By Andy Simon @AndySimon55

There are indeed; few dramas these days that can pull me straight away before I have even had an opportunity to watch them. The Night Manager, Happy Valley, Victoria, Ordinary Lies, Cold Feet, National Treasure, Tutankhamun to mention a few.

You just get that feeling, that little ringing bell in your head, that tells you to watch it, it's going to be good, gripping telly.

And I have to say last night's latest ITV drama, In Plain Sight in my opinion, most definitely fell into this special "Absolutely Must Watch Or You're Completely Barmy" category.

In Plain Sight is a new three-part mini-series, based on the true story about a detective William Muncie of Lanarkshire, and his quest to bring justice upon a rather clever and particularly nasty piece of work, the notorious Scottish killer, Peter Manuel. 

I had to admit, watching this first episode made me think of Herman Meville's Moby Dick, primarily because of the similarities I perceived in the two main characters as this episode played out.

I mean think about it.

We have this character, Peter Manuel, brilliantly played by Martin Compston, who being released from prison after a nine year stay at Her Majesty's pleasure, & courtesy of the police officer who put him there, detective Munsie (played by Douglas Henshall) is now back in the detective's patch, and is hell bent on revenge.

And for me, there was my Moby Dick theory.

Unfortunately; my theory was at least partially blown out of the water due to the fact that "In Plain Sight" is based on a true story.

The story unfolds at a fast pace, mind you, this is a three parter and I'm already beginning to wonder if we have another Dark Angel on our hands?

Now that story WAS fast.

And just like Dark Angel, In Plain Sight whizzes you round from one scene after another so quickly, it feels like you are driving into a McDonalds, placing your order and then, whizzing round literally seconds later to grab your Big Mac as it flies out the window.

Slow down a bit!

The dialogue was a bit hard to follow in places, mainly due to the strong Scottish accents, speedy conversations and a good bit of mumbling which kind of annoyed me a bit.

Well; more than a bit because a third of the way through I had to put my headphones on so I could concentrate on the mumbling dialogue, something I only ever do in extreme circumstances.

The court scene in my opinion was the highlight of this opening episode. It made me want to get off my sofa and smack that Manuel right on his smug, arrogant, self opinionated nose.

It was great acting.

I have respect for any drama that can draw me in so deeply, I can personally feel the frustration of Manuel's latest victim, Mary McLauchlan (played by Jenny Hulse) standing in that courtroom, and the swelling anger rising up inside William Muncie as he is forced to listen to Manuel's courtroom diatribe.

What a fantasist.

I'm glad the director didn't dwell too much on the rape scene of Mary in the open field, as rape is never pretty, no matter how much thought and care is given to such scenes prior to filming.

In fact; John Strickland's direction enhanced Nick Stevens' excellent writing.

The evil Manuel eventually gets a not proven verdict on the attack, stating that he was romantically involved with Mary, and was attempting to end their affair that very night, which explains why they were together for so long on that open field.

Game, set and match to Manuel.

Muncie; from his brooding expression doesn't believe a word of it and promises Mary soon after they leave the court that he will not rest until Manuel is back in prison, where he belongs.

Time passes alarmingly quickly (this is a mini series don't forget) and as Christmas draws near, Muncie gets another personal delivery in the shape of a Christmas card from Manuel. And soon after New Year, a badly beaten body of a young woman is found on the local golf course. 

And Muncie's worst fears are realised.

Serial killers, no matter where they turn up always for some reason have a fascination to the public. It's like a moth to the flame. I suppose it's the idea that someone who commits such atrocities and be so smug about it, that draws us in?

Truly creepy stuff.

And ITV have over the years contributed much to this Dark Drama genre, Mary Ann Cotton (Dark Angel), The Moors Murders (See No Evil) and Fred West (Appropriate Adult).

In Plain Sight is a good drama as dark dramas go and has all the ingredients to potentially be right up there with the best of them, providing of course, it does not do as Dark Angel did, and go at such a pace that poor old duffers like me, cannot keep up.

Also it wouldn't be a bad thing if they toned down the Scottish accent just a wee bit, and not mumble so much?

The dark side of human nature, nearly always pulls in the viewers, and I suspect this latest dark drama from ITV, will be doing just that.

In Plain Sight continues next Wednesday at 9pm.
I'll be watching, with my headphones on standby.

Thanks for reading.

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