‘The Chelsea Detective’ Brings Gangsters to “The 13th Earl”
It’s a deadly neighborhood. People think it’s full of rich folk but you’d be surprised.
This week’s The Chelsea Detective begins with a wild flashback, taking us back to 1746, as the Earl of Davenstock plays cards with his neighbor, the Earl of Cadogan, and loses almost his entire London estate. Cadogan, to Davenstock’s humiliation, allows him to keep a small fragment of his property, now known as Davenstock Square. It’s a nicely done scene with historically correct playing cards, candlelight, wigs, and fancy clothes. (Although they seem to be playing anachronistic poker.)
In the present, the current and thirteenth earl, Rory Davenstock (Sam Hoare), is also enjoying a night out with high stakes. The scene is a candlelit former church, now the home of Rory and his partner, Freddie Rollanson (Simon Manyonda). His guests include gangsters Carl Wilsher (Killian Coyle) and his brother Trent Wilsher (Eoin Geoghegan), along with other lowlife friends. Rory, high on alcohol and other substances, is having a great time, and doesn’t take Freddie’s advice to end the game.
Finally, their guests leave, and Freddie is furious that Rory is so deeply in debt. He goes outside to cool off, and sees a stranger, a bearded man. enter the church, and soon after hears a gunshot. After hearing a second shot, Freddie waits to make sure the armed man is not around, and calls the police. The victim is gangster Trent Wilshire; Rory has disappeared and hasn’t responded to Freddie’s calls. As the team arrives at the church, DI Max Arnold sighs heavily at the building’s garish modernization.
