The Ice Cream Girls

Episode two
The lines between guilt and innocence blur further as ITV’s three-part psychological thriller enters its midsection. Might Serena have been more culpable than she’s letting on for the death of her abusive teacher Marcus? Or was she merely trying to protect Poppy, now in full on vengeance mode having been released from prison?

Unfortunately, the closer we edge to resolving these central mysteries, the less intriguing it becomes, especially as the adult characters are so strangely hard to care about. It’s hokey and overwrought, but the flashbacks offer considerable compensation in the form of Martin Compston, truly villainous as Marcus, whether exploding with rage or queasily exploiting his young charges. But a disappointment, nonetheless.