#bancroft s2

When Joe is dragged into the middle of a double murder case, Bancroft determines to do anything to protect her son and finds herself up against a chilling new antagonist.   

Elizabeth Bancroft is a cop with a lot of skeletons in her closet. I fell absolutely in love with her in the first episode of season 1. Bancroft is incredibly clever, ambitious, devious and ruthless – her underhanded tactics and appalling acts are committed not because she enjoys it, but because she feels them to be necessary. It makes her a very interesting character to watch. Sarah Parish as always plays her brilliantly.

But this season is different. Because not only do we know Bancroft’s ugly secrets this time around, she’s also different to the woman we came to know in season 1. Season 2 Bancroft may have everything she ever aimed for professionally, but personally, she has lost her son, who blames her for the death of his girlfriend. The inclusion of Bancroft’s mother was an interesting addition, allowing for some hints into backstory that I hope will be properly explored in season 3.

Season 2 Bancroft is not as in control – she’s starting to lose it, and the people around her are starting to take notice. She puts the respect her colleagues have for her on the line due to her actions, and this comes back to bite her, thanks also to longtime enemy Cliff Walker, who has been suspicious of her since season 1.

Not matter what Bancroft does, I like her and I’m rooting for her. Even when she’s killing people herself, or getting someone else to do her dirty work. The  suspense in Bancroft is brilliantly executed – I’m constantly on the edge of my seat, hoping that she’ll best all of her opponents, and cheering her on as she bloodily removes the obstacles against her. She’s so charismatic, I can’t help but like her.

This season’s antagonist is a woman much like Bancroft, a woman who also happens to be her son’s fiancee. Annabel is both calculating and charismatic, her smarts and psychopathic tendencies almost rival Bancroft’s. Yet Bancroft evidently sees herself differently – whilst her actions are out of ‘necessity’, Annabel is playing a game because she’s bored. Nevertheless, Bancroft knows how people like Annabel think because in some ways they are quite similar. Bancroft still has to work for it, but her eventual triumph over Annabel proves just how good she is. This cat and mouse game between two such women made for an incredible season full of tension.

I was worried at the end when Bancroft was tied down and held at gunpoint by Annabel, that DSU Jake Harper’s arrival meant he was going to be the one to save her. I’m so glad that wasn’t the case. What I love about Bancroft is that not only is she independent, she’s also two steps ahead of everyone else, and I felt a rescue would’ve cheapened her triumph over Annabel. I did however get the vibe later that Jake might have a bit of a thing for Bancroft, or was I imagining that?

Of course, it turns out that Bancroft isn’t always two steps ahead, and by the end of the season, she starts to face some consequences for her actions, as certain individuals are enlightened as to her true nature. As annoyed as I am that Bancroft had this loss after such a big high, I am interested to see how this storyline will play out next season. How will Bancroft get herself out of this one?