BBC Collateral episode two review

The first episode of BBC Two's cop drama Collateral didn't so much as divide it's audience as scatter it to the four winds. 'Is this a TV show or a lecture?' screamed half of reviewers, critics and internet dwellers. 'Panic, a state of the nation show' yelled conservatives, 'better trash it quickly, before anyone looks too closely at the actual state of this nation'.

Set against the backdrop of a London shooting and a 'why dunnit' mystery cop thriller (viewers were introduced to the killer with the snap of a plastic glove at the end of the first episode so – like Netflix's popular mystery series Sinner – we're left to discover 'why' the murder took place) Collateral goes out of its way to talk about sensitive issues. But that's not the only reason it's so good.

Episode two leans into these triggering areas (excuse the pun), and takes pleasure in turning all the preconceptions and expectations made at the end of episode one on their heads. Mona and Fatima, the two 'Syrian' refugees found in a mouldy garage are being processed at Harsfleet detention centre may not be as innocent as they seem.

Murderer Sandrine (Jeany Spark) is back at her army desk job with a brilliant storyline of her own that hits with painful foresight into the conversations we're having about sexual harassment and abuse of power. Laurie (Hayley Squire) is having uncomfortable conversations with the gay female vicar before disappearing. Nothing is as it seems.

The action is fast and slick, the characters compellingly three-dimensional, the storylines varied and interesting and the mystery at the heart of it all utterly gripping.

Those who objected to the first episode because they were affronted by David Hare's confusing lefty agenda are unlikely to warm up much in episode two. Those – like us – who were thrilled to see so many women in a TV show and issues such as gay priests handled so lightly and with such unimportance, will continue to be seduced by the show's politics.

Most importantly of all, if you can see past the 'state of a nation' stuff, and revel in the mystery and acting (Billie Piper is such a marvel), then we think you'll find a TV show that's as good as any. It's possible we're biased, but don't be such a snowflake.