A series of murders are taking place, with the only evidence left behind consisting of cryptic clues in envelopes that feature the symbol on John's chest. When the killer takes a specific interest in him, John is the only person who can stop the killings.

This would be a lot better were it not spoilt by two major elements. The basic idea is excellent: another serial killer yes, but an intelligent one who seems to be more than a match for John. John has won over the police, who now seem to trust him and want to use him as an integral part of their investigations. The point where he becomes a suspect for two seconds when his 'mark' is revealed is a little pointless and ineffective, as is a strangely out of place 'bonding' with Jamie in a church near one of the crime scenes.

The crimes themselves are well done, but the first time a victim is rescued is the point where things go a little wrong. You see, the victim is Doug Hutchison who many will remember all too well as Tooms from The X-Files, plus various other villain roles from Millennium to The Green Mile. This is a problem, as he's become so synonymous with evil guys that I immediately suspected him of tying himself up to divert suspicion from his actions. It doesn't help that he's the sole guest star, therefore sticking out like even more of a sore thumb, and that he provides unbelievably lucky assistance on the next investigation. It's easy to see how he could be the killer, and indeed he is, which ruins a big part of the story.

The puzzle aspect of the story is good, and reminiscent of Die Hard With a Vengeance's Simon Says game. The set-up is fine up to a point, but it does seem over-reliant on desperate plot devices, with characters passing by and saying the most unlikely things that just happen to be accurate. 'Hey, maybe he's at the only Chinese bar where the menu is misspelt. It's really famous,' offers Digger, who for no apparent reason has popped by the police station. 'Wow, maybe the entire city is a chessboard,' considers John, managing to leap from Sir Galahad to Castle as a piece, when most of us would have gone for 'knight'. Then he somehow decides the killer is reaching the end game. How does he know there aren't countless other pieces waiting to be played on this warped board? How does Stella even hope to work out what the killer is trying to do when she runs off? Answer: it's so she can be easily captured. It's all way too convenient and unlikely, and the way everything neatly slots into place simply stretches credibility one step too far.

I like the idea, I like the concept, I like the fact that 'The Mourner' may return. The fact remains, however, that the ideas are good but the execution is not. It's an enjoyable episode, and a tense one in places, but it thinks it's way cleverer than it is.

***

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