Revenge and Redemption

Introduction

The Rising (2022) is a thrilling supernatural crime drama that quickly captured the attention of audiences with its unique premise and emotional depth. Directed by David Farr, this British series is a bold exploration of loss, vengeance, and justice. With its intriguing characters and gripping storyline, The Rising is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas that delve into the psychological and emotional effects of crime and personal turmoil.

In this review, we will take an in-depth look at the plot, characters, performances, and themes of The Rising (2022), as well as how it blends elements of mystery and the supernatural to deliver a compelling narrative.

The Plot: A Supernatural Crime Drama with a Twist

The Rising begins with the tragic death of Neve Kelly (played by Clara Rugaard), a young woman who is murdered under mysterious circumstances. Neve wakes up in a strange place, confused and disoriented, only to discover that she is ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. The series follows Neve as she navigates the afterlife, trying to uncover the truth behind her murder while struggling with the knowledge of her own death.

As Neve uncovers more about the events leading up to her death, she realizes that the key to solving the mystery lies in the people she left behind—those who might have been involved in her murder. Her investigation into her own death brings her face to face with friends, family, and a web of deceit, all while she contemplates her place in the world and her ability to seek justice from the afterlife.

The mix of the supernatural and crime drama makes for a captivating storyline. Neve’s attempts to find closure and justice, even after death, add layers of tension and intrigue to the plot. As the series progresses, the stakes get higher, and the twists become even more unexpected, keeping viewers hooked from episode to episode.

Characters: Complex and Engaging Performances

At the heart of The Rising is Neve Kelly, a character who is both relatable and compelling. Neve’s journey is one of self-discovery and redemption, and Clara Rugaard brings emotional depth and vulnerability to the role. Her portrayal of a young woman seeking justice after death is both poignant and engaging, making her a character that viewers will root for.

Other notable performances include Nikki Amuka-Bird, who plays Detective Inspector Rachel Carey, an investigator caught up in Neve’s case. Her character serves as a foil to Neve, offering a grounded and rational approach to the investigation, in contrast to Neve’s emotional journey through the supernatural.

The supporting characters, including Neve’s family and friends, are well-written and provide layers of complexity to the narrative. Rachael Stirling as Neve’s mother, Claire, delivers a heartfelt performance, capturing the anguish of a parent dealing with the death of a child, while also becoming entangled in the mystery surrounding her daughter’s life and death.

Themes: Revenge, Justice, and Redemption

At its core, The Rising is a story about revenge, justice, and redemption. Neve’s quest for answers after her death highlights the human desire for closure and justice, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. The supernatural elements of the show give Neve the unique ability to interact with the living world, which allows her to seek justice in ways that would not be possible in a traditional crime drama.

The theme of revenge is explored through Neve’s interactions with the people she once trusted. As she uncovers more about her death, she must come to terms with the reality that those closest to her may have played a role in her murder. This emotional complexity adds weight to her investigation and raises the stakes of the show.

On a deeper level, The Rising also delves into the concept of redemption, not just for Neve, but for the people around her. The idea of coming to terms with past mistakes and seeking atonement is a key theme that resonates throughout the series.

Direction and Cinematography: Creating an Atmospheric Thriller

The direction of The Rising is one of its strongest aspects, with David Farr expertly blending crime drama with supernatural elements. The show creates an atmosphere of suspense and tension from the very first episode, and the pacing keeps the audience engaged as the mystery unfolds. Each episode is carefully crafted, with plenty of twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

The cinematography is also noteworthy, with striking visuals that enhance the eerie and suspenseful tone of the series. The contrast between the living world and the afterlife is depicted beautifully, with the afterlife often presented in a surreal, dreamlike manner. This visual storytelling adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative and reinforces the supernatural aspects of the story.

Comparison to Other Supernatural Crime Dramas

While The Rising shares similarities with other supernatural crime dramas, it sets itself apart through its unique premise and emotional depth. Unlike many other series in the genre, The Rising focuses on the personal journey of the protagonist and her quest for justice, rather than just solving a crime. The combination of the supernatural with crime procedural elements allows the show to explore complex themes in a fresh and engaging way.

The series also places a strong emphasis on character development, particularly with Neve’s journey toward redemption. This focus on personal growth adds an emotional layer to the mystery, making it more than just a standard crime drama.

Final Verdict: A Thrilling Supernatural Crime Drama

The Rising (2022) is a standout supernatural crime drama that delivers a gripping story, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. With its unique premise, emotional depth, and expertly crafted direction, it offers a fresh take on the genre and is sure to keep viewers hooked until the very end.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

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November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.