I Can't Do It On My Own #Broadchurch S2

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— I Can't Do It On My Own... —

Firstly, it's important to say, that at the time this tribute piece was created, I knew very little regarding the Broadchurch 2 plot. Everything you see here is based on what I had seen in TV trailers leading up to the air date, plus a few spoiler pics already out in the public domain.

The title is inspired by a plea, made by Alec Hardy to Ellie Miller during S2/Ep1. Whereby, Hardy explains he is in trouble and, for want of a better word, begs Ellie to help him with the case that has troubled Hardy for several years, Sandbrook. (See below for more).

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— About the artwork —

The overall style of the artwork is influenced by my love for Art Nouveau and stained glass windows. Where as the theme, (much like in my original S1 artwork), is largely influenced by the bluebell wood viewers saw featured in some teaser TV trailers and early episodes. I have also, purposely, tried to retain some elements used in my Miller and Hardy 2013 design i.e. Dorset's famous Jurassic cliffs and the large moon.

Bluebells, bluebells everywhere

They featured heavily in S2. But what do they mean?

Justice and Health

Given what I already knew, from BC1, I wanted to convey two themes. One for each character, identifying
issues that are still evident for both detectives. As it stands, we are aware that (DI) Hardy is still an ailing detective with serious health issues. And (DS) Miller will no doubt continue to face a lot of personal trauma's as her life becomes defined by the outcome of the events in BC1. But does justice prevail her or fail her?

#TheEndIsWhereItBegins

BROADCHURCH 2

If like me, you're a fan of the BAFTA Winning TV Crime drama BROADCHURCH, you'll know what January 5th, 2015 meant to a #Broadie (yes, we have a name for our fandom).

For most, it was just another date in a diary. For me, it had been two agonising years waiting for my OTP to return to our screens. A detective duo I make no apologies for fan-worshipping both on and off our screens.

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Where do they go from here?

At the end of season 1, DS Ellie Miller and DI Alec Hardy's world has fallen apart. Hardy's notably ill, somewhat in denial about his heart condition, despite being medically deemed unfit for duty by the station's CS, which now leaves him indefinitely jobless. So what next? Well, he could return home. If only the situation between him and his ex-wife weren't quite so tense. The consequences of events that took place a few years before in Sandbrook.

Meanwhile, Ellie's vulnerable, facing the future alone as she comes to terms with the consequences and actions of those closest to her. How can she go from being a loving mother, with an assumedly doting husband, to a single parent overnight? Perhaps there's only one choice. Leave town. But for Ellie, Broadchurch has been her home for life. She has never lived anywhere else. Yet, if she chooses to stay, how will she cope with the numerous whispers, pointing fingers and glares of disbelief?

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What is Broadchurch 2 about?

How about I tell you what Broadchurch 2 it isn't about? It's not another murder. It's not about another body on a beach. A point writer Chris Chibnall is very keen to reiterate to its viewers. Broadchurch might have issues, but it's not Midsomer Murders! Instead, perhaps ingeniously, Chibnall decides to tackle two stories within one season. The first is, perhaps, inevitable and follows the court case of the accused as they run through evidence collated in season 1 that will hopefully convict Danny Latimer's killer. The second story finally addresses Sandbrook.

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What is Sandbrook?

Sandbrook is a tainted case from Hardy's past, that took place in 2012. A whole year before he arrived in Broadchurch. Shrouded in mystery, it was created to give Hardy a backstory and runs alongside the Miller v Crown trial in season 2.

Though cautious not to reveal too much, Chibnall first lay the foundations for the Sandbrook in season 1. This came in various guises such as the odd prop, some cleverly crafted dialogue and characters that would go on to be more significant in later seasons.

Unlike Broadchurch, Sandbrook is set predominantly in and around a housing estate in the fictional county of South Mercia, near to the River Sandbrook. Which in places runs close to a wood. That in Summer, is filled with the hue and scent of bluebells. All of which goes on to serve as another significance plot point in BC2.

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Timelines

Season 2 starts six months on from season 1. Beth Latimer is heavily pregnant and only days away from giving birth. Alec Hardy is still in town, living and renting a small holiday house precariously close to the water's edge, on the River Brit, having now left the Traders hotel. He is still showing signs he is unfit for duty as his condition appears to be worsen day by day. Yet, aside from attending court, others in the town are now beginning to question why he's still there. If he's solved the Latimer case, surely he can go home? Or does he have another reason to stay?

Meanwhile, Ellie Miller, having chosen to move away, now works in Devon. Under Exeter Police, as a WPC. A sideways step she prefers not to see as a demotion. However, it quickly becomes apparent, during a traumatic call out, that Ellie is in no fit state to deal with other peoples trauma. Especially while she is still trying to make sense of her own broken life. A life now exasperated by another dilemma. As she discovers her eldest son Tom, who is still residing in Broadchurch with Ellie's sister, Lucy, is being obstinate by refusing to talk to her and meet. Largely because he blames her for everything that has happened in the last year. It is yet another cruel reminder that the place she once called home is still hostile and off-limits.

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Don't Listen To The Media
Understandably, some folk just don't like, or appreciate, courtroom dramas. They find it boring and difficult to tolerate. However, if you are amongst the few who decide to turn off at this stage, then I can assure you, you're missing out!

It's also important to reiterate that season 2 is not about finding a new killer but, instead, challenges the viewer to question the UK judicial system. And to ask why, sometimes, juries don't always get it right.

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Never Give Up On Your TV Fandoms!

In January 2015, just two weeks after Broadchurch S2 began airing in the UK, I got a rather unusual, but welcome surprise in my inbox one morning. I was contacted by the BBC's - The Graham Norton Show and asked (yes...actually asked) if I would be kind enough to let them show some of my Broadchurch Fan Art, for a feature they were compiling, which would be seen on the night by both David and Olivia. I confess, at first, I did think someone was playing a prank on me. But, after further contact, soon realised it was a genuine request.

I had my suspicions what the feature would be about when I found out what pictures they were after, so I was aware they intended to be funny and taken quite light-heartedly. And while it may have been no more than about 1 min - 12 secs of TV fame, it was worth it just to see the look on David and Olivia's faces. A funny moment, I'm glad they took in their stride, that I will treasure for a long time to come.

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