mark, I feel the same way about Idris Elba as you.
I <3 Alice as my favorite character. But I guess I have a soft spot for female sociopaths, since they're so uncommon on television. I just found it interesting how sociopathy and yawning was linked in Luther's mind.
I'm also seriously disappointed how short season 2 is, and demand an extended season 3 in return for not threatening people.
I've seen five of the six episodes in the first series, and I've been putting off watching the last episode. . . because I feel all sorts of unprepared about what's going to happen, and legitimately scared about what might/will happen to the characters. This is a sensation I've never had with a show before.
V jvyy fnl, gubhtu, gung orgjrra rcvfbqr sbhe naq gur svefg rcvfbqr bs "Fureybpx," gur OOP ernyyl frrz qrgrezvar gb vafgvyy n srne bs Ybaqba pno qeviref va gurve ivrjref. Qvq fbzr xvaq bs gnkv-pno eryngrq genhzn bpphe va gur HX va 2010 gung V qvqa'g xabj nobhg?
Late to the party, but I watched this show last year and my first thought upon completing it was that you would love the hell out of this show. Glad to see I was right!
I initially watched Luther because of Paul McGann but in the end I couldn't get into it so I gave up after two episodes. 🙁
It's still on my Instant Queue in case I want to retry though.
The second series just felt like 6,000 punches to the gut followed by waves of tears and despair. I've never cared so much about characters in a cop show and all I want is to just hold Luther until he smiles. However, I don't see that happening any time soon.
I loved the first series of Luther. (Haven't seen S2.) What I love most about Luther is how probably half of the episodes would sound really dull, were the plot described in brief. I remember thinking, during two different episodes, "Wow, this is getting kinda dull/playing on plot devices that don't interest me, I might want to stop watching now." Each time, I stuck with it. Subsequently, BAM, oh my GOD, UNPREPARED, etc. etc. etc.
That kind of experience is so rare in TV and it's utterly brilliant.
OMG Mark you watched Luther! I love Luther. It is as mad as a box of frogs and if you try and think too hard about the plots, the whole thing falls apart like a wet cake but I love it so huggy muggy much.
Oh I love Ripley. He is adorable. That is all.
I love Luther sooooooo much! My neighbor recommended it to me shortly after the first season aired. I think I watched the whole first season in one sitting and did not think I was going to be able to wait so ridiculously long for series 2!
Also, Idris Elba is perfection and I want to have his babies.