[Warning: General spoilers ahead.]
Apologies for the interruption last week, y’all. I’m based in Texas and went a few days with spotty electricity during our winter storm, but all is well. Last week’s emotional Coroner marked the departure of our beloved Alison Trent (Tamara Podemski, who won Outstanding Performance By a Female last night from ACTRA Toronto), and this week, the series gives gifts us with the casting of Tamara’s sister, Sarah Podemski, in a recurring role. More on that in a minute.
In “Eyes Up,” written by Motion and directed by Charles Officer (who previously teamed on last season’s “Flipside” and “One Drum” and were just awarded for their film, Akilla’s Escape, at the Victoria Film festival), the episode centers around the victim of a shooting and the young girl, Rubee (Avery Grant), who witnessed it.
We get the POV on the girl throughout, and she’s wiser than her 13 years, holding it together pretty well under the pressure of an extreme trauma. Jenny and Mac are dealing with their own traumas, too. Jenny’s impending visit to Liam looms on the horizon, and Mac grows more introspective in the wake of his treatments.
When he meets artist Kirima Rite (Podemski) while looking into their victim, she challenges him out of his comfort zone, getting him out of his head and away from his fear. He also softens a bit toward Malik after he shares something of his own origin story with him.
Jenny’s meet up with Liam is more tense than either intended or hoped for, and she finds her “live in the now” mantra tested. Ross has decided to pursue massage therapy, and with his focus there, he takes it off Gordon, who gets some comfort from the company of a mystery woman (Jennifer Dale) while out on his nature walks.
It’s another really well done episode, and a lovely, light (relatively speaking) follow up to “Spirits” about being resilient and finding a way to hope.
Coroner airs Wednesdays at 8 pm (8:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem. Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on CBC Gem. All our previous coverage is here.
Photos Courtesy of CBC.
