Shetland episode five review
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Shetland episode five review – seven questions we have after THAT rollercoaster instalment!

DI Jimmy Perez made a huge breakthrough!

Each episode of Shetland series six just seems to be getting better and better, and episode five was no exception – here’s our review.

DI Jimmy Perez made a huge breakthrough in his attempts to unravel the mystery of who killed Alex Galbraith.

The latest instalment of the brilliant police drama, which aired on Wednesday November 17 2021, saw Perez finally make headway in the murky investigation.

Here’s our review of what happened in Shetland episode five – and seven burning questions we still have ahead of the series finale.

Shetland episode six preview
Shetland episode five review: Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Perez and Alison O’Donnell as DS Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh (Credit: BBC One)

Shetland episode five review – will Perez cover for Duncan?

At times, the Donna Killick story has seemed like an inconvenient side-plot taking us away from the real business of who killed Alex Galbraith.

Although linked – Alex represented Donna and helped get her out of jail – scenes between Donna and ex-flame Duncan occasionally felt, well, beside the point.

But that ALL changed in episode five.

Viewers saw convicted murderer Donna Killick grow weaker and weaker every day.

In shocking scenes, she asked Duncan for one last favour – to help her die.

Read more: Shetland on BBC One: Who plays Donna Killick in TV drama? What else has Fiona Bell been in?

The request left him horrified, but he ultimately agreed.

Duncan made Donna a cup of hot chocolate – which appeared to contain a killer dose of medication.

At the end of episode five, Duncan called friend Jimmy to tell him Donna had taken her own life.

Of course, Perez guessed the truth immediately and told Duncan to take the incriminating mug to the sink “to explain why his prints would be on it”.

So is Jimmy (Douglas Henshall) going to cover for his friend?

After all, euthanasia is still illegally in the UK.

We’d also like to know why she didn’t make the cup of hot chocolate herself, and what exactly was in the cup of cocoa?

Niven Shetland
Alex Newman as Niven Guthrie in Shetland (Credit: BBC One)

Read more: Shetland series six on BBC One: How many episodes is it, where is it filmed and will there be a series seven?

Will Tosh tell Jimmy about Sandy?

Of course in last week’s episode four, Tosh discovered the shocking news that it was Sandy who had leaked the crime scene photos.

In episode five, Tosh told Sandy she knew about his indiscretion – something he didn’t deny or even apologise for.

He asked Tosh to keep his secret, but that is putting her own career on the line.

Will Tosh tell DI Jimmy Perez about Sandy’s secret?

Sandy is a long-term and trusted member of DI Jimmy Perez’s team.

Although he HAS been in trouble before.

At the end of series five, Sandy made an error of judgement and was suspended.

Viewers saw original character Sandy Wilson suspended after his negligent policing led to a suspect taking their own life in a prison cell.

Surely Sandy will get the sack if the truth comes out?

Shetland episode five review – will Sister Carolyn survive?

At the end of Shetland episode five, Sister Carolyn – aka Lyn Harrison – had been attacked and left for dead.

Why? In a bid to silence her.

DI Jimmy Perez – and viewers – learnt that Sister Carolyn had been friends with missing girl Carrie-Ann more than two decades ago.

Carrie-Ann disappeared 21 years ago, and Alex Galbraith has been paying for her dad’s care home costs – something that bugged Tosh into investigating more.

Sister Carolyn admits that Marie-Ann is dead and that Alex Galbraith, Darren Bedford and Niven Guthrie are all implicated.

Before she gets to say more, she is attacked.

But, who assaulted her and will she survive to tell Perez more about what she knows?

Duncan in Shetland
Mark Bonnar as Duncan Hunter in Shetland episode five (Credit: BBC One)

Shetland episode five review – who killed Marie-Ann Ross and why?

Sister Carolyn admits she helped Alex Galbraith, Darren Bedford and Niven Guthrie cover up Marie-Ann’s death 21 years ago.

But how did Marie-Ann die and was she killed?

Could it have been a tragic accident at the party in the lodge?

Or has someone murdered before?

Shetland episode five review – who killed Alex Galbraith?

At the end of episode five, we still don’t know who killed Alex Galbraith.

But the lists of suspects is growing smaller – and Niven Guthrie is at the top of our list of suspects.

Logan Creggan has been ruled out, and Darren Bedford appears to have an airtight alibi.

However, Niven Guthrie is in it up to his neck.

He had an argument with Alex Galbraith just before he was murdered.

Tosh discovers that Guthrie Industries is in trouble financially.

Niven was desperate for a new contract, but Galbraith suspected he was cutting corners safety wise.

Could Niven have murdered Galbraith as a result?

And, of course, there’s the shared history of Marie-Ann which is bound to be connected.

Sandy in Shetland
Steven Robertson portrays DC Sandy Wilson in Shetland episode five (Credit: BBC One)

Why did Niven pay off Carrie Matthew’s debts?

In episode five, we learn that Niven Guthrie paid off chef Carrie Matthews’ debts the day before the accident on the dive boat.

And she was the first person to point the finger at Mick after Eamon’s death.

Did Carrie and Niven have a deal?

What’s the connection?

Shetland episode five review: Will Jimmy ask Meg out?

There is noticeable chemistry between DI Jimmy Perez and nurse Meg.

Is it wrong that we’re hoping for romance?

Yes, Perez has a heap of stuff on his plate, but we think he’d make a great match with Meg!

Not least because she can help care for Perez’s dad, who is becoming increasingly confused.

Watch this space!

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Shetland episode six airs on Wednesday November 24 2021 at 9pm on BBC One.

What do you think of Shetland series six so far? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.


Helen Fear
TV Editor