http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0297571/
Plot & Summary
6-episodes TV miniseries
For the performances, the great cinematography, and wonderful music themes, this a rare series from television that is as great as a movie. Gerald Butler as Johnny is a standout - so intense at times you quit breathing. I've forgotten the name of the actor who plays the Foreman of the jury, but he is also outstanding. The whole cast is superb.
A real jewel for anyones collection.
Rating
8.0/10 (347 votes)
Episode 1
When a 15 year-old boy, John Meyer, is found in a park hacked to death with a ceremonial sword his classmate Duvinder Singh, a young Sikh, is charged with the murder. The case has received an excess of publicity and reaction from across British society. As the trial is about to begin, those randomly selected for jury duty gather at the court and they too come from all walks of life. One is a reformed alcoholic; another a single mom with child-minding problems; there's a seminarian who is questioning his faith; a middle-class insurance salesman; and so on. After being sworn, the Crown Prosecutor lays out their case and begins to call witnesses. At the end of the first day, most try to just get on with their lives but interest in the case is such that several are asked about the case by inquiring family members.
Episode 2:
Before the second day of the trial begins, the accused is beaten by a prison officer delivering a "message" from the dead boy's family. While the head of the family, Ron Maher, admonishes his two surviving sons to trust the system it's apparent they have their own plans for the accused killer. Several of the jurors have to deal with personal problems including Marcia Thomas whose child minder is ill. As the testimony continues, the Crown calls witnesses who were in the park at the time the murder occurred, including the person who discovered the body and a professional dog walker who saw the accused running with a sword in his hand. The jurors slowly get to know one another. Johnnie Donne, a recovering alcoholic, and Rose Davies seem attracted to one another. Jeremy Crawford is shocked to see Mark Hall, the man who led him to financial ruin, at the court apparently serving on a jury in another trial. Charles Gore, who left his Catholic seminary, finally learns what has become of his former girlfriend. Elsie Beamish continues to have severe headaches and visits her doctor. Peter Segal's father-in-law continues to press him for his views on the case.
Episodes 1 and 2:
Episode 3:
Juror Marcia Thomas decides she's going to report the threatening phone call she received, warning her to find the accused guilty or else. She wasn't quite prepared the next morning when someone sends her a dead rat. Rose Davies' husband suspects something and takes the day off work to spend it at the trial. The trial itself resumes with evidence from Dr. Emma McGlade, the forensic pathologist who examined the victim. While there is little doubt that the boy bled to death, the defense challenges her interpretation of the nature of the attack. Rose and Johnnie have lunch as usual and they kiss not realizing her husband is watching them. Charles finally comes face to face with his one-time fiancée Isabelle who is now engaged to his best friend. Elsie Beamish doesn't get good news from her doctor. The defense presents its case and calls the accused as a witness. Peter Segal's pesky father-in-law shows up yet again to discuss the case but finds the car vandalized when it come time to leave.
The trial continues with the defendant, Davinder Singh, now questioned by the prosecution who try to paint Sikhs as a warrior race and the defendant in particular as a violent young man. The defense provides a reasonable rebuttal. The defense also call a witness, a woman who was attacked in the park the same day but who seems never to have been questioned by the police. The man who attacked her was seriously disturbed and the doctor who attended to him testifies that he would easily be prone to a string of violent acts. The jurors meanwhile continue with their lives. Peter Segal decides not to report the vandalizing of his car but promises his wife that if anything else happens, he will let them know. Peter's father-in-law now insists that they visit the crime scene. Johnnie Donne still has lunch with Rose even though his counselor advises him that emotional relationships are ill-advised so soon after going straight. Rose's husband has a message for Johnnie. Jeremy Crawford continues to speak to Mark Waters who has a new business proposition for him.
Episodes 3 and 4:
Episode 5:
The trial is now approaching the end. Jeremy Crawford borrows heavily against his flat to buy into Mark Waters' latest scheme. Johnnie Donne is feeling more than a little tender from his beating. Charles Gore tells his advisor that he will not be returning to the seminary and continues to help Elsie Beamish. When her husband drops her off at the courthouse, Rose wonders why her husband has a baseball bat in the car. Peter Segal's wife finally tells her father to mind his own business. In court, the barristers make their final arguments and summation to the jury. As the jury deliberates it is apparent that there is a wide variety of opinion about the defendant's guilt, with only a small majority voting to convict; several are still undecided. Afterward, Rose tells Johnnie that she is married and that the beating he received was likely inflicted by her husband. He goes on a drinking binge.
Episode 6:
The jury's task is coming to a close. Johnny Donne is recovering from his bender and has to come to terms with falling off the wagon. Johnny and Rose are appropriately awkward with one another. Marcia's reconciliation with her long absent mother comes to success. Peter Segal's father-in-law continues to meddle in the case. In the jury room, with Peter now acting as foreman, they begin to methodically review the evidence. As they sift through the information, they re-enact the crime and see if the timing is such as to have allowed the defendant to actually commit the crime. The evidence isn't conclusive and they have to find a way to move forward. One of the juror's reminiscences of having been bullied as a child leads to others opening up about their personal experiences. Peter's explanation of his views on the boy's guilt or innocence sways his fellow jurors and they are finally able to reach a conclusion. In the aftermath of the verdict, the jurors resume their lives or decide to forge a new path for themselves.
Episodes 5 and 6:
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