3 out of 5

Covers Season 1

Director: Various

Really convincing production and a well-cast and acted set of core characters makes Ripper Street very watchable, but – 1 season in as of this point – the show’s inability to decide if it wants to build on ongoing plotlines or settle into crime-of-the-week formula gives it an overall uneven feeling that prevents any one episode from knockin’ yer socks off.  RS’s creator drops a smart twist in the setup that guarantees our attention but allows for the show to continue without end if ratings allow – Jack the Ripper will always be culturally interesting, but there having been several movies and TV shows which center around the murders, Ripper Street focuses (seemingly) on the aftermath of the police force having to deal with regular crimes which get tied to Ripper hysteria, along with the general loss of prestige that not having caught the killer caused.  The first episode is sort of splash of ADD to get all of this across and introduce key elements, episode two an example of how best to use the format (in my opinion), settling into a police procedural feel while dropping some Ripper stuff here and there.  But the season stumbles thereafter, understandably forgetting Jack the Ripper for a while (’cause you can’t REALLY deal with it every episode) …almost to the extent that it no longer bears any weight on the show… and then a couple ‘filler’ episodes which focus on one or two characters.  First seasons really shouldn’t have filler eps.  Regardless, overall, each important element is strong, but lacking a defined direction dispels the absolute need to return to see what happens next.