Bang (S4C) Episode Four review

The gun has become as precious to Sam as that ring did to Gollum. While he may not talk to it, his relationship with the firearm has grown unhealthy. Not content with an armed robbery last week, Sam and Cai plan a break in but this time the target is the business run by grumpy stepdad Ray. As if the guy wasn’t miserable enough already. Due to the interruption of a security guard the weapon is called into action for the first time but it was the fingers of Cai that pulled the trigger.

It further sets up the merging of the investigations with Sams’ predicament as brother and sister are set to collide head on. The gun is essentially acting as GPS for the police. They the know the bullet was from the same gun that shot Stevie Rose, as they also know from his random shooting into the air previously. The irony is that in his desperation to buy his house he is keeping things too close to home. First he steals and then commits armed robbery of his work place and now he is stealing from his stepdad and accidentally putting someone in hospital. The guard is alive and it could be curtains for Sam’s dream. His new home could soon be behind bars.

The actual details of the Stevie Rose murder doesn’t grow much more in the way of flesh and is the weakest thread in the series as a whole. There’s some unusual behaviour from Mrs Rose that involves waiting outside Gina’s house and an attempt at bribery. The widower grows more suspicious with each scene. Justin also hints that drugs are involved somewhere but progress will be slow considering the police are chasing a gun which is not in the hands of the killer.

It’s a superbly atmospheric forty five minutes that flies by, culminating in Cai, for reasons best known to himself, going to visit the security guard in intensive care. Again, it proves a good tracking device for the police and they chase him down and indeed out as he’s hit by a car and the grim reaper comes calling. As do the boys in blue, to Sam’s workplace. There’s no hiding in dark corners behind palettes now. 8/10

Bullet points:

• When the truth comes out, will Gina sacrifice her duty to the badge and cover for her brother?
• Can you imagine how sour Ray’s face will be one he finds out who broke into his company? Is it possible to frown any more?
• Will Sam somehow be implicated in the murder of Stevie?
• Will the money being posted through Gina’s door be classed as an acceptance of a bribe?
• Will the Port Talbot tourist board use Bang as a promotional tool for gun lovers?