MovieChat Forums > Ripper Street (2013) Discussion > What to make of Inspector Reid

What to make of Inspector Reid

posted 9 years ago by skay_baltimore
15 replies | jump to latest

Clearly Reid is a significantly flawed protagonist. He constantly uses/abuses people for whatever he can get from them (Drake, Jackson/Judge, etc.) regardless of the toxic effect his demands have upon their lives. It's almost as if he suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, whereby he possess some sort of savant talent but is otherwise totally oblivious to normal social graces and/or the effect his behavior and actions have upon others.

Having stated that...I'm up to the first episode of season 3 and am wondering what other viewers think of him. Is he to be admired, or despised? Or something in between. Personally I find him too flawed to evoke much empathy, although overall I do like the show.

"Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back in." -- Will Rogers

[–] merej 9 years ago

He can be quite ruthless but I still like him especially for his curiosity and almost childlike fascination with new inventions and scientific progress. One of my favourite scenes is when at the end of season 3 he learns who shot him and his initial reaction is not outrage or disapppointment but enthusiasm about Jackson's ability to match the fingerprints. I find that rather endearing.

After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.

[–] SrEditor 9 years ago

The action was at the end of Season 3 but his enthusiasm must not be until Season 4?

[–] opalfiction 9 years ago

Other than telling Drake to kill the corrupt cop during that boxing match, I don't think he did anything that went over the limit. That includes killing the man who held his daughter captive. As Jackson in the first season said to his wife "Reid isn't the kind of man I'd want to make an enemy of." Overall he's my fave character and I love how he looks baffled and a little annoyed 100000000% of time. Like a potato passing itself off as an Englishman.

[–] andrew-36452 9 years ago

"Down these mean streets a man must go --------" I suspect Rippers Street has an underlying theme of the corrosive effect of the conditions in the poverty ridden streets of victorian London.

It is interesting to compare the Ripper Street Reid with the real life Inspector Reid. The real life Reid was also a remarkable dectective with a strong interest in science. I suspect like the fictional Reid he was also not above manipulating those around him and his public image to the extent like our fictional hero he became something of media favourite much like James McLevy in Edinburgh or "Nipper of the Yard".

For dramtic reasons the writers have gradually taken the fictional Reid and his cohort into a very dark place.

Season 4 spoilers--------------------------------------------------------

Drake appears to be dead (not 100% sure as earlier episode hints to possible blood transfusion) Rose is in total melt down and destroying all those around her, Susan is beyond all hope unless she, the Captain and her son can slip on a steamer bound for exotic parts.

Season 5 speculation ---------------------------------------------------------

Deborah Goran Cohu) may play an important part in events as they unfold, the Special Branch Spook Constantine (Derek Riddell) may be a wild card that comes into play in Dove's downfall. The coppers of Leman street will fight the good fight and support Reid.

The real life Reid retired to the doomed resort of Hampton on Sea, his daughter married a Leman Street copper.

[–] Sweet-Anxiety 9 years ago

Today's morale's and policing can't really be compared with that of 100 years ago. More brutality between police and suspect or criminal could be excepted, but also there was no DNA evidence and science was only being evolved in police use. Remember criminals in over crowded English goals were still being sent as convicts to the other side of the world in this era.

Reid I think is ahead of his time. A very morale and ethical man. Who sees right and wrong very clearly, he's very intelligent, curious and eager for better techniques in policing. In this show he is portrayed as an Detective Inspector who feels responsible for the well fare of his district. And have God have mercy on your soul if a criminal, tries to harm those under his protection.

For all of that and more Reid is definitely my favourite character. Correct, well spoken, intelligent, polite, caring, ethical and very badass too.

[–] shellieeyre 9 years ago

Remember criminals in over crowded English goals were still being sent as convicts to the other side of the world in this era.

The last convict ship left Britain in 1867, more than 20 years before the events of the series.

I'm the clever one; you're the potato one.

[–] macfadyen998 9 years ago

Reid has been very gradually changed by Whitechapell, he is still a goodman but now realises achieving justice and upholding the law are sometimes mutually exclusive. I don't know if this was a concious decision by the writers but Ripper Street strikes me as a classic western transplanted to Victorian London.
As such it is a good andidote to most detectives series which are either too politically correct or too wrapped up in their protagonists sex lives.

I would really like to see a happy ending for Reid retired at Hampton on Sea, but like Susan and Jackson I fear he is doomed

[–] [email protected] 8 years ago

What you said. I just love the actor and the character, especially his enunciation!

[–] deniseactress 9 years ago

I cannot stand how this actor portrays this lead character..everytime he speaks it's an unnatural long ass soliloquy. The rest of the actors are great..but this lead guy I have seen him before and he does that with dialogue.

I don't think his character has Asperger's at all..He's just set in his upper crust way and can not loosen up as his fellow partners.

what Jordie?

[–] merej 9 years ago

I cannot stand how this actor portrays this lead character..everytime he speaks it's an unnatural long ass soliloquy. The rest of the actors are great..but this lead guy I have seen him before and he does that with dialogue.

That's the role not the actor. He can do very different stuff indeed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y27PUgbdtU

After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.

[–] deniseactress 9 years ago

Ok so I watched that clip you provided and he (albeit is much younger) he's still doing that affected thing with his dialogue....
I do like the resonance in his voice but lord he come across as pompous. And just say the words, stop him with all those dramatic pauses.

what Jordie?

[–] merej 9 years ago

oh well, more's the pity

After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.

[–] maryrosenkranz 8 years ago

Maybe it's more his voice. He has a deep tone which can come off as being very "commanding". I like him in this role.

[–] [email protected] 8 years ago

I just love Reid and Matthew Macfadyan!

[–] steelau 8 years ago

Yes he is one very fine British actor.