Diagnosis Murder

Out of the Past – Part Two is the closing half of the 1970s‑style thriller that aired as a two‑part television event last month. It stars Claire Hughes as Madison, a bright‑eyed schoolteacher who’s just slipped into a fresh romance, and Tom Baker as Jesse, a brooding novelist whose latest manuscript has set the gossip mill on fire. The series is essentially a modern‑day “Vertigo” meets “The Last Picture Show”, with a small‑town backdrop that feels both cosy and claustrophobic. In this instalment Madison moves in with her new love, blissfully unaware that he’s not the upstanding citizen he pretends to be – a secret that starts to leak through whispered conversations and a few too‑close‑up glances. Meanwhile, Jesse finds himself under the police microscope after a scandalous novel, thinly veiled as fiction, lands on the bestseller list and points a finger at some very powerful locals. The tension builds steadily as both storylines converge, but the script keeps the twists coming without giving away the big reveal. Honestly? The drama’s charm lies in its slow‑burn intrigue and the chemistry between Hughes and Baker, which feels genuinely electric. It’s not a slick, fast‑paced thriller – the pacing does drag a touch, and the colour grading looks a bit dated by today’s standards. Still, if you enjoy character‑driven mysteries that linger like a good whisky, it’s surprisingly good, even if the occasional melodramatic line makes you grin. Rated TV‑14. Expect some strong language, mild sexual content and a few scenes of implied violence – nothing too graphic, but enough to raise an eyebrow. This is the first terrestrial showing of the pair, so it’s a proper treat for fans of classic‑style TV drama who don’t mind a bit of retro flair.