Netflix’s Dept. Q Review: A Gripping and Gothic Detective Drama
In a career spanning over two decades, actor Matthew Goode has become synonymous with period dramas, gracing the screens in notable productions such as Brideshead Revisited, Downton Abbey, and The Crown. However, in his latest role as detective Carl Morck in the psychological thriller Dept. Q, Goode takes on a contemporary and ignoble character, a departure from his typical typecast. According to a review by The Guardian, "It must be so galling for an actor to be blessed with just the right face for one kind of part. Galling for good actors anyway."
Dept. Q, an adaptation by Scott Frank of the Danish crime novelist Jussi Adler-Olsen’s bestselling series, follows the story of Morck, a detective with a flair for the job but a terrible man and colleague. After his actions lead to the death of a young officer and leave his partner paralysed, Morck is put on long-term leave to confront his mortality and guilt. As reported by The Guardian, "He is a terrible man and colleague. After his ceaseless arrogance gets a young uniformed officer killed, and his own partner paralysed by a bullet that then passes through Morck’s own neck, he is put on long-term leave and must wrestle, possibly for the first time in his egocentric life, with the idea of his mortality."
Upon his return to work, Morck is assigned to head a new department, Q, which investigates cold cases. The department is located in the dank, grimy basement beneath the station, and Morck soon discovers he is the entire department, with his boss allocating its supposed funds to the cash-strapped officers above ground. As The Guardian notes, "His new office is located in the dank, grimy basement beneath the station, so that’s Morck told. Oh, and he also turns out to be the entire department, as his boss allocates its supposed funds to the cash-strapped officers above ground."
Morck gradually assembles a motley crew to help him, including cadet Rose, recovering from a breakdown; DI James Hardy, operating from his hospital bed; and Syrian refugee and former police officer Akram Salim. Together, they take on their first case – the disappearance four years ago of ambitious young advocate Merritt Linguard. The Guardian praises the show, stating that "It is all fantastically well, and rigorously, done. The pacing has a leisurely confidence that some may find a touch slow, but allows for a character-first approach, creating a richness that amply rewards initial patience."
The performances in Dept. Q are first-rate, with Goode delivering a standout performance as the bearded, gaunt, and increasingly haunted detective. The script is sharp and lean, channeling Morck’s spitting sarcasm and enabling the audience to thrill to his keen and ever-whetted edge while also making us sympathise with his colleagues. As quoted in The Guardian, "The performances – which also include Mark Bonnar as Linguard’s unsettling boss and Kelly Macdonald as Morck’s unfortunate but mandated police therapist, Dr Irving – are all first rate."
In conclusion, Dept. Q is a gripping and gothic detective drama that showcases Matthew Goode’s versatility as an actor. With its complex characters, twisty plot, and atmospheric setting, this Netflix series is a must-watch for fans of the genre. As The Guardian concludes, "A slightly harrowing treat, but a treat all the same." The series’ ability to balance character development with a complex narrative has been praised by critics, and it is clear that Dept. Q is a standout production in the world of detective drama.
The narrative of Dept. Q involves a missing necklace, a brutal historic beating, the perils of isolated village life, urban horrors, and institutional failings ranging from simple incompetence to outright corruption. The show’s writers, Chandni Lakhani and Stephen Greenhorn, have done an excellent job of crafting a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
The reviewer for The Guardian noted that "The pacing has a leisurely confidence that some may find a touch slow, but allows for a character-first approach, creating a richness that amply rewards initial patience." Dept. Q is a testament to the fact that sometimes the best dramas are the ones that take their time to unfold, allowing the characters to breathe and the story to develop in a way that feels organic and authentic.
Source: The Guardian – Netflix Dept. Q review: this excellent detective drama is a grimy gothic treat
