A Very English Scandal, episode two, review: Ben Whishaw is a delight in this raucous adapation of the Thorpe affair

Benji Wilson
Updated
Ben Whishaw as Norman Scott in the BBC adaptation of ‘A Very English Scandal’ - WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) as set out at www.bbcpictures.co.uk. In particular, this image may only be published by a registered User of BBC Pictures for editorial use for the purpose of publicising the relevant BBC programme, personnel or activity during the Publicity Period which ends three review weeks following the date of transmission and provided the BBC and the copyright holder in the caption are credited. For any other purpose whatsoever, including advertising and commercial, prior written approval from the copyright holder will be required.

The first episode of A Very English Scandal (BBC One) ended with Liberal Party MP Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant) proclaiming matter-of-factly that Norman Scott, his former lover, had to die. “So, how?” he asked as the credits rolled.

By the end of episode two last night, Thorpe still wanted Scott dead, which might suggest that, like so many second episodes in three-part dramas, writer Russell T Davies had simply stuck the plot in a holding pattern. Certainly there is enough to enjoy in Grant’s performance as Thorpe to see anyone through several hours (not least his pronunciation of the word “motorway”, which contains a gap between the two words wider than a central reservation).

Yet, if not that much really happened, it was still a constant delight. Davies and director Stephen Frears simply turned their attention to Scott, played by Ben Whishaw, whose performance got better and better as his hair got worse. Whishaw’s Scott is a man-child perpetually on the edge. Set against the entitlement and egotism of Thorpe, for whom everything from politics to people is all just a bally old game, it’s impossible not to feel sorry for Scott. As Thorpe charmed his way to the top, we watched Scott literally having to dig for his supper.

Ben Whishaw with Eve Myles in the BBC adaptation of ‘A Very English Scandal’  - Credit: BBC
Ben Whishaw with Eve Myles in the BBC adaptation of ‘A Very English Scandal’ Credit: BBC

While we wait for Thorpe to get his comeuppance in the final episode, Davies carried the plot through the Seventies by fleshing out minor characters. I had wondered when Jason Watkins was going to get his turn as the Welsh Liberal MP Emlyn Hooson and here it was. Monica Dolan popped up as Thorpe’s second wife, Marion. Eve Myles walked off with the few scenes she was in as Gwen Parry-Jones, a Welsh hippy who fell for Scott’s floppy fringe and puppy eyes. It’s a spectacular ensemble.

Last night’s episode gave them a chance to have some fun: Thorpe’s instructions that Scott should be killed was played as a knockabout farce with Blake Harrison from The Inbetweeners on sure ground as Andrew Newton, a cocksure but ultimately useless hitman (who searched the whole of Dunstable for his mark, only to be told he was in Barnstaple).

A Very English Scandal: who's playing who in the BBC Jeremy Thorpe drama

At times A Very English Scandal was raucously funny, but it has maintained a bass note of menace throughout – it’s there in Grant’s twinkly eyes only when he thinks about Scott, a shot of pure loathing aimed at a mere pothole on his motorway to high office.

 

 

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