Coroner Review: Eyes Up (Season 3 Episode 4)
Despite the heartbreaking ending, Coroner Season 3 Episode 4, “Eyes Up,” is a nearly perfect episode of television.
Jenny and Liam have some of the best natural chemistry I’ve ever watched, so for that reason, it’s a shame that they have broken up — but I’m not sad about it.
Jenny is right to give Liam a pass for sleeping with rehab lady (whose name I’ll now be actively ignoring).
Liam has quite the nerve just telling Jenny he is “seeing her” now. It isn’t like Jenny could put up much of a fight if he had told her he was interested in exploring more but refrained out of respect for Jenny.
The fact is Liam is officially a jerk who doesn’t deserve to have Jenny in his life.
I also forget his horse’s name but she’s making the right choice by continuously shunning him. All respect to Liam’s journey in rehab but this “relationship” he has started is doomed — he should be focusing on himself, not his sex drive.
Moving on to more worthy people on the episode, Kaleek’s case is captivating for the same reason that Coroner‘s best cases are — we get to know at least one person that matters to him very deeply.
From the first scene of the episode, we know what music Ruby likes to listen to and get a hint about the project she’s working on at school. Eventually, we even watch her make a peanut butter and honey sandwich.
The scene does more than make us hungry — the reminder on the fridge to eat before acting gives us a glimpse of Kaleek’s parenting style. We’ll later learn that the reason Ruby is so close to her dad is in part because of her mom’s brain tumor. It all weaves together seamlessly.
It’s also brilliant that Jenny and Donovan’s scenes trying to positively identify Kaleek parallel the scenes we watch of Ruby going about her daily life. Even though they are just a few strategically placed scenes, we rarely get to spend so much intimate time with a victim’s relative.
I never exactly feel worried for Ruby’s safety, because we don’t definitively see her realize her father has been killed — she’s just acting as a lookout while he graffitis his mural and then runs home when she hears gunshots.
We have to take Jenny’s word that Ruby does things like leave a message on her dad’s cell phone because of shock. It doesn’t really register that she is in danger because she has witnessed her father’s murder.
The episode would not be as good if we had seen Kaleek get shot, but the quick explanation for his murder is still infuriating.
It’s as good a reason as any other we have been given for anyone’s death on Coroner. I just want Wings to be alive to mentor Risk-E and continue being an amazing dad and husband.
There is some solace in the fact that Janelle is presumably going to be okay and Jenny helps Ruby finish the piece Kaleek wanted his wife to see so badly after surgery.
I also love the impact this case has had on both Donovan and Jenny.
She needs to go steal the “gift” she bought for Liam back and keep it for herself. But it’s touching to watch Donovan realize that he wants to leave a mark on the world and that one way he can do that is to sit for a portrait.
Hopefully, Ruby and Kaleek (aka Risk-E and Wings) have done more than give our heroes the courage to take risks. I hope they have also learned that they deserve to live beautiful lives.
Autopsy Notes
- The subtlety of Donovan’s cancer storyline is what makes it tolerable. It’s quick but so effective to watch him see his face on Kaleek’s body in the morgue.
- Massage therapy is so perfect for Ross! Plus, it’s an unfortunate one, but we have an update on his relationship with Matteo.
- Gordon’s bird watching is boring for now but it’s going to matter eventually.
- Is Donovan going to get involved with the portrait artist?
—
What did you think of this episode of Coroner? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Coroner airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.