The Long Call: Episode 2 Recap

After the first episode’s exhaustive introductions to the main players in the drama, it’s a relief to feel that we’re back on familiar police procedural ground as Matt and Jen’s investigation continues. They are now dealing with the abduction of a young woman as well as a murder, but whether they are connected we don’t know. What we are sure of is that both the Barnum Brethren and the Woodyard Community Center seem to be seething pits of secrecy and possible wrongdoing.

Once again it’s early morning, and Dorothy and Ruth Shapland (Nea Gwynne), the mother of the abducted girl, turn up at Matt’s house. They have found what may be an important piece of evidence — a necklace, still in its display box, found down the side of Rosa’s bed. Since the Brethren eschew worldly things such as jewelry (or cell phones to warn your adult son of an unexpected visit), someone from outside the sect must have given it to her. Matthew’s husband, unaware of the callers at the front door, wanders past in his undies. Awkward.

Matthew briefs his team, reminding them of Rosa’s limited experience and vulnerability. She has now been missing for eighteen hours with no leads. At the Woodyard, he and Jen interview Lucy. We already know that Lucy has lied and deleted material on her cell phone, and because of her disability she is underrated. The interview is inconclusive, but soon after, Matthew receives a call about a possible break in at an unoccupied beach house (chalet is the English term but the shabby little building does not evoke the Alps). He sends a member of his team, who reports that blood has been found on the floor, and that someone had been occupying the house longterm. The search turns up a laptop and a Bible. Are they Simon’s? And why and when did he use the beach house anyway?