Why has Silent Witness got so bad?

[Puffykins]

I used to love it. Really love it. It's become totally ridiculous and I've lost all interest in what is happening. Is this just me, or have the plot lines masssively deteriorated? Also I miss Clarissa.

I used to love it but I can't watch it now without falling asleep. I have to keep rewinding and then I just fall asleep again.

Can't stand the flashback/imagined reconstruction scenes of what happened to the victims before their death. So far fetched.

It really is dreadful. I think the Fox woman is cringing hence her woodeness. Velvy is weird and doesn't offer anything. Not sure of the point of Cara bar inclusivity.

And Jack is psychic as last week and this he saw things through other's eyes - amazing skill for a forensic technician 🙄

Agree. Went completely ridiculous a few years ago when they stopped being forensic scientists and decided they were detectives. Such a shame.

There's already a thread about this started when the new series began which has been active since then!

www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/4711691-anyone-watching-the-new-series-of-silent-witness-ie-started-2-january-2023-bbc1

It's known as Slightly Witless in this house.

I can’t forgive them for what they did with Sam Ryan last series when she was semi dodgy. If you’re going to bring her back then bring her back to kick ass and help them solve something otherwise impossible, not to be some ethically dubious entrepreneur.

I have stopped this season. Previous seasons I have kept going despite reservations but I’m just not interested this time. I miss the old characters. I don’t mind it being unrealistic if it’s interesting but it isn’t anymore

The guest acting this week was so piss poor, it was difficult to sit through it, especially the daughter, Frankie.

If they can’t afford proper actors maybe just have fewer additional characters each week and go for quality over quantity?

It was strongly implied if not actually confirmed. Didn't Jack do a DNA test somehow?

The endless parade of new characters at the Lyell has made it hard to connect with them. At least they have a proper boss now but he isn't a strong character. They have been flailing about with no direction for the past couple of series, and their involvement in detective work is so implausible now, especially Jack's. I agree with a PP that the Leo, Nicki, Harry combo was the best.

I've also given up on it . Used to be really gritty with good characters but I feel it's run out of steam after so long

I only started watching it in the first place because I was interested in the face reconstruction at which Nicky was an expert and a major reason for employing her, iirc. I think she did that one. ONE. No wonder she's become witless and pointless over the years; anyone would if their major talent was never used

i reckon it’s because Jack has almost entirely taken over doing everyone else’s jobs, as well as his own.

not just Nickis, but the police, the bomb squad - everyone in an investigation. He just goes off on his own and is wonderful. So much better than everyone else, especially the women, who get to look at him admiringly.

and his 1930s style, run-down house is now chic and modern. Does he get his own salary, plus Nickis, plus the police? He must do, in order to afford all that.

he even wears a different colour of protective suit to make him stand out even more.

plus his new haircut makes his head look a really peculiar shape.

i do like Velvy. And Gabriel. They are good characters.

silent Witness used to be a good drama, with a strong female lead, often shown battling against the male establishment. Sad that has changed.

I'd be quite interested in forensic accountants. Darn sight more than Slightly Witless (what a brilliant name, encapsulates its pointlessness beautifully, nothing remotely interesting or passionate about it.

The writing has really gone downhill- it was always a bit clunky but it's now unbearable- the new trainee in particular seems to be only there to thuddingly explain the plot, like Basil Exposition in Austin Powers 😭

Actually, dh can go hang, next time it's on I'll be streaming Doctors.

So pleased it's not just me!

IMO it went downhill years ago. However, we now only watch it on catch-up Sat/Sun early evening as, as bad as it is, it's a darn sight better than bloody Ant and Dec and Prancing on Ice.

and another…

why does Nikki never look at the imaging before commencing her pm’s? Standard practice…

oh! Maybe the lack of any sort of medical qualification….? Isn’t her doctorate in anthropology?

Why does Nikki make such a horrible din when she walks? She is such a tiny woman!

It does get worse and worse, but we still watch.

I really like the new character Velvey. I like Cara too as a character, but I don't understand why they just let her wander freely around the department when they are doing work producing evidence for legal cases.

It’s dragged on way too long, a mistake lots of programmes make.

We used to really enjoy it but not for a good few years now. Doesn't sound like we're missing anything

such bad actors

Emilia Fox is cringeworthy. I couldn’t bring myself to watch this series because the last one was just so bad.

Just came on to see if anyone else thought this.

I hate Jack and Nicky as a couple.
Awful convoluted plot,
Also miss Clarissa.

I can't face watching anymore and I've watched it for 15 year ☹️