The opening episodes of the ITV drama "Trigger Point" have set a feverishly dramatic tone, marked by a relentless pace that bypasses potential plot holes in favor of escalating action. The series centers on explosives officer Lana Washington, portrayed by Vicky McClure, and her squad, whose missions are depicted with immediate and intense peril.
From the initial scenes, where the team forcefully enters a location, the narrative plunges into a series of high-stakes events. Washington is shown defusing a bomb in a moving vehicle, then engaging in a pursuit via speedboat, and subsequently disarming multiple explosive devices attached to a security guard. Another critical moment involves the rescue of a police officer trapped in a car with a bomb near his face, requiring a delicate surgical procedure to remove the device.
While the rapid succession of thrilling events makes "Trigger Point" difficult to look away from, questions arise regarding the realism of some scenarios. The review notes instances such as a bomb disposal expert prematurely opening a door without checking for traps, the improbable calm of drivers during city-wide explosions, and the sensitivity of a bomb belt to a victim's shivers despite previous rough handling.
A significant plot point involves the construction of the explosives themselves, with a mention of a large quantity of RDX military-grade explosives being packaged in a manner that would yield poor shrapnel, raising further questions about the antagonists' methods.
Beyond the immediate action, the series explores the psychological toll on its bomb disposal experts. Lana's colleague, DS Helen Morgan, is depicted as a nervous individual whose actions raise suspicion with their new superior, Commander Quentin. Lana herself is undergoing therapy, with flash-forward scenes suggesting her survival, though potentially undermining the show's tension. The review humorously speculates that her therapist could even be involved with the terrorist plot.