Following a dramatic conclusion to its second season, and what felt like a definitive end for the detectives of H Division, Ripper Street makes a welcome and powerful return. “Whitechapel Terminus,” the opening episode of series three, throws viewers straight back into the grim and gripping world of Victorian Whitechapel, proving that this lavish crime drama is far from over. Indeed, like a phantom from the fog, Ripper Street has risen again, largely thanks to the passionate outcry and unwavering support of its dedicated fanbase.
Originally a Sunday night staple on BBC1, the move to Monday evenings in its second year, pitted against ITV’s reality behemoth “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!”, saw a noticeable dip in viewership. Despite the show’s critical acclaim and devoted following, the BBC cited the need for “fresh new content” as the reason for its cancellation – a decision that left many, including myself, questioning the broadcaster’s priorities. However, the fervent online petitions and a crucial co-production agreement with Amazon Prime Video breathed new life into the series, ensuring the stories of Reid, Drake, and Jackson would continue.
Picking up four years after the tumultuous events of series two, “Whitechapel Terminus” explodes onto the screen with the force of a runaway locomotive. The episode wastes no time in immersing us back into the lives of Whitechapel’s inhabitants, showcasing the significant shifts and transformations that have occurred in their absence, before violently reuniting them amidst a fresh wave of chaos. This unapologetic, headfirst approach is one of Ripper Street’s most compelling qualities. It trusts its audience to keep pace, dispensing with tedious exposition and plunging directly into the heart of the narrative.
We find Inspector Reid, now a widower haunted by loss, channeling his intense focus into his work, waging a relentless war against every shadow of criminality in Whitechapel. Sergeant Drake, emotionally and physically scarred by the previous season’s tragedies, returns from a period in Manchester, bearing the new title of Inspector bestowed upon him by Abberline. And Doctor Jackson, exiled from Leman Street by Reid and grappling with his own demons, has retreated into familiar vices, seeking solace in drink and the company of Mimi, the music hall proprietor’s daughter. Amidst this personal turmoil, glimmers of progress emerge for Rose Erskine, now enjoying local notoriety, and Long Susan Hart, who has boldly established a pioneering clinic dedicated to training women in medicine.
The episode’s central crime – the audacious theft of bearer bonds from a train, tragically culminating in the death of a signalman and a devastating collision between Drake’s returning passenger train and a locomotive from the grim Necropolis line – acts as the catalyst that throws our core characters back into each other’s orbits. The catastrophic train crash, claiming fifty-five lives, sends shockwaves through Whitechapel, underscoring the interconnectedness of its community. This is poignantly illustrated in a scene where journalist Fred Best offers comfort to a dying man, revealing a tender, perhaps romantic, connection. However, the true brilliance of Ripper Street lies in its nuanced portrayal of its characters, brought sharply into focus by the revelation that Susan, alongside her sophisticated lawyer and associate Ronald Capshaw, orchestrated the train robbery. This twist reinforces a crucial element of the series: every character we invest in is deeply flawed, teetering on the edge of anti-heroism. They are capable of morally questionable acts, yet they remain profoundly human, eliciting both sympathy and understanding.
The undeniable chemistry between Reid, Jackson, and Drake ignites as they instinctively fall back into their well-honed crime scene investigation routines. This reunion feels both natural and comforting, like slipping into a pair of old, familiar slippers. This makes Reid’s subsequent dismissal of Jackson all the more poignant. While Ripper Street boasts a wealth of compelling and fully realized female characters – a testament to the show’s depth – at its core, it is the intense, almost fraternal bond between these three damaged men of H Division that anchors the narrative.
“Whitechapel Terminus” also subtly lays the groundwork for future conflicts and darker storylines. Reid’s cold denial of laudanum to the injured Necropolis Line driver until he yields information serves as a chilling reminder of his internal struggles and his descent into a morally ambiguous territory. Bennett Drake’s veiled motivations for his return to London hint at a brewing conflict that threatens to fracture his relationship with Reid. And Susan’s ambitious endeavors to uplift and refine Whitechapel have already inadvertently unleashed death and devastation on a grand scale, suggesting a path fraught with unintended consequences.
“Whitechapel Terminus” stands as a remarkably robust and ambitious season opener, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and emotionally charged third series of Ripper Street. The meticulous attention to detail, historical authenticity, and exceptional writing elevate this period drama to a superior level. For viewers and fans alike, the resurrection of Ripper Street is a truly welcome event, ensuring the compelling stories of H Division will continue to unfold.
