MovieChat Forums > Prime Suspect 3 (1994) Discussion > *******Major Spoiler Alert*******Questio...

Major Spoiler AlertQuestio n : Is...

posted 20 years ago by miss_read2000
11 replies | jump to latest

...Parker-Jones actually arrested, in the end? It was not quite clear - I got the impression that he was let go, on grounds of insufficient evidence.

The episode was one of the most poignant detective/police files I have seen. Especially the scene where Otley, etc go to speak to the street kids and we see a bunch of kids with a dog - just like small kids are supposed to be. Only these kids were not carefree and happy. It bought tears to my eyes. I will never forget this scene and the one where one of the kids (Fletcher) is brought in, for questioning and he is asked all these questions that young kids are not even supposed to know, exist.

[–] magnoliaspringsal 19 years ago

Yes, Parker-Jones was let go due to insufficient evidence. That's why DCI Tennison had the files delivered to the interview room, then left them there for the reporter, Miss Smithy.

I guess that was the only way justice could be served.

[–] cheerfullmess 18 years ago

I thought he was let go because he knew one of the uppper people in the force or something like that I thought the chief not teeninsons but the one before that hid evidence along with the doctor I could be wrong but I will go back and watch it again

[–] grendelkhan 18 years ago

Tennison doesn't have enough evidence to charge him and can't get him to crack; so, he is released. She sets up Smithey to find the photos and documents and prods her to the story, ensuring that Parker Jones will be exposed.

[–] fanaticita 17 years ago

Thank you for this.. . . I just finished watching the end of episode 3, and was thoroughly confused. It seemed as though nothing was resolved, but now I see that there would hopefully be a resolution. I just discovered this series for the first time, and am amazed by the entire production -the scripts, the actors, the unusual filming, etc. I hope I can find the additional episodes!

[–] stuartfanning 17 years ago

Yes if Tennyson hadn't let the journalist expose him, there would have been nothing to stop him continuing to work with vulnerable children.

[–] davegering 17 years ago

The ending was nonsense. While there may have been insufficient evidence to convict him of murder, they could have tried him and made all the evidence public. Even if he got off, everyone would know he did it (do the letters OJ come to mind?)

More to the point, there was plenty of evidence to charge him and convict him for obstruction of justice and his assaults on the children.

I liked the episode right up to the end, but couldn't buy the final scene.

[–] kenburke0627 17 years ago

Regretfully, sometimes good does not always triumph.

The scandal itself, though, would be enough to torpedo his career.

Regardless, the vicious Jimmy Jackson was locked up (talk about bad guys. He was a sicko!).

[–] bluestocking-7 15 years ago

In real life, Parker Jones would have been put to trial.

With regards to the "trial by media" justice that Tennyson opened up to the journalist, I wonder if that's possible in real life because of the stringent libel laws in the UK. Gossip monger Kitty Kelley couldn't release The Royals (1997) there.

If a newspaper printed that Parker Jones is a molester of boys, the publishers' proof had to stand up in court. Parker Jones doesn't have to prove that he is not a molester in court but the publishers have to prove that he is.

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[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] fanaticita 13 years ago

I guess we will never know. . .but, the Parker Jones' career would probably be doomed especially his career with children. He would never work with kids again, and eventually I'm sure he would be fully exposed. Excuse the pun.

[–] Franny25 13 years ago

Any law suit by Parker Jones against the paper would have probably failed. You can either prove it's true or that you had reason to rely on your information. The paper could have revealed the info came from police files and that they had reason to rely on that info. Or the paper could refuse to reveal its source and just eat the costs of the lawsuit - how much money do you think Parker-Jones would have received from a jury anyway? Maybe $1.00.

Now whether there are ramifications for looking at a police file for the reporter or for Tennyson is another matter. I think they were relying on their expectation that Parker-Jones wouldn't sue. Or if he did sue it didn't matter since his rep would be ruined regardless.

Really great episode. Haunting and excellent acting.

*******Major Spoiler Alert*******Questio n : Is...

Major Spoiler AlertQuestio n : Is...