Shetland - Season 7

Saying goodbye hurts, also in Shetland. Note: This review is not entirely free from spoilers.

This is, as already announced, the last season with Inspector Jimmy Perez. The face of the Shetland series is quitting. Actor Douglas Henshall has played the role of Jimmy with verve. He leaves a big hole and it will be a big challenge to fill that gap. Unfortunately, as so often, the farewell is not at the climax of the series. While this season has all the ingredients that made Shetland great, it also evokes some ambivalence.

The face of the series will be leaving.

That already starts with a number of mediocre moments. For example, the first corpse that is found is apparently done by a professional killer. The outcome at the end of the season shows a very different perpetrator. In addition, specific details are forgotten. So they are not explained. Doesn't normally have to be a big deal, but in this case it raises questions. Furthermore, the story seems to revolve around environmental extremists who take actions that negatively affect the environment. I think that would be unique. They are unusual mistakes that this series normally does not make.



What remains is a glimpse into the private world of Jimmy and his colleagues. This time the main focus is on Tosh. Her life revolves around her young family. However, when some heavy drama takes place, she seems to follow Jimmy's path and throw herself completely into her work. That is only partly true. What also remains, of course, is the fantastic scenery of Shetland itself. With such a background, a series automatically gets something special.

Sometimes the logic is missing.

This seventh season is about the disappearance of a young cartoonist. He turns out to be different than initially thought. His parents also seem to have the necessary secrets. In addition, the people in his immediate environment have more to hide than expected. When murders related to this case occur, the urgency to solve the case only increases. Of course, there are again the necessary plot changes and surprises before we can finally say goodbye to Jimmy.



Unfortunately, the seventh season is not quite of the unprecedented high level that we are used to from Shetland. The writers seem to have been forced to write a suitable farewell to Jimmy, which shows. That was at the expense of the story. The logic is sometimes lacking, also in the behavior of Jimmy Perez himself. It remains to be seen that this season also provides enough exciting moments. As a viewer, you are regularly put on the wrong track again this time. The questions 'Who did it?' and why?' stay upright to the very end.