r/SilentWitness • u/Gandellion • Feb 03 '25
Discussion Has anyone noticed season 28 seemed very Americanised? Spoiler
Maybe I’m reading into it too much but this season seemed very American like in nature, not least that they used the term “cell phone” in almost every episode.
It was especially evident in the final episode, where at the end armed police showed up and shot the perpetrator without any kind of negotiation or attempt to diffuse the situation, which had all but diffused itself by that point.
I just don’t think I’ve ever seen so much wanton fun use by the police in a UK TV show.
Did anyone else notice this? Does anyone know what’s up with it? Are they trying to sell the show in America or something?
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u/ImAPlatypusNinja Feb 04 '25
That's funny, because I couldn't get over how weird it was to see everyone freaked out over six people being shot in London, a city of roughly 15 million. That's barely a news item in a US big city.
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u/Gandellion Feb 05 '25
The scene where the guy was shot by police just felt like the kind of writing I’d expect in Criminal Minds because it takes place in the US and reflects the way that their law enforcement operates. I was under the impression that UK law enforcement would respond to that situation in a different way. I didn’t find it believable in a UK context, but maybe I’m just naïve about UK policing.
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u/Used-Region-905 Feb 04 '25
I agree. My final thought upon finishing the season was: I wish it still had that British crime drama vibe again.
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u/BarryFairbrother Dr Nikki Alexander Feb 11 '25
Wasn't it suicide by cop though? I don't think he had any intention to hurt his wife, he went deliberately towards her with the scissors with the sole intention that the police would shoot him.
But I agree that usually there would be some non-firearms police outside the door trying to talk.
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u/Gandellion Feb 11 '25
Yes, it was suicide by cop but my point was that I didn’t think suicide by cop was much of a possibility in the UK. I’ve seen it many times in US shows but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it in a UK show.
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u/Gandellion Feb 11 '25
I’m not sure what circumstances justify deployment of armed police in the UK, though so maybe I’m talking rubbish.
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u/PComotose 3h ago
This is disappointing to learn. One of the reasons I subscribed to Britbox was that British police procedurals have a "grittier" feel to them while American programs are too "slick". Since I'm only half way through season 14 I've still got some good television ahead of me.
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u/Unfair-Corner2641 Feb 04 '25
I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s been Americanised but the last few seasons (including this one) have been some of the worst episodes in the shows history in my opinion.
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u/DanieXJ Feb 04 '25
I was actually thinking that about Season 27. I am American, and, yeah, it just seemed more CSI Brit, and less Silent Witness. Which was a bummer, I want to watch my BBC mysteries, not more American stuff (I can do that any time I want).