There’s a marked improvement in the second of instalment of Chasing Shadows, which, whilst only slight, definitely bodes well for the rest of ITV’s new crime series.

Yes, the dialogue is still clichéd, unoriginal and rather clunky in a couple of places. But unlike last week’s underwhelming opening episode, this time there’s a much faster pace to proceedings, as if the show has had a major shot in the arm. Or maybe it’s simply because creepy Bryan doesn’t make an appearance this week. Yeah, that’s definitely it!

The main mystery finally kicks up a gear, with a few much-needed twists and turns being added for good measure. It really feels as though the series would better suit a single 60-minute mystery format as opposed to two-parters.

There’s a lot here and in last week’s episode that could easily be trimmed or cut down. But whilst that may be true, there’s no denying that this week’s episode finally delivers some interesting questions and answers to the case, with the final reveals resulting in a fine little twist to the so-far predictable narrative.

As ever though, it’s the cast who sell it. Reece Shearsmith is still the best thing about the show; his cold, emotionally cut-off and awkward performance as DS Stone is brilliant to watch unfold and develop, especially when we finally see a chink in his armour later on in the episode. Alex Kingston’s Ruth and Noel Clarke’s DI Pryor are still underdeveloped, but the actors themselves work extremely well with the material they have, and the hint at their awkward relationship we get here may well develop further next week.

There’s still plenty of room for improvement, but with the pilot episode’s teething problems out of the way, Chasing Shadows seems to be developing its own identity.

Aired at 9pm on Thursday 11 September 2014 on ITV.

> Order Chasing Shadows on DVD on Amazon.

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