The ITV drama "Winter" introduces viewers to Dr. Ethan Winter, a mortuary pathologist portrayed by Richard Armitage who blends forensic investigation with unconventional methods. The series, set in Bristol, follows Winter as he navigates complex murder cases while exhibiting eccentric behavior uncommon in typical crime dramas.
Dr. Winter distinguishes himself by purportedly communicating with the deceased, a trait that stretches beyond the “brilliant but unconventional” archetype common to fictional medical examiners like Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta or characters from "Endeavour" and "Midsomer Murders." Winter’s practice involves asking his cadavers questions about their deaths, sometimes influencing the direction of police inquiries.
The central plot revolves around a woman who disappeared with her children after allegedly killing her abusive husband. Authorities presume the husband’s body was disposed of in a well with assistance from her in-laws. However, the narrative presents inconsistencies, as the woman’s reason for hiding in a cave remains unclear. Further complications arise when her five-year-old accidentally kills another individual and, instead of disposing of this body in the same manner, the family leaves it in a refrigerated lorry, apparently ensuring its discovery.
Winter’s investigation hinges on subtle clues, including the observation of a persistent cough suffered by the woman’s father-in-law. Despite his flu vaccination records, Winter attributes the cough to exposure to droppings from rare American cave-dwelling bats that reportedly escaped from Bristol Zoo. This detail, among others, has drawn scrutiny for its plausibility within the story.
The series also explores Winter’s personal life with the introduction of his girlfriend Simone, a photojournalist played by Carlotta Banat. In a supernatural twist, Simone appears as a ghost, sharing a moment accompanied by a dance to the Pet Shop Boys’ “Always On My Mind.”
While the Bristol backdrop provides a familiar setting, some viewers and critics have noted several plot holes and narrative contradictions. For example, during a police interrogation led by DI Lauren Bell (Annabel Scholey), a suspect’s blood is found under a victim’s fingernails. Despite this forensic evidence, the suspect denies involvement, a discrepancy that challenges believability within the storyline.
Overall, the series attempts to blend forensic procedural elements with psychological and supernatural themes, but its approach and several unresolved inconsistencies have sparked varied reactions regarding the coherence and realism of the plot.