I'm not sure why the ratings for 'Substitute' are relatively low compared to other Waking The Dead episodes. I'm a big fan of the series. Enjoyed it first time around and am enjoying going through the series again. Obviously there a some episodes that are better others - although that is obviously in the eyes and ears of the beholder and even as a fan I can understand why WTD didn't have the same impact when it got to it's 8th series. We do get used to the formula and therefore have more a clue to where the narrative is going by the 70th or 80th episode than we did in the first couple of series. Yet, the writing, acting and directing still had the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat. Substitute is one of those. There are truly shocking moments (one in particular) and some uncomfortable scenes. It is slightly different from other WTD episodes because it is one of the few stories that mainly features just two of the team. This episode really only needs Boyd and Eve. The others are on the periphery and don't really need to be there. Happily Trevor Eve and Tara Fitzgerald totally own their parts as do the guest actors. Perhaps, the story is a bit unreal but that doesn't stop it from being thrilling entertainment and does open the debate to the main issues of the story. This like many, many, WTD episodes would have made a very good cinema release film.
5 Reviews
After an average start, it concludes with a great episode.
Sleepin_Dragon4 March 2021
Boyd works out what's being smuggled into the Country, Eve's investigations lead her into serious trouble.
It's fair to say I wasn't overly fussed by the first episode, in stark contrast, I thought the second part was excellent, this really was edge of the seat viewing. Very dramatic, action packed, exciting drama, you won't nod off watching this.
Some scenes were definitely upsetting, the opening sequences were horrible to watch, I remember when I first watched this, the scenes of that poor guy stayed with me for days.
It's no wonder Spencer wants to move on, it's a real shame but he's almost become a bit part player in this eighth series, early on he was one of the key characters, he's just gotten a bit lost.
Eve played a massive part here, she drove the story, Fitzgerald is a favourite of mine, and here she's just great.
The ending, I know, I know, it's absurd, and would never happen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this 9/10.
It's fair to say I wasn't overly fussed by the first episode, in stark contrast, I thought the second part was excellent, this really was edge of the seat viewing. Very dramatic, action packed, exciting drama, you won't nod off watching this.
Some scenes were definitely upsetting, the opening sequences were horrible to watch, I remember when I first watched this, the scenes of that poor guy stayed with me for days.
It's no wonder Spencer wants to move on, it's a real shame but he's almost become a bit part player in this eighth series, early on he was one of the key characters, he's just gotten a bit lost.
Eve played a massive part here, she drove the story, Fitzgerald is a favourite of mine, and here she's just great.
The ending, I know, I know, it's absurd, and would never happen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this 9/10.
Worst episode to date
NonDairyCanary2 November 2021
Faint praise where it's due, the plot is reasonably engaging, with its overseas aid workers, illegal immigrants and organ harvesting / smuggling.
Grace is often the most interesting character in the show, but there is precious little for her to do here. Spencer gets increasingly annoyed at being sidelined by Boyd, There is a promising if small window into Eve's personal life outside the lab, but only inasmuch as it introduces a dodgy character who serves as a way in to another cold case. And Boyd goes completely and ridiculously off the rails.
However, the real disaster is in the denouement. Without giving anything too tangible away, the idea that the police would remove themselves from the circumstances as they do, when what is coming next is only too obvious, is quite ludicrous.
Very disappointing. Evidence that, despite a great cast, the writing in the later series was going rapidly downhill.
Grace is often the most interesting character in the show, but there is precious little for her to do here. Spencer gets increasingly annoyed at being sidelined by Boyd, There is a promising if small window into Eve's personal life outside the lab, but only inasmuch as it introduces a dodgy character who serves as a way in to another cold case. And Boyd goes completely and ridiculously off the rails.
However, the real disaster is in the denouement. Without giving anything too tangible away, the idea that the police would remove themselves from the circumstances as they do, when what is coming next is only too obvious, is quite ludicrous.
Very disappointing. Evidence that, despite a great cast, the writing in the later series was going rapidly downhill.
Silly ending
nedssite2 August 2020
As usual, these episodes are often too long. This particular one had an interesting first part and a totally unbelievable second half and pretty much nonsensical ending. It's a wonder the writers/director don't actually realize that.
Even for this show
gazomg6 January 2023
I love this show but one of the drawbacks is how so many of the guilty parties never get caught or get killed in some twisted ending.
Arresting the guilty seems a rarity in this show,it is almost like the twist at the end has become a cliche.
However the shows overall still were brilliant for the majority, the start and ending to this muddled show was nonsensical at best, the DNA test at the start, and the ridiculous end makes this show the only episode worth completely skipping if doing a binge watch as I am doing.
Even the episode Deus Ex Machina, which was the worst up to this point suddenly seems better.
Arresting the guilty seems a rarity in this show,it is almost like the twist at the end has become a cliche.
However the shows overall still were brilliant for the majority, the start and ending to this muddled show was nonsensical at best, the DNA test at the start, and the ridiculous end makes this show the only episode worth completely skipping if doing a binge watch as I am doing.
Even the episode Deus Ex Machina, which was the worst up to this point suddenly seems better.
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