Share
Clip description
Jack Christey (Steve Bisley) unpacks in his new office and finds some of Frank Holloway’s things in a drawer. Rachel enters at an awkward moment. She takes Frank’s belongings and, when Jack asks Rachel if working together is going to be a problem, they have a tense conversation. Rachel questions Jack’s decision to apply for the sergeant’s position.
Curator’s notes
There’s a note of dry humour in this scene, which uses subtext and understatement to expose the characters’ awkwardness together. The opening is a case of actions speaking louder than words. Already uncomfortable with Jack’s appointment, Rachel appears all the more unimpressed upon entering at the wrong moment. What makes writer Anne Brooksbank’s dialogue entertaining is how bad the two are at expressing themselves and dealing with the situation – this raises plenty of questions for how they will manage as things move along in this and future episodes.
The understated reference to Frank’s departure is one of only a few throughout the episode. This restraint is effective. We can read between the lines and see that Rachel’s feelings about Frank influence her reaction to Jack.
