'Ridley' Delves Into "The Memory Jar" in Season 2's Final Mystery

Ridley Season 2’s final mystery, “The Memory Jar,” opens with a shiveringly good look at a brutal winter on the windswept moors. At the farm owned by Tara (Emily Stott) and Rob Dunning (Tachia Newall), they start another day in their homely, messy kitchen, getting ready to hit the road, Rob for work, and Tara to take their small son Leo to school. They’d agreed Tara would drop Leo at a neighbor’s after school, so Rob was alarmed that afternoon when the school called to say Tara never picked Leo up.

The nearest village is Colden Dale, a gossipy place with a community board run by pub owner Simon Beamish (Steve Cooper). The police barely start on the case before the internet, which is heaving with wild guesses and conspiracy theories. The police are not particularly pleased and arrange a press conference, while Carol summons Ridley, suggesting they visit Rob. Rob, convinced someone has taken his wife, is stressed and defensive; he eventually tells them Tara has bipolar disorder, but she’s taking medication. Her sister Sarah (Sabina Arthur) arrives to help, and he snaps at her. Outside, Sarah gives a different picture, telling them Tara had dark moods and struggled to maintain her marriage.

Annie Marling is surprised to find her business partner/love interest, Harry Bentham, considering a makeover at the jazz club she owns with Ridley, one that includes chandeliers. Annie is unenthusiastic; she is also annoyed to walk in on Harry cuddling up to a singer he’s hired for that evening, scheduled to go on in Ridley’s regular timeslot (for singing, not cuddling). He argues Ridley hasn’t been around much, and for the first time, Annie and Harry openly bicker about money. If Annie is serious about retiring to the Caribbean, they need to upgrade the club and prepare to sell for a small fortune. Annie’s name is over the door, but Harry’s is on the checks. (So who’s really in charge?)