The worst episodes of Broadchurch
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Three years later... Ellie and Hardy are called out to attend to a woman who has reported a serious sexual assault. They take the woman - Trish Winterman - to the SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) where she is examined. There's no doubt she's been raped - but where, and when, and by whom? Hardy and Ellie tell Trish that an ISVA, (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) will be in touch soon. This person will help and guide her through the legal and investigative process that will now unfold around her. Working on a clue found at Trish's house, Hardy and Ellie discover the crime scene and call in SOCO to gather evidence. But it is an unusual and difficult crime scene - will they find anything useful? The initial forensics report confirms Hardy and Ellie's earlier suspicions - this was not an opportunistic attack, it was planned. Hardy concludes that they have a serious sexual predator at large in the town, someone who may strike again.
- 02
Return of the critically acclaimed crime drama set in a Dorset seaside town. In the first series, the murder of 11-year-old Danny Latimer rocked Broadchurch, as DI Alec Hardy - still haunted by the collapse of a previous case he worked on - was put in charge of the investigation. Many local residents came under suspicion, including the boy's father Mark, and the revelation of the killer's identity had far-reaching consequences after weeks of speculation.
- 03
The townspeople struggle to come to terms with recent events, and shock waves reverberate through Broadchurch. What will the impact be on the Latimers? Meanwhile, Paul continues his secret meetings and Hardy must face a figure from his past.
- 04
Family tensions surface as Ellie struggles to control her sister Lucy, Mark Latimer has a decision to make and Alec Hardy has to face his demons.
- 05
Ellie tries to wrest back control, and time is running out for Alec Hardy. Meanwhile, Beth Latimer has to face an emotional ordeal alone.
- 06
Hardy and Ellie uncover the truth behind the rape of Trish Winterman, and lives in Broadchurch are changed forever.
- 07
The detectives have their work cut out identifying key suspects, especially as the location of Danny's murder is still a mystery, but Miller discovers some suspicious items taped under the victim's bed and in his sister Chloe's room, which could help them get closer to the truth. Meanwhile, Hardy finds an isolated clifftop hut that arouses his curiosity, the Latimers struggle to cope with their grief and the Rev Paul Coates decides to address the local media.
- 08
Hardy faces a race against time as Ellie discovers a startling new piece of evidence, forcing them to reassess their suspicions. Meanwhile, with DS Miller coming under intense pressure from all sides, life for Mark and Beth is about to change for ever.
- 09
New information forces Hardy and Ellie to re-evaluate what they believe. Is it possible that they have been wrong about everything so far?
- 10
Hardy and Ellie appeal to Trish to be more open with them. She may have information that - although not related to the attack - could help the investigation. Trish, for her own reasons, doesn't want to. There are lots of men to eliminate from the enquiry, and Broadchurch CID are slowly making their way through the painstaking process of interviewing witnesses and collecting statements. They start to uncover inconsistencies and lies - and previously hidden connections between Trish and some suspects. Trish receives an unnerving gift from an anonymous sender.
- 11
Important pieces of evidence come to light against all the key suspects in the case – Ellie and Hardy can feel the vice tightening and know that soon, the case will crack open...
- 12
Fingerprints at the crime scene lead DI Hardy and DS Miller to a shocking suspect in Danny's murder - his father. When questioned, Mark explains he had been there recently to repair a boiler, but his alibi for the night of the murder quickly falls apart. Meanwhile, Steve Connelly approaches Beth claiming to have a message - from her dead son.
- 13
Ellie and Hardy bring a new suspect in for questioning. In a search of this suspect's premises, Ellie finds devastating new evidence linking him to the crime.Back at the station, DC Katie Harford confronts Ellie and Hardy with an uncomfortable truth about her role in the investigation.Hardy and Ellie's new suspect gives them his detailed version of events, but when they dig deeper they begin to doubt his story.Ellie and Hardy discover that Ian has taken a personal item of Trish's without her knowledge. They seize it for examination. What can they learn from it?
- 14
Out-of-town DI Alec Hardy investigates the mysterious death of an 11-year-old boy in an idyllic seaside community, aided by local girl DS Ellie Miller, who has her work cut out dealing with her unyielding new boss. Meanwhile, the sadness of losing their child consumes Beth and Mark Latimer as they and the other residents of Broadchurch try to cope with the media frenzy surrounding the case.
- 15
Local journalist Olly investigates Jack, the newsagent for whom Danny did a paper round - and discovers a suspicious previous conviction. Meanwhile, Beth and Mark try to get more national press coverage of their son's death in an attempt to find his killer, and Hardy goes for dinner with Miller and her husband, but blacks out in his hotel room later that evening.
- 16
To Ellie and Hardy, and the rest of Broadchurch CID, it becomes clear very quickly that the location of the attack and all the surrounding circumstances are going to make this an incredibly difficult investigation. Ellie and Hardy start to investigate Trish's life. Who are her friends and family? The men in her life? They meet her ex-husband Ian, her best friend's husband Jim, and Lucas, a local cab driver. All of them were in the area when the attack took place. Ellie and Hardy need Trish to give her main video interview, which will be relied on in court if the case goes that far, but she is still in trauma. They need to move the investigation forward quickly as there is a predator on the loose. Trish's ISVA tells Hardy and Ellie that she doesn't think Trish is ready, but Hardy decides they should go ahead. But it is too soon - they do get more information, but Trish brings the interview to a premature end when they ask her a question that she is not prepared to answer.
- 17
A trap is set - but will it have the desired result? In a turn of events she could never have foreseen, Ellie finds herself exposed and alone.
- 18
Trish returns to the scene of the crime - will she remember anything more about the attack?DC Katie Harford discovers a strong lead - a new suspect who doesn't have an alibi.Questioned by Ellie and Hardy, Cath reveals interesting new information about the night of her party.Finally, a breakthrough - Hardy and Ellie get a match on the male DNA found on Trish.An unknown woman walks into the police station. Interviewed by Ellie and Hardy, she delivers some devastating new information.
- 19
Files are piling up at the police station but, with no fresh leads or witnesses, the case is stalling and morale is low. Hardy is stunned when he's told to scale back resources and feels his hope of catching Danny's killer is slipping away. However, at the Broadchurch Echo, Maggie grows determined to solve a mystery that has taken a very personal turn for her. How will her efforts affect the official investigation?
- 20
Following recent events, Miller is more isolated than ever before as she tries to find out what happened at the clifftop hut. Meanwhile, the police are circling Susan as Nige grows increasingly desperate for her to leave Broadchurch. What is she hiding? And which members of the local community hold the key to Danny's death?
- 21
Miller realises the evidence Jack handed over does not tally with her knowledge of Danny's possessions, while Olly and Karen work together on an article about the newsagent's past. However, the next morning when they read the paper, they discover the piece has been rewritten to make Jack look like a sex offender - and the police can offer little protection.
- 22
A new witness tells Hardy and Ellie their story. This information turns Ellie and Hardy's understanding of Trish's case upside down.Katie discovers a crucial new link between the case and a key suspect. Ellie and Hardy investigate the suspect's alibi more closely and find worrying inconsistencies.Beth tells her supervisor about Trish's case. Their discussion leads them to come forward to Ellie and Hardy with new revelations.Lucas reveals what he saw on the night of the party. Jim reacts violently, telling him to keep his mouth shut.A call from the owner at Axehampton forces Ellie and Hardy to hurry back to the grounds of the house once more.
- 23
Decisions are made, truths are revealed and lives in Broadchurch are changed forever.
- 24
After weeks of speculation, the Broadchurch community struggles to come to terms with the truth about the events surrounding Danny Latimer's death, and the revelations threaten to prevent the dead boy from being allowed to rest in peace.
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He's smart, he's good looking, and he's got a great sense of humor.
