The Hardest Word (1)

Two men are dead, and both have the word "Sorry" carved into their backs. That is the image The Hardest Word (1) opens on, and it is a nasty piece of work: sex-related murders, possibly the work of a man and woman working together, with an apology written into the skin of each victim.

The case gets more awkward fast, because the latest victim's brother is linked to organised crime. So three outside officers are brought in to help, and Boyd takes an instant dislike to all of them. All except Dr Greta Simpson, who manages to pass whatever test Boyd runs in his head. The rest of the squad shares his instinct. These new faces are meant to be colleagues, and nobody in that office can quite bring themselves to trust them, which turns every conversation about the case into a negotiation.

Barbara Machin and Doug Milburn wrote it, Philippa Langdale directed. Trevor Eve leads as Boyd with Sue Johnston as Grace Foley, Holly Aird as Frankie Wharton, Claire Goose as Amelia Silver and Wil Johnson as Spencer. Phil Daniels is back as Det Supt Andy Bulmer, and there are strong turns from Emma Fielding as Greta, Julian Glover as William Laurence, James Dreyfus as Raymond Carstairs and Phyllida Law as Mrs Carstairs.

The double pressure is what makes part one hum. There is the killer out there, moving towards territory even darker than murder-for-apology suggests: as the team digs, it starts to look like the trail could lead to a paedophile group. And then there is the office itself, poisoned by the presence of officers nobody asked for.

Boyd sulking at competent newcomers is an old pleasure of this show. Here it has actual consequences, because the people he is refusing to trust may be the only ones not lying.