As the finale of Shardlake begins, Matthew Shardlake (Arthur Hughes) wakes up on the street and learns he’s been robbed. A bystander finds it odd that the man who attacked Matthew stole nothing but his time. When Matthew gets back, he tells Joan (Kimberley Nixon) what it was like traveling back from the docks and seeing all the poverty and desperation. He also saw purpose within the people. Matthew believes their reformations will only aid this purpose. He thinks they’ll see a better England this time next year. Joan isn’t sure about that. She tells Matthew that desperation is the reason he was beaten. Matthew thinks about Mark Smeaton (Louis Goodwin). He takes the sword to see Oldknoll the Tower Armorer.

Matthew tells Oldknoll (Miltos Yerolemou) he wants to discover the origins of the sword. Oldknoll says the castle stamp indicates that the maker was trained in Toledo, Spain. Many foreigners go learn weaponry in Toledo, but that hasn’t happened since the religious changes. They’re no longer welcome. Oldknoll explains the castle is the fortress at Alcazar. The maker has taken it as his marker and the sword also includes his initials, JS. Oldknoll believes it was John Smeaton who has been dead for a year or more. John was the father of Anne Boleyn’s lover, Mark Smeaton. John had a seizure two days after his son’s execution. Oldknoll confirms the sword is of value. It would’ve been passed down and inherited. Matthew visits Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean) and learns he’s with the Duke of Norfolk (Peter Firth).

He is told that wealth will become available as the monasteries close. Eventually, Matthew gets to see Cromwell. He tells him about the assertions which were made by a Carthusian monk. Matthew says he’s a cousin to Queen Jane and possibly an ally of the Duke of Norfolk. Cromwell is more concerned about Scarnsea and the unsolved murder. Matthew tells him about the other murders although he thinks they’re unrelated to Singleton. A monk was also killed with a bolt on the day of his departure. Cromwell complains he’s to meet with the King who will expect a letter of surrender. Matthew tells him what he knows about the sword. He will investigate Smeaton’s friends and family because Singleton could’ve been killed as revenge for the conviction and execution of Mark Smeaton.

Cromwell says Smeaton had no one except for an older and infirm sister. He burns the accusations and tells Matthew to ignore Smeaton. Matthew promises to have the letter of surrender in a matter of days. When asked about the accusations made by Jerome, Cromwell admits it’s nothing they haven’t heard before. Cromwell suggests Robin Singleton did choose Mark Smeaton because he was weak enough to falsely confess to bedding Anne Boleyn. Matthew claims he’s not shocked. He says that would mean Smeaton and Boleyn were innocent. Cromwell insists they were guilty. He goes on to say the truth must be what they want it to be. Norfolk is confident Matthew will succeed and they might need him. Cromwell tells him not to fail or they’ll see if they can straighten his back.

Matthew approaches Norfolk and accuses him of sending Crowe to delay him. Norfolk and Cromwell agree that Norfolk has a claim to the monastery’s wealth. Norfolk tells him to pursue the land sales before saying Matthew deserves some success and credit. Matthew asks if he thinks Anne Boleyn is innocent or guilty. Norfolk says the King believes she is guilty. Matthew says the land sales will be his priority. Norfolk would never describe Anne Boleyn as innocent. Outside, Matthew questions his duty to Cromwell. He speaks to Oldknoll and learns that Jerome or Smeaton was visited by Singleton, a relative, and a priest. Oldknoll blames Fletcher because he never asks for names. Matthew wants to find out who the relative is. He’s told it was a woman who was not with the priest.

Matthew wants to get Fletcher to describe the visitors and for the information to be sent to him at the St Donatus Monastery. Matthew makes sure his visit is off the record. Matthew has a nightmare about being stretched. Jack Barak (Anthony Boyle) tells Alice (Roby Ashbourne Serkis) that he came there to find a killer and stayed for her. This is not a game for Alice because she did not know she could feel this way. When Jack goes to the kitchen, he finds hidden stairs and realizes that’s how the killer escaped. Matthew approaches Copynger (Tadhg Murphy) to get the receipts. Copynger admits Crowe saw the receipts, but says his life was threatened. Matthew knows it’s difficult to serve people like Norfolk and Cromwell. Bugge (Mike Noble) watches as Matthew arrives at St Donatus.

Matthew tells him to inform him as soon as the letter arrives. He also wants to know what happened to Dr. Goodhap. Matthew goes inside where he watches Jack and Alice together. In private, Matthew asks Jack’s intentions are to bed Alice and leave her with his bastard. Jack insists he intends to marry her. Matthew is fairly confident about who killed Orphan Stonegarden and Simon. He’s waiting for a letter that will give him the name of the person who killed Robin Singleton. He also came across the stallion belonging to Dr. Goodhap. Matthew says the surrender of St Donatus is what’s important to them. Matthew imagines he’s speaking to Robin Singleton (Michael Rivers). He admits he’s there because of Singleton, but he cares about him the least. Robin argues he’s a bird from Peruland who merely repeats the message he’s given.

After that, Matthew approaches Abbot Fabian (Babou Ceesay), Edwig (David Pearse), and Mortimus (Brian Vernel). He says someone there killed Simon because he witnessed a murder. Matthew says they found the first victim, Orphan Stonegarden, who was murdered because she would not succumb to a monk’s advances. This brother is the reason St Donatus will be pulled to the ground. Matthew says the letter of surrender will require Fabian’s seal. He mentions that the brother needs prayers and gold. The monastery is not compliant with the sale of the land belonging to the monastery and the taxes paid upon those sales. Matthew has evidence that the land was sold in amounts more than what was declared in the monastery’s accounts. There were hundreds and hundreds of pounds hidden from the Crown.

Matthew points out that Edwig appears unwell. Edwig gets up to look at the accounts and admits he sees the error clearly. He says the mistake is that they abandoned their church and their God. They followed the liar and adulterer that is King Henry. Edwig flees. Matthew says Edwig is Fabian’s responsibility. No person is to enter or leave this place. Jack goes after Edwig. Bugge confirms the gates are locked and secured. He goes inside to give Matthew the letter. Matthew says it is the news he was hoping for before looking at Alice. Matthew confirms St Donatus is no more. When Jack returns, Matthew tells him to let the monks deal with Edwig and to bring Alice to his room. He says the sword belongs to her. Fabian puts his seal on the letter of surrender. Matthew tells him to find Edwig dead or alive. Edwig continues hiding.

Alice tells Jack about a ship that sails to France. She suggests they could go together. Jack instructs her to deny everything. Alice admits she wouldn’t change anything. Matthew arrives and says her mother’s maiden name was Smeaton. Mark was her cousin and swain. She does not deny killing Robin Singleton because Mark did not deserve his fate. Alice argues they made him confess falsely. Matthew admits it is true, but he must take her to London anyway. Jack says she’ll be executed and it cannot end that way. Alice insists she is not afraid. Jack says he will guard Alice in his room but there will be no irons. Matthew agrees before leaving. Alice tells Jack she didn’t leave because she didn’t think anyone would discover the truth. He won’t go to France, but he will make sure the door is locked and no one comes in until morning.

In the night, Edwig approaches Matthew and retrieves the sword. He puts the blade against Matthew’s chest. Edwig tells him he’s the servant of the devil. He goes on to say the girl Orphan should have never refused him. Matthew yells for Jack before a struggle begins between him and Edwig. Eventually, Matthew manages to stab Edwig and kill him. Jack arrives and Matthew complains about him not being there. Matthew checks the other room and finds that Alice has escaped. They take the hidden stairs to the kitchen. Matthew asks Jack why he didn’t go with her when they were supposed to marry. Alice waits for a rowboat. Matthew tells Jack that the dismantling begins. They wonder if they’ll find the holy relic. Jack and Matthew will remain in favor. Jack will agree to any truth Matthew decides to tell.

Matthew says Alice was lost to marshland while trying to escape. Jack thanks him. Matthew asks about Goodhap who was found dead in the stables by Bugge. Matthew knows Jack did it and he thanks him for not choosing him instead. They agree to leave this place behind. Jerome retrieves the holy relic and says Cromwell does not deserve sight of it. He insists Cromwell will never hold the hand.

Shardlake Review

The finale of Shardlake was mostly satisfying although Alice’s involvement in Singleton’s wasn’t surprising. The episode did enough to wrap up the key stories while showing that Matthew is compassionate and not fully loyal to Lord Cromwell by letting Alice go. It’s good that Jack didn’t leave considering the pair are great together and there is a possibility of another season in the future.

The series wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was a good starting point. With a stronger, more authentic cast and a faster pace, Shardlake could be a bigger hit. Still, it’s hard to be too disappointed with the first series. Matthew Shardlake and Jack Barak are very likely and even more so as a pair. The series looks great and the costumes are good as well.

The pacing is a little slow at times. The next series could be six episodes split into two stories. With a better cast, it’s easily strong enough to carry that. Arthur Hughes as Matthew Shardlake is really a fantastic fit and a strong performance was the icing on the cake.

The series ended with Matthew Shardlake finding out the truth about Cromwell, Smeaton, and Anne Boleyn. He returns to Scarnsea with the suspicion that Alice killed Singleton. He will be proven correct when a letter confirms she’s the one who visited Mark Smeaton at the tower.

He also had proof that Edwig had been stealing money from the King through the land deals. Edwig attempted to kill Matthew but was killed in the process. As for the holy relic, Jerome had it and has no intention of letting Cromwell get it. The episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Recaps of Shardlake are available on Reel Mockery here.

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