In the second season of PBS/Channel 4’s mystery series, Patience, records clerk Patience Evans continues leveraging her neurodivergent skills for York Police in homicide cases. However, her key supporter has been replaced by a skeptic detective, challenging her situation.
Patience Season 2: Stream or Skip?
Opening Scene: A picturesque castle in York’s old town. A woman in red strolls toward the castle, where she uncovers a man’s body among displayed photographs.
Key Moments: As Patience Evans (played by Ella Maisie Purvis) rides her bike through York, she reflects on the coded message on a box her late mother left behind. Patience, who has autism, narrowly escapes a motorcycle accident while wearing noise-canceling headphones.
At the castle, she finds the body of photographer Jonathan Starper (Julian de Backer). A chair leg pierces his chest, yet there’s minimal blood nearby. He also has two cuts on his neck. At the crime scene, Patience meets forensic technician Elliot Scott (Tom Lewis) and senses he may have feelings for her, although she struggles with reading the nuances.
Back at the police station, where she’s a records clerk, Patience assists detectives. She crosses paths with the new detective, Frankie Monroe (Jessica Hynes), who rides a motorcycle. Monroe replaces DI Bea Metcalfe (Laura Fraser), who valued Patience’s insights. The two had developed a bond during their time working together.
Monroe is dismissive of Patience’s input on the Starper case, despite DS Jake Hunter (Nathan Welsh) advocating for her abilities. Monroe cynically remarks that having Patience involved just means she and her partner, DC Will Akbari (Ali Alaie), could be out of work.
Though skeptical of Patience, Monroe pursues the Starper investigation. She discovers the chair connected to the murder, which was tossed in a dumpster two floors down from the scene.
Meanwhile, Patience faces life without Metcalf and seeks guidance from a neurodivergent support group to better understand Elliot’s signals, and she explores the mystery of how Starper’s blood was drained posthumously.
From the First Season: As mentioned earlier, Patience, developed by Matt Baker and inspired by the French series Astrid and Raphael, strikes a balance between The Good Doctor and Elementary.
Our Take: Patience succeeds notably due to its realistic depiction of autism, especially in comparison to other series like The Good Doctor. Patience is complex, not portrayed as a mere emotionless figure. Her organizational skills and attention to detail showcase the nuances of her character. She can be overwhelmed and shut down under stress, experiencing panic attacks. Yet, her determination remains steadfast as she navigates through challenges.
This season, however, Metcalf’s absence raises the stakes. Monroe, her replacement, appears less receptive, even referring to Patience pejoratively as “headphones” when heading to the morgue.
Jessica Hynes’ Monroe introduces a distinct dynamic, especially since she doesn’t recognize the benefit of Patience’s involvement in the murder case. Though Metcalf was tough, she allowed Patience to operate in her own style, and this approach helped illuminate potential neurodivergence in her own son. There are hints that Monroe’s history contrasts sharply with Metcalf’s, making it challenging for Patience to earn her trust throughout the season.
Nonetheless, Patience remains undaunted by Monroe’s dismissive attitudes. She considers a romantic relationship with Elliot, despite their communication hurdles, while also trying to decode the numbers from her mother’s box. Even if the weekly mysteries are straightforward, it’s the character development that truly captivates us.
Spotlight Performance: Ella Maisie Purvis, who identifies as autistic, brings authenticity to Patience’s character. She vividly portrays her, steering clear of a flat delivery—it’s refreshing and resonates with those familiar with autism.
Sex and Nudity: None.
Final Scene: Patience and Elliot leave the police station together. She gifts him a cactus and extends an invitation to the library, where conversation is off-limits.
Underrated Star: Nathan Welsh, playing DS Jake Hunter, navigates a complex role this season, acting as a bridge between Patience and Monroe. He often holds back on his true feelings regarding his new superior.
Classic Pilot Line: “I know Detective Metcalf thought highly of you, but I’m not her,” Monroe tells Patience, implying her disinterest without needing to elaborate.
Our Recommendation: Stream it. Patience remains an engaging mystery series, showcasing how Ella Maisie Purvis, through her character on the autism spectrum, utilizes her unique skills effectively.
