‘Grantchester’ Finds Forgiveness in Its Series Finale

It will surprise no one that there’s not really a case to be solved, now that we’ve reached the end of the road for Grantchester. Turning the final two episodes of the series into a loose two-parter is part of what makes that possible, since we were already introduced to our would-be murderer, Dexter (Sonny Ashbourne Serkis), last week. Well, we say “would be” because the man he shot, Geordie, is alive and well and directing operations from his hospital bed when the episode opens.

Not to worry, Dexter gets to drop the qualifier within the show’s first ten minutes, as we are introduced to his family, Uncle Lester (Phil Daniels) and Aunt Jane (Dawn Butler), who are thanked for covering for him in front of Larry’s squad by the boy coming home and stabbing his aunt to death.

The irony of Grantchester ending now is that the series is probably the best it’s ever been, at least in terms of talent. It’s right there in the hospital room scene where Geordie and Alphy debate “love the sinner, hate the sin.” Rishi Nair and Robson Green don’t just have a delightful rapport – it sometimes seems like Green can have chemistry with almost anything with a pulse. It’s evident in the rapid-fire back-and-forth between them as they debate, the energetic patter that’s both funny and tender. Having watched every season, the chemistry between Green and James Norton (and then Green and Tom Brittney) was never this good, and whatever happens after this series, I genuinely hope we get to see these two work together again.