Roadkill Review: Season 1 Episode 4

After a strong penultimate episode, Roadkill Season 1 Episode 4 peters out with an unremarkable finale. 

I have to say I feel swindled. I really enjoyed Roadkill Season 1 Episode 3 and thought the story was leading somewhere interesting.

Evidently not.

I suppose Peter Laurence (Hugh Laurie) revealing the truth about his daughter Rose (Shalom Brune-Franklin) to the public is interesting—as is the ousting of Prime Minister Dawn Ellison (Helen McCrory)—but it’s all very subdued and anti-climactic. Threads and storylines end unceremoniously, leaving much to be desired. An eight-week time jump towards the end feels lazy and uninspired. 

One is left with an unsatisfied feeling as the corrupt politician ascends to high office while many of those close to him continue to suffer in his shadow. 

Peter: If I’m lucky enough to make it into Downing Street, I will enter it unencumbered and beholden to no one. 

That is how he has operated the whole time, so nothing new there—the selfish, ambitious man remains selfish and ambitious but now with even more power. I find it all rather depressing. 

The reveal that Helen (Saskia Reeves) hasn’t signed the document to dissolve the ownership of the Stanfield Titles has a lackluster landing. I don’t know if I really care at this point. 

All that being said, there are several one-on-one scenes that are quite good. 

In particular, the exchange between Peter and Dawn in the Prime Minister’s office is well-acted and fun to watch. McCrory is excellent here, making this a shining moment in a dull episode. Dawn pretty much sums up my frustration at where I can see the story is headed. 

Dawn: You lawyer your way out of the libel courts by the skin of your teeth. “High wire” doesn’t do it—more like Houdini. You were for sale, or near as, damn it, and you pay no price for it. Why? How does that work out? Do we put it down to misogyny?

Yes, I would like to know as well.

Another scene with great performances gives us some closure which, overall, the whole finale is lacking. Madeleine ends her relationship with Peter for good.

Sidse Babett Knudsen as the mistress has been underused. She makes such interesting choices and as a result, her scenes are some of the most captivating. I am glad, at least, that her story has a satisfying ending—that she gets out of Peter Laurence’s deleterious orbit.

I also like the scene between Helen and barrister Rochelle (Pippa Bennett-Warner). It’s an unexpected pairing but works well for the plot. And it makes for a dynamic scene with its artful camera work. 

Thank goodness these moments are peppered in because they spice up a pretty bland episode of television. 

What did you think of this final episode of Roadkill? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Roadkill airs Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.

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