Prime Suspect: Tennison

Prime Suspect: Tennison, aired on PBS in 2017, is a gripping British crime drama predating the original series, 'Prime Suspect', set in 1990s London. This serie serves as a prequel offering viewers a deeper exploration into the life and career trajectory of Jane Tennison, one of television's most iconic characters made famous by Helen Mirren in the original series.

In Prime Suspect: Tennison, audiences are transported back to 1970s Hackney, East London, a time tinted with social, political, and cultural change. At the swirling midst of this we find Jane Tennison, a young, ambitious, 22-year-old probationary officer finding her footing at Hackney Police Station.

Played skillfully by Stefanie Martini, Tennison brings to life this determined woman, navigating the landmines of gender politics in a male-dominated work environment fraught with sexism, disrespect, and chauvinism. Martini portrays this much younger Jane Tennison as a nuanced figure, capturing her youthful ambition and determination as much as her vulnerabilities and uncertainties.

The series unfurls around a murder case that sends ripples through Tennison's life both professionally and personally. Jane finds herself embroiled in this complex murder investigation that pulls her into a dark underbelly of crime, heightening the stakes at every turn. The series effectively dissects policing's grittier side, bringing to the fore intricate crime-solving procedures, the soul-grinding bureaucracy, and the pressures that form the crucible of Tennison's character in the decades to come.

Complementing the series' spine of gritty police procedures and emotional vortex are the series' production values. The director and production team have meticulously crafted 70's London, bringing it to life with its unique dressing, props, and locations. Additionally, the series' cinematography deserves special attention with the camera work capturing the essence of the period while simultaneously suffusing the narrative with dramatic intensity.

Substantiating the primary narrative are overarching themes of power, gender dynamics, and institutional prejudice. These themes lend a distinct gravitas to the series, reinforcing the relevance of Tennison's journey in the narrative context. A recurrent subplot of systematic sexism accompanies Tennison on her journey, mirroring the real-world struggles of many women in traditionally male-dominated professions. The prejudice Jane confronts manifests not just in her professional space but also in her personal life, blurring boundaries and making her struggle more complex.

Prime Suspect: Tennison sets an ambitious narrative and thematic course for itself. It juggles multiple elements, from being a sequential crime drama to a character-driven drama. Through Martini's compelling performance and a robust support cast, the series manages to balance its twin narrative interests quite successfully. Sam Reid provides compelling support as Jane's senior and mentor DI Len Bradfield, adding depth to the script. The dynamic relationship between Bradfield and Tennison adds a layer of intricacy to the already complex narrative.

While the series does make the definite attempt to pay homage to its predecessor, it also diligently sets a unique tone and identity for itself. The narrative, though rooted in its thematic precursors, doesn't rely overtly on nostalgia or callbacks. Instead, it stands confidently on its powerful storytelling and arresting performances. The series is at times grim and bleak, true to its genre, but it never dissolves into pessimism. At its core, it is still a tale of determination, resilience, and justice.

In conclusion, Prime Suspect: Tennison from PBS is a well-crafted crime-drama series, drawing its narrative energy from a mix of intricate crime-solving, stark social commentary, and powerful performances. It successfully transposes Jane Tennison's iconic character into her youth, enriching her persona with a new dimension and unique context. Whether you're a fan eager to explore Jane Tennison's origin story or a newcomer to the world of Prime Suspect, this series provides a compelling narrative infused with edge-of-your-seat police work and poignant societal observations.