In a modern world
abounding with death and moral ambiguity, there are few things we all agree
are truly evil. I resist making a joke about the IRS. Seriously, some things
are just bad. Pretty much everyone will place serial killers high on the Unquestionably
Evil list. The fear of serial killers is more than just fear of death, it is
fear of powerlessness, fear of a seemingly omnipotent, viciously evil force—killers
are popularized to the point that they cease to seem like human beings.
Dealing with a
serial killer villain is shaky territory. I’ve seen many TV shows capitalizing
on this paranoia by diving deep into the psyche of the murderer, and showing
little goodness to offset it. On the other hand, shows like Dexter trivialize the horror and subvert
the clear demarcation of good and evil.
The latest installment of Endeavour is some pretty terrific television, reminding me of the
slick perfection of Sherlock. It neither blurs the moral lines, nor grants the villain super powers, accomplishing both these things without sacrificing suspense.
