Silent Witness Shadows: Part 1 (1996– ) watch online HD

SPOILERS BELOW Having just watched this episode of Silent Witness, it's impact is still very much hanging over me. Unlike other episodes I've seen, this one has minimal forensic analysis, followed by seat-gripping tension suspended throughout the rest of the episode (after a disastrous and turn of events-wrap Harry and Nicki in to the drama much more than usual).

The scenario taps very effectively into a little realised fear for a British audience - a gunman/men in an academic institution. The fear is realised by the characters too, when the dean of the university finds herself struggling to cope with a situation she never expected, and there are a lack of protocols in place to deal with such a situation.

The episode was shot and acted extremely well, the tension and fear the characters were facing easily transferred to the audience, with the warren-like structure of the university buildings creating a sense of the characters being trapped in a maze, the viewer never knowing where or when the danger might occur only intensified the situation.

For me, being so immersed in the story (which I eagerly await the conclusion of tomorrow) made it thought provoking; especially having spent time in an American university where special alarms are set up to warn students. It posed unanswerable questions of how best to react in this horrific situation - whether inside the building trying to get out safely, or outside, desperately trying to take control and keep casualties to a minimum. I have seen a couple of films on a similar genre, but neither were as compelling as this.

Nikki and Harry are called to a University, where a Biochemistry student has apparently gone to the roof top and committed suicide. It's young DC Andy Salch that seems to have doubts over the boy's suicide. University Dean Jennifer Mears steps in and asks if all that's being done is being done and informs Leo he was bullied. Leo is scared as he's found a pregnancy testing kit, Janet is not happy with him as he refuses to discuss it. Harry and Nikki head to the university to dig deeper. The feeling of sorrow is transformed into one of sheer terror as gun shots are heard. DC Salch turns up at the University to speak to the students, sadly he is shot dead. Nikki, Harry, a Professor and a group of students are locked in a classroom, desperately trying to hide. Leo and Jennifer oversee events from the Dean's office, they have to watch in horror as Harry and Nikki walk along the corridor, ready to offer help. The Police team move in and clear the site of everyone, including the gunmen, one nearly dead, one alive and at large. Two devices are primed and go unnoticed!

One of the best episodes in the show's history, what you think is a run of the mill investigation takes a dramatic switch in gear after twenty minutes, the like of it to my knowledge had never occurred on the show before.

The tension and sense of threat they managed to generate in this episode is insane, you literally watch it with a lump in your throat.

The moment when Harry first had an inkling of hearing a shot, and wanders out to investigate is an immensely poignant moment.

For fans of gripping and tense drama Shadows is the gift that keeps on giving. 10/10