19 Extremely Shallow (and one not so shallow) Reasons To Watch Silent Witness: Season 12
Made for picspammy challenge 19: Second Chance - Reasons to
There are many reasons to enjoy Silent Witness. From the polished scripts and terrific acting to the intense drama (Shadows anyone?) and a good blend of procedural cop show, witty humour and a nice smattering of gore. There are autopsies, firearms, hostage situations, trips to Africa (why BBC, why?), the mandatory let's-attack-Nikki episode, and the plots never fail to deliver. It is a wonder then, that such a serious sounding show has managed to bring out the shallow in all of us.
Alas, however, it has.
There are many reasons for this strange phenomenon. Fangirls in particular are prone to distraction whilst watching, and the catalyst is nearly always Tom Ward. In my research (cough), I discovered there is one season in particular that sums up the extent of shallowness this show has managed to extract from myself and others.
Season 12 of Silent Witness is a dazzling piece of television. It blinded us with new hair and new clothes, everyone got to take their shirt off at least once, and the BBC have recognised the extent to which ratings will rise if Tom Ward manages to take his off twice. Season 12 is my favouriite SW season, though this is not to say that the others are not as good. They Are.
(It should be noted that this does not include PH seasons. That is, Pre-Harry seasons. The very best are PNE seasons, however. That is Post-Nikki-Entering)
From the emergence of Jealous!Harry in the season opener, Safe, to the brilliance of the Russian mob in Death's Door; the utter squeeworthyness of Terror and Judgement, and then a beautiful look into Nikki's past in The Lost Child. Season 12 had me hook, line and sinker, and not just for ahallow reasons!
There is, of course, a final season 12 episode, Finding Rachel, which in itself is not that bad. Unfortunately, however, it does not live up to the standards of Season 12 Epicness. The team are very rarely with each other, Nikki spends half the episode in jail while Harry runs off with some young girl. Pretty much the best thing to come from Finding Rachel was Harry in a t-shirt and then in no shirt, both of which are shown below. Alas, Africa, you are a beautiful, complicated country, but please stop encroaching on my show!
I digress. Please enjoy these completely shallow, bias reasons to watch Season 12 of Silent Witness. If school ever lets me resurface I may find time to find shallow reasons to watch all PNE seasons.
{01} The Hair
There has been much debate over the issue of Season 12 hair. I like to imagine that between seasons a Hair War has erupted, with Harry growing a shaggy mop, and Nikki suddenly becoming a curly redhead. There are not too many fans of the shaggy mop. It's almost as if Harry's put a bowl over his head each night. Nikki, on the other hand, looks quite gorgeous, and I often get distracted watching how her hair style changes scene to scene.
{02} Harry's Wardrobe
Harry updates his wardrobe! Goodbye blue flower prints!
We have many coloured shirts tucked into jeans, the emergence of an old favourite of mine, the leather jacket, and the tweedy brown coat appears. One of the few good things to emerge from Africa is the sight of Harry's arms, as he experiments with some interesting hats and t-shirts. It is the jumpers, however, that are the highlight. We have the normal, stockstandard black and dark blue ones. He also segues into a white one at some point, and then into grey. There is some convoluted red stripped jumper that luckily is only seen once, and a turtleneck that should be burned at the stake for crimes against fangirls. The best jumper, however, is the bright orange one, dubbed the grandpa jumper. This piece of clothing was so brilliant it inspired fanfiction.
{03} Everyone gets their kit off
*gah* I did warn you this would be a shallow picspam, yes? I feel the need to point out that these scenes are all from the first episode, Safe. Either the BBC were trying to make a point about how gorgeous the cast are, or they're trying to attract new viewers by blinding them with the semi-nakedness. Either way, I'm not complaining.
{04} Sciencey Stuff & Technobabble
Occasionally, I stop watching the cast (rarely) and focus on the awesome sciencey stuff they are doing. Silent Witness is particularly known for its gory nature, and doesn't shy away from going elbow deep in a chest cavity every chance it gets. There are lots of medical terms and chemistry technobabble, so SW is not only good to look at, but educational! Sometimes they explain what is occurring, other times I like to sit there and nod, pretending I understand.
{05} Because they're not allowed to talk shop at lunch
Nikki: Leo's made a new rule, no talking shop over lunch.
Harry: Well then...(Proceeds to read results to himself)
(Nikki begins to giggle as Harry smiles. Leo rolls his eyes)
Leo: Doctor Cunningham do tell us.
Are they adorable or what?
{06} OMG! They actually have a life?
What's this? Our Terrific Trio actually have a life outside of the Lab? Well, sort of. Harry runs, and drinks, and has a completely awesome apartment, and drinks some more. He meets Nikki for a drink on the weekends before she goes on a date, during which time she calls him a drunk (nah...) and he drinks some more. He calls her a tart, which is understandable, seeing as she wakes up the next morning in bed with some unknown, but we do get a peak into her bedroom, and I learn that she and Harry both sleep on the same side. Nikki also attends a wedding, and has no qualms about changing in front of the taxi-driver. She receives emails at work from Harry requesting to share pizza, and Harry receives emails from a certain Ms. Mary Gibb's about presents for Mark and Claire...Who are these people? We are yet to find out. *dramatic music*
All in all what does season 12 teach me? These two lead quite sad lives...oh, and Harry's a drunk.
{07} Leo's DUI
Nikki: And you didn't think you could tell us?
Leo: No
Nikki: But to keep it a secret...
Harry: (sarcastically) Oh no, we don't keep secrets, do we?
Nikki: Well I just don't understand
Harry: No way he's going to tell us, he's our boss. It would undermine his authority. It would crush his moral superiority. He wouldn't be able to think he was right all the time, something which, I hazard a guess, he's really going to miss.
Nikki: (smiling) I'm beginning to understand...
Harry: Good god Leo, almost makes you human...(looking at results) what does this say?
Nikki: He'd been drinking
Leo: How old was he?
Harry: 14
Leo: Middle of the day...
Harry: (mock solemnly) Can you afford to be sanctimonious?
---
Nikki: You should have told us.
Leo: I was ashamed.
Harry: So you should be.
Leo: Sorry, I'm sorry for all of it.
Harry: It was a very stupid thing to do.
Leo: Listen, can we just draw a line under this, please?
Harry: Absolutely...not.
(Nikki giggles)
{08} Leo the Lion
Leo and Harry :D
Leo is so Dr. Lion. Strong, brilliant and passionate.
Kid: Dr Lion, who got shot?
Leo: Umm...
Harry: Dr Lion?
Kid: Is he dead Dr Lion?
Leo: (to Harry) Leo, Leo the lion. Then they found out I was a doctor, therefore, Dr. Lion. (shrugs)
Harry: (with all his sarcastic, awesome, bemusement) O-kay
---
Harry: So, how'd you get so well known around here...Dr Lion?
Leo: (sighing) Community Service
Harry: Community service?
Leo: Yeah.
Harry: Didn't think you served the community enough?
Leo: I had to do it...
{09} Prof Mander
I really like Janet, for no particular reason. She's smart, witty, and kind of adorable. She has a gorgeous smile, and compliments Leo. Between their meeting in Death's Door and moving in in Judgement, we're forced to make the assumption that their relationship has progressed quite a bit, though we get little snippets throughout the season about them. It's nice to know Leo has someone to go home to each evening, especially as Harry and Nikki seem to reside in each others pockets. Janet doesn't push him too far, but challenges him, and it makes for some wonderful scenes. I'm particularly fond of the one in Judgement where she subtly places her front door key on his plate at breakfast. God bless Leo, he's oblivious.
{10} Super Secret Agent Frank
Super Secret Agent Frank Cornish is assigned to protect Harry from the RUSSIAN MOB (who I will discuss later) and it perhaps my favourite ever Silent Witness character. I mean come on, he's awesome in a car chase, with a gun, is super sneaky and has a pen that sends out a super secret message in times of danger (except it doesn't). He is the epitome of Awesome. Plus, how brilliant is the shot of he, Harry and Leo? Poor dear boys...
Harry: (holding up pen) Can I try it, just once?
Frank: Well it won't work...
Harry: Why not?
Frank: It's just a pen. (smiles)
Harry: You bastard...
Frank: It's a good pen
{11} Because the RUSSIAN MOB are after Harry
RUSSIAN MOB! Okay, so they're not really after Harry, but for a large part of the episode he thinks they are, causing lots of flailing, drinking and staying away from the window. And an obligatory chat with Nikki.
Nikki: Are we talking about a murdering plastic surgeon?
Harry: (chuckling in disbelief) I do not know what we are talking about...motorcycle assassins, god knows. I've got two men, on guard, outside my door.
Nikki: Me too...
Harry: Watch out for motorcycles on the way home. And mopeds. They are lethal.
(Nikki smiles)
{12} Harry's Expressions
Emilia Fox has stated Tom Ward is the funniest person she knows. William Gaminara believes that he brings the funny. Really, his facial expressions speak for themselves. I could watch Harry for 120 minutes each week and be very, very happy.
{13} Because Nikki is Adorable
Luckily, not only do we get Harry being awesome, but Nikki being Adorable. With a capital A. I do believe Emilia Fox has the most gorgeous smile and laugh on television. I particularly love the scene in The Lost Child when she opens the blind. She mutters to herself and promptly shuts out the sun.
{14} Because she's concerned for the Cunningham name.
It's a short, little scene, but it never fails to make me smile. Not only is she concerned for his health and safety, and the state of his underpants (I'll let you decide her real motives for that one) she's also worried for the Cunningham name and the future little!Harry's and little!Nikki's.
Nikki: This stuff is about as highly regulated as Anthrax. There are strict safety procedures.
Harry: I'm sure that's what they said shortly before they released Foot and Mouth into a neighbouring field of sheep...
Nikki: Just wear an extra pair of underpants Harry, the Cunningham name depends upon it.
It is to my unending sadness that we never hear what he says afterwards that causes her to giggle.
{15} Because they have no concept of personal space
It's been commented on many times before, and occurs throughout all seasons, but they honestly have NO concept of personal space. None at all. Not that I'm complaining. Their space issues are always squeeworthy, and I much prefer it when they're both on screen together, rather than the camera switching between.
{16} Jealous!Harry
Perhaps the most brilliant aspect of season 12 (for me, and my shallowness, at least) was the emergence of the green eyed monster, otherwise known as Jealous!Harry. We've had little snippets, and a bucketload of fanfiction written on the subject, but this is the first, concrete piece of evidence that he REALLY DOES NOT LIKE OTHER PEOPLE MEN GOING NEAR HER! The middle scene, especially, is just brilliant. Sometimes I really don't understand why they aren't together yet...
Harry looks on as Nikki and Ryan leave the lab
Harry: (muttering) Bet he's good in bed as well...seems really unfair
(chuckles to himself)
Leo: (Knowingly) She's a colleague. This is an inappropriate conversation.
Harry: (quickly) Totally agree, why are you talking about it?
Leo is thinking thinky thoughts in this scene. We see you Leo, you shipper.
{17} The Kiss
The result of jealousy? Harry's never been so overly passionate and possessive in his life. Not to mention that fact that Nikki obviously has no intention of removing herself from Harry's personal space, grinning at him and then brushing up against him as they walk away.
Oh, and Harry? We know you want the goodies.
{18} The Hugs
Two very different hugs. Two very different circumstances. Both utterly gorgeous.
I think the thing I love about these two in season 12 is that their friendship is so open and loving, apart from their obvious Love for each other. They're best friends, and the only person they turn to in times of bomb scares and suspensions is each other.
{19} Because as embarrasing as it is, they're friends
I adore this little scene. Simply because Harry cares, and it shows; silly jokes aside.
Harry: You okay?
Nikki: Why does everyone keep asking me that?
Harry: I never ask you that and mean it. Embarrassing as it is, we are good friends, aren't we? Besides the jokes.
Nikki: The very silly jokes.
Harry: Actually they're really rather brilliant jokes, but, you know, you can talk to me. I've always been pretty good in a crisis, haven't I?
Nikki: Is that what this is?
Harry: We also found this. He shaves...
Nikki: So do you...sometimes.
Harry: It is not from his chin Nikki....perhaps you should get out more.
Nikki: Perhaps you should stay in more!
Nikki: They used to think you could see evil...bumps on the head, horns under the hairline.
Harry: Hmm...sure you're alright?
(Nikki glares and Harry laughs)
Harry: I'm going, going. Just going now. Gone. Now gone.
(Nikki shakes her head and smiles)
{20} Intensity
Nikki: Harry. I've just done something I've never done before.
Harry: What?
Nikki: I've concealed PM evidence from the police.
Harry: What evidence?
Nikki: She'd had sex. Oh god, I've never done this before.
Harry: Why did you do it?
Nikki: I don't know.
Harry: Not because you thought it was me, please.
Nikki: I did it because I was frightened.
Harry: What are you frightened of? (They gaze at each other closely) Barker? His DNA will be on the database.
Nikki: Oh god, what's happening here?
Harry: You feel vulnerable. (He squeezes her shoulder) For good reason.
Nikki: What do you think he's done? Well go on.
Harry: Just joking Nikki, not very funny.
Nikki: (serious) What about the stepfather? He's going out with the search teams to look for Liam, so he must be guilty too.
Harry: Who do you think it was? You can normally smell a rat at 50 paces.
Nikki: Can I? What's you're point?
Harry: I'm not making a point, I'm just saying you're good at your job. It's a compliment.
(Nikki nods slowly, watching him carefully, before turning to leave)
(Harry and Leo share a look)
Harry: Nikki?
Nikki: (quietly) Do you think I'm cynical?
Harry: I think it's a miracle you're not more cynical (he smiles gently at her)
Three scenes where the intensity is breathtaking. I can't pick what it is, maybe it's acting or writing brilliance, most likely a combination, but the chemistry between these two is near palpable. All three scenes leave me tingly.
Really, these need to be seen to capture their complete brilliance, but you can notice it in the way they watch each other, and their body language. Especially the last one, with them both leant up against the wall. There's such a physical gap between them, but the scene still feels like they're pushed into each others space.
Silent Witness Season 12: Watch it for completely shallow reasons. And the not so shallow, epic moments of acting and drama along the way.
Screencaps are my own, please do not steal/use without asking/crediting
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