Broadchurch continues tonight with the trial of Joe Miller. Who might appear in the witness box?
For American viewers, Broadchurch, aside from the family in crisis drama that it provides, is fascinating as far as the U.K. legal system goes. For many U.S. fans, this is the first time they’ve had any clue as to what goes on in a U.K. court.
There’s been much made of some inaccuracies on the part of the production team (note to American fans: beware of Googling or you will hit series spoilers.) Not that American fans would notice, but apparently the judge is wearing the wrong type of wig. Who knew? It frankly just looks bizarre to us.
Also, and this is a point brought up by many fans, it would seem to casual viewers that the Lattimer family had sway to select who would be the Crown Prosecutor, the equivalent to the Assistant District Attorney in the United States. Apparently, this is far from the truth. Just as is the case in the United States, this is something that is handled on the governmental level. People don’t just come out of retirement, volunteer for a local case, and actually get assigned to that case.
Now, all inaccuracies aside, the trial will still be in full swing this next episode. It makes us wonder who is likely to be called to testify next, and how they will fare under the questions of the prosecution and the defense. It certainly didn’t go well last week for either D.I. Hardy (David Tennant), or D.S. Miller (Olivia Coleman), and these are people who obviously testify in court on a regular basis due to their jobs. If they had a rough go of it, imagine what might happen to less seasoned professionals.
Among those likely to give testimony are Ellie’s nephew Oliver (Jonathan Bailey), about his family’s boat supposedly used in the crime, and Ellie’s reformed, drug-addict sister, Lucy Stevens (Tanya Franks). Lucy witnessed Joe Miller disposing of evidence in a trash dumpster.
Although Oliver is a little too keen to get a news scoop, we can’t see where his testimony could be damaging to the prosecution. The most he can say is that his boat was stolen, and its burnt remains were later a crime scene.
Lucy, on the other hand, is pretty much an accident waiting to happen. She’s forgetful, likes attention, is a bit too self-important. Nothing good can come from her testimony. She has unreliable witness written all over her.
We are also thinking that Rev. Paul Cotes (Arthur Darvill) might be called as a character witness for Joe Miller. The cat will be out of the bag as far as his visits with Joe in jail, and then he’ll be looking for a new parish. No one wants a minister who comforts child murderers.
These are only some of those likely to testify. Surprise witnesses could come into it, and who knows what they might have to add.
Broadchurch airs tonight on BBC America at 10:00pm ET/PT
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.