Coroner Review: Unburied (Season 2 Episode 4)

Jenny’s life continues to spiral slowly but surely out of control on Coroner Season 2 Episode 4, “Unburied.”

Don’t ask us why she’s digging a grave while sleepwalking this time — maybe it’s just a side effect of the job. Jenny has a psychiatrist to give her answers about what’s going in her mind.

We need to talk about Harold Carruthers because he’s one of the most sympathetic murderers on TV, and we would have said that before his death too. 

“Devotional delusion” is just about the most heartbreaking reason for psychosis. That’s not to say that the murder of the real estate agent is justified. But Harold really does think he’s protecting his wife from a headache that will cause her suffering when Jason comes into his house.

It’s salt in the wound when his son comes home and they repair the damage of their relationship right before Harold dies. 

It takes strength to tell your prejudiced father that he’s a good man is astounding, even if Harold can’t really be blamed for generational ignorance. 

Coroner is very good at making us care about characters we may only meet once throughout the series. Procedurals in the U.S. could learn a lesson or two if we’re being honest. 

That said, Kelly Hart is starting to give me really weird vibes. I am sympathetic to the fact that she lost her son because of an abusive partner on Coroner Season 2 Episode 1, “Fire.”

But there’s something strange about the fact that she’s suddenly in Jenny’s life and is so willing to take care of her ailing father. Only time will tell if Kelly’s intentions are honest, and they might be. But we have caught her mention that she’s been fired often. 

Kelly’s a victim from one of Jenny’s cases. Their friendship is a case of mixing business with pleasure that may or may not work out well. 

Kelly working for Jenny? We’re guessing that’s a disaster waiting to happen, especially with the way Jenny’s life is going right now.

Attempting to compensate for a sleeping issue with a caffeine addiction can’t be medically sound. Gordon is her father, so I understand her loyalty to him but regardless, Jenny has found someone to care for him and Gordon really shouldn’t be living with her. 

The behavior that keeps getting Gordon kicked out of his facility is exactly why he needs care. Sadly, his predicament probably isn’t as rare as it should be within many healthcare systems around the world. But just because Gordon wants to live at home, doesn’t mean he should. 

There’s also the fact that Ross just lost his job because of his broken arm (We’re guessing this is only legal because it’s off the books?) and a breakup with Matteo is being subtly foreshadowed. 

Gordon living with her is the last thing Jenny would need if Liam wasn’t coming undone. But although Mal’s surgery goes well and I don’t begrudge Liam a few celebration drinks, something is off with Liam. 

I don’t know him well enough to put my finger on what it is. 

Even though Coroner has eight-episode seasons, “Unburied” functions as a filler episode for now. The buzz of anxiety from Coroner Season 2 Episode 3, “Crispr Sistr,” hasn’t dissipated yet. 

A tsunami of stress is gathering strength somewhere and it’s coming straight for Jenny. If only she would heed the signs.   

Autopsy Notes

• Look at Malik, stepping up from grunt work to help solve a murder. 
• I wish we could go along for Mal’s surgery journey with Liam. He needs support, and even just having viewers’ eyes there could count. 
• Then again, maybe there is a reason we don’t know much about Liam’s day. It’s a coin toss between Coroner not seeing it as important enough or being too important for us to know about. 

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Coroner airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

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