Ep 1. The Man Who Wasn't There

McDonald & Dodds is a British crime drama TV series that follows the investigations of Detective Chief Inspector Lauren McDonald (Tala Gouveia) and Detective Sergeant Dodds (Jason Watkins) as they solve complex crimes in Bath, England. In the second season, which premiered on February 28, 2021, the duo returns with more challenging cases to crack.

In the first episode of season two, "The Man Who Wasn't There," McDonald and Dodds investigate a mysterious death in a prestige school, Barrington House. The episode revolves around the murder of James Millwright, a science teacher in the school who appears to have gone missing. As the story unfolds, it transpires that James Millwright had a troubled past and was struggling with mental health issues. When his body is discovered, the detectives realize that he did not die of natural causes.

The investigation leads McDonald and Dodds to a web of lies and deceit, as they uncover secrets that people have been harboring for years. In the course of their investigation, the detectives interact with interesting characters, including the school's headmaster, Dr. Dominic Brigstocke (Robert Lindsay), and the science department head, Karen White (Amy Nuttall). As they try to piece together the evidence, they also have to deal with personal issues that come in the way of solving the crime.

Throughout the episode, the audience is on the edge of their seats as they try to piece together the clues and second-guess the culprits behind the murder. The plot explores various aspects of human relationships, including trust, betrayal, and redemption, leaving the audience with a lot to ponder.

The cast has delivered incredible performances, with Tala Gouveia and Jason Watkins bringing their unique styles to their respective roles. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable, and their witty banter adds a touch of humor to the tense drama.

The production values are top-notch, with the beautiful backdrop of Bath adding an ethereal quality to the series. The cinematography captures the different moods of the scenes, immersing the viewers in the world of McDonald & Dodds.

Overall, "The Man Who Wasn't There" is a fantastic start to the second season of McDonald & Dodds. It promises to be a thrilling ride that will keep viewers guessing until the very end.