Broadchurchis undoubtedly a masterpiece, and these fantastic moments prove it. The mystery seriesis one of both Olivia Colman andDavid Tennant’s best TV shows, and the pair are stellar together as the detective duo. Airing for three seasons from 2013 to 2017 on ITV, every installment ofBroadchurchwas an exciting TV event in the UK, and even now, more and more new viewers are discovering the incredibleBritish murder mystery show.
While the array of brilliantDoctor Whoactors inBroadchurchplays a part in the show’s popularity, it isn’t the only thing that makes it a spectacular series.Broadchurchis praised for its ability to keep audiences enthralled with multiple gripping stories that span throughout the series, comical interactions between its two main characters, and general tone and atmosphere, but there are some core scenes that prove the show is an absolute masterpiece.
9Dinner At The Millers
Season 1, Episode 4
There are plenty ofgreat crime shows likeBroadchurch, but few offer comical moments that make audiences fall further in love with the main characters.One of the reasons whyBroadchurchis a masterpiece is the rapport between Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller,and David Tennant and Olivia Colman’s respective performances can be thanked for this. In season 1, episode 4, Hardy has dinner with the Millers in one of the funniest and most awkward moments throughout the series.
Alec can’t decide on a gift, so he brings all the conventional options: flowers, chocolates, and wine. He finds it weird when Ellie calls him by his first name, and rambles to explain himself in the strangest way. His conversations with Joe are perfectly pleasant, butit’s clear that small talk isn’t exactly Alec’s forte.Even when the scene turns dark and the topic of Danny crops up, there are still comedic undertones, especially when Alec questions Joe about whether Ellie likes him or not.
8Susan Reveals Her Harrowing Past
Season 1, Episode 7
Initially, Pauline Quirke’s Susan Wright is an unlikable character. While she isn’t exactly redeemed,Susan’s interview with Ellie in season 1, episode 7 provides an intriguing new angle to the character.Ellie prompts Susan further, and the local woman shares her heartbreaking past with Nigel’s biological father and his two older sisters. In the other room, Alec interviews Nigel, where he reveals that Susan has been claiming he is her son.
Quirke’s performance is incredibly moving, and Susan recounting the abuse that she and her daughters faced is painful to hear. Considering the actress is primarily known in the UK for her role inBirds of a Feather, one ofthe best British sitcoms of all time, this harrowing dramatic turn inBroadchurchis an unusual sight. However,this moment raises the stakes massively, as it teasesBroadchurchaudiences and makes them believe the killer has been found.Of course, Nigel is completely innocent, but it doesn’t stop him from threatening Susan after.
7Alec Follows Danny’s Phone Signal
Season 1, Episode 8
The reveal ofwho killed Danny Latimer inBroadchurchis one of the most powerful moments throughout the entire show. The last half of the season 1 finale is an astounding piece of television, andthe moment that Danny’s mobile phone starts producing a signal again keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.Alec spends multiple episodes trying to track Danny’s phone, as it isn’t found on his body or retrieved from anywhere near the crime scene, which means that his killer must have it instead.
Minutes before episode 8 aired,Broadchurchcreator Chris Chibnall panicked, believing he’d got the ending completely wrong (viaEW).
The scene goes relatively quiet as Alec follows the signal, which leads him to the Millers’ house. For a brief second, he finds Ellie and Joe’s eldest son in the living room, and whileit momentarily appears that Tom could have killed his own best friend,Alec realizes the boy isn’t holding the phone. He eventually heads out to the garden shed, where he finds a guilty-looking Joe. This moment is eerie and unsettling, but it’s an absolute thrill to witness the detective finally catch the murderer.
6Alec Tells Ellie Joe Killed Danny
Another one of the greatest moments inBroadchurchcomes shortly after Alec finds Joe. The fact that Danny Latimer’s killer is Ellie’s husband is shocking enough, especially asJoe is rather inconspicuous for most of the season.However, it makes things even more complicated when Alec realizes he needs to inform Ellie, who has been a lead investigator the whole time, and is unaware that the person they’ve been trying to catch has been sleeping next to her at night.
National Television Awards (2014)
Best TV Detective
Colman’s performance in these scenes is absolutely stellar. Ellie’s reaction to learning the truth is harrowing, and she goes through various emotions in quick succession. She goes from denial, to being sick, then raging with anger, and then attacks her husband in custody for his horrific crime. For this moment alone,it makes a lot of sense that Colman won a Best Actress BAFTA in 2014 for her performance inBroadchurch, and if any instance in the show can be considered masterpiece-worthy, it’s this one.
5Joe Pleads Not Guilty
Season 2, Episode 1
After all the excitement ofBroadchurchseason 1, season 2 needed to kick off on an even more thrilling note, and it very much did. In the first episode of season 2, the main focus is on Joe Miller’s trial. However,despite his admission of guilt and the mountain of evidence stacked against him, Joe suddenly decides to plead not guilty.Naturally, everyone is shocked, includingFleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridgeas Joe’s junior barrister, Abby Thompson.
Joe changing his plea not only messes with the psyches of the already fragile Latimer family, who are also struggling for reasons other than Danny’s demise, but it makes things even worse for Ellie
This is a fantastic way forBroadchurchto continue its storyand focus on a new crime as its season arc, but also follow the fallout of Danny’s death and the impact it has on the residents of the titular seaside town. Joe changing his plea not only messes with the psyches of the already fragile Latimer family, who are also struggling for reasons other than Danny’s demise, but it makes things even worse for Ellie, who is already suspected of being involved, despite being completely unaware of her husband’s murder throughout the investigation.
4Beth Argues With Ellie While In Labor
Season 2, Episode 3
One masterpiece moment inBroadchurchthat is both dramatic and funny is when Beth goes into labor. This happens right at the end of episode 2, when Alec is distracted by Lee and Claire’s sudden disappearance, but when episode 3 begins, Ellie follows her old friend out to a field as she attempts to limp home in pain.Beth still feels betrayed by Ellie because of Joe,and naturally, their friendship has deteriorated because of this. However, this doesn’t stop Ellie from trying to help Beth, anyway.
It’s quite comical to see the pair bicker as Beth tries to get away from Ellie. Thankfully, Ellie is strong and refuses to let Beth’s judgment hurt the woman or her soon-to-be-born daughter. In fact, one ofEllie’s most hilarious quotes inBroadchurchis during this scene, when she calls Beth a “Stupid cow” for refusing to lean on her.While this moment is funny, it’s also a great reflection on the bond between Ellie and Beth,and how one person’s terrible actions can ruin a connection that spans many years.
3Ellie Pulls Rank & Makes Tom Come Home
Season 2, Episode 6
Olivia Colman is anactor who can seamlessly go from comedy to drama, and this moment is a great example of this.After Tom lies on the stand, Ellie confronts her son about his behaviour,as well as the fact he refuses to be anywhere near her, even though she didn’t know about Joe killing Danny. Ellie pulls rank on her son and starts shouting at him for lying in an attempt to help his father, and she lays some harsh truths on the boy. This moment starts out quite funny, but as Ellie’s rant continues, it becomes poignant.
Tom’s stunned reaction to Ellie being his passionate and fiery mother once again is brilliant,and you may see the look in his eyes as he realizes that she’s actually right. Ellie tells Tom he is coming home; she doesn’t ask, and her sister is very impressed by her strength. Ellie voices everything audiences are thinking during this moment, and considering the awful hand she’s been dealt, it’s brilliant to see her take a stand and begin reverting to the headstrong character we all know and love.
2The Residents Banish Joe From Broadchurch
Season 2, Episode 8
Another incredibly powerful moment inBroadchurchseason 2 is in the last episode. After Joe is amazingly found not guilty for killing Danny, he hides out in the church. However,Nigel and Mark find Joe, kidnap him, and bring him to the beach house where Danny died,where Ellie and Beth are waiting for him. The residents of Broadchurch take it upon themselves to send Joe away, making it apparent that he’s no longer welcome. Although the police technically can’t do anything about him in regard to Danny’s death, the locals obviously don’t agree with his lack of sentencing.
Ellie and Beth’s words are sharp, but fair, and only a fraction of what they deserve to say to him.
The Broadchurch residents take the high road. Ellie and Beth’s words are sharp, but fair, and only a fraction of what they deserve to say to him.They don’t injure Joe, despite the temptation,and Reverend Coates even organizes for him to head to a safe house temporarily. As the Latimers, Millers, Stevens, Coates, and Nigel watch Joe being sent away, it’s a very emotional moment. They’re scarred by Joe’s actions, but by getting him out of their lives, they appear to have a glimmer of hope for the first time in what feels like forever for them.
1Mark & Joe’s Final Conversation
Season 3 Episode 6
Killer Joe does face the extended victims of his crimes once again, however. InBroadchurchseason 3, episode 6, Mark tracks Joe down at his new job as a security guard at a dock in Liverpool.Mark’s mental health is a huge subplot inBroadchurchseason 3,and he starts seeing visions of his deceased son. After Danny visits Mark in a dream, he locates Joe and demands more details about the murder, in the hopes that knowing will help him seek some closure.
Mark asks questions that audiences are also pondering, including things like why Joe admitted to killing Danny, only to change his plea and put them all through the trial.Mark even tries to record Joe and entrap him,but the killer figures out his plan rather quickly. The last conversation between the men is astonishing, but it proves thatBroadchurchexcels at one thing that most thrillers don’t: completing a story arc from beginning to end. The two men get a lot off their chests, but Andrew Buchan’s performance as Mark Latimer in theseBroadchurchscenes is especially touching.
