Ripper Street

Ripper Street was clever enough not to hang its hat on the over-examined killings of the five Ripper victims, and clever fans of police procedurals will relish spending eight hours with cops who have to invent the crime-solving tools at their disposal.

Ripper Street is mighty fine bloodsport.

[A] handsome, London-set 18th-century procedural. [21 Feb 2014, p.58]

While "Copper" took some time to get into a groove, Ripper Street is riveting from the first cry of murder.

With an engaging lead performance by Matthew MacFadyen, a breakneck pace, and strong production values, this is quality entertainment for those interested in programs like Ripper Street, even if it's not quite smart enough to break out of that niche market.

Resolution, in standard Ripper Street fashion, comes with ambivalence. It also does little to sort out Reid’s own complicated life. But its well-turned story should keep viewers tuned in.

Ripper Street is a decent but not especially remarkable thriller about crime solving in Whitechapel immediately following Jack's reign of terror.