History Recap / InspectorLynleyS02E01PlayingForTheAshes

* TheObstructiveLoveInterest: Helen takes Lynley's difference of professional opinion as a slight to her competence. [[GrumpyBear Her reaction is predictable]]. Once again, one has to ask, WhatDoesHeSeeInHer

* [[JerkassHasAPoint Extremist Has A Point: Not saying it justifies murder, but [[spoiler: Gabriella's influence on Waring had not only broken up his marriage and his relationship with his son, but she'd corrupted him into taking bribes for match fixing so he could keep her in style. She really was ruining his life, and even posthumously wrecking his reputation as a sportsman.]]

* ExremistHasAPoint: Not saying it justifies murder, but [[spoiler: Gabriella's influence on Waring had not only broken up his marriage and his relationship with his son, but she'd corrupted him into taking bribes for match fixing so he could keep her in style. She really was ruining his life, and even posthumously wrecking his reputation as a sportsman.]]

* PromotionToParent: Miriam Whitelaw became one to Kenneth Waring, and by extension to grandparent to Jimmy.

** When she isn't acting as a part-time prostitute, Olivia Whitelaw goes around raiding the dog farms which supply test dogs for the scientific research that her mother promotes. She goes as far as to disrupt one of Miriam's speeches by doing a grotesque masked impersonation of her, while her companions shoot paint balls at Miriam.

* MeaningfulTitle: in the cricketing world, 'playing for the Ashes' refers to participating in the matches for the ongoing British versus Australia trophy nicknamed [[ItMakesSenseInContext 'the Ashes']]. In story, the victim was a cricketer killed by fire, resulting in ashes.

* PromotionToParent: Miriam Whitelaw became one to Kenneth Waring.

* BrokenBird: Olivia Whitelaw. It's revealed that the CynicismCatalyst for her was that [[spoiler: her mother convinced her to terminate a pregnancy at age 20]]. It went FromBadToWorse, since she later found out she was [[spoiler: terminally ill with Motor Neuron Disease]].

Famous cricketer Kenneth Waring dies of asphyxiation when the cottage he was staying in is lit ablaze. His lover and agent, Gabriella Patten, disappears the next day. Among those devastated by Waring's death are Jeannie, his estranged wife, and Miriam Whitelaw, his wealthy patroness. Also shaken by the news is Miriam's rebellious daughter, Olivia, who works as an animal rights activist and part-time prostitute, and lives in the company of serial arsonist Chris Faraday.

* TheAshes: Heh, well, what else do you expect [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin given the episode title?]]

[[caption-width-right:214: When it's cricket, it's personal.]]

* TheObstructiveLoveInterest: Helen takes Lynley's difference of professional opinion as a slight to her competence. [[EntitledBastard Her]] [[GrumpyBear reaction is predictable]]. Once again, one has to ask, WhatDoesHeSeeInHer

[[caption-width-right:214: When the [[PastimesProvePersonality gentleman's game]] is involved, this [[BlueBlood gentleman]] cannot help but intervene.]]

* BrokenBird: Olivia Whitelaw. It's revealed that the CynicismCatalyst event for her was that [[spoiler: her mother convinced her to terminate a pregnancy at age 20]]. It went FromBadToWorse, since she later found out she was [[spoiler: terminally ill with Motor Neuron Disease]].

* AntagonisticOffspring: Several.

** When she isn't acting as a part-time prostitute, Olivia Whitelaw goes around raiding the dog farms which supply test dogs for the scientific research that her mother promotes. She goes as far as to disrupt one of her mother's speeches by doing a grotesque masked impersonation of her, while her companions shoot paint balls at Miriam.

* ScrewTheRulesIHaveConnections: Played for laughs. Lynley uses his connections to get the case assigned to him because he is a cricket fanatic. Barbara wastes no time mocking him for it -- in good fun, of course.

* PromotionToParent: Miriam Whitelaw became one to Kenneth Waring.

* HeroesLoveDogs: Anytime a dog appears onscreen, Lynley immediately gets down on its level and pets it. This is exactly as adorable as you think it is.

[[caption-width-right:214: When the gentleman's game is involved, ''this'' [[BlueBlood gentleman]] cannot help but intervene.]]

The case seems at a close when Kenneth's 16-year-old son, Jimmy Waring, confesses to his father's murder. Lynley, however, doesn't buy into this. He is convinced that Jimmy is only confessing to protect someone. But by refusing to arrest Jimmy, Lynley is going against the professional opinion of his profiler Helen Clyde, who isn't taking it very well. Lynley and Havers attempt to make sense of the situation, as Havers settles into her new home and neighbourhood.

[[caption-width-right:214:some caption text]]

Famous cricketer Kenneth Waring dies of asphyxiation when the cottage he was staying in is lit ablaze. His lover and agent, Gabriella Patten, disappears the next day. Among those devastated by Waring's death are Jeannie, his estranged wife, and Miriam Whitelaw, his wealthy patroness. Also shaken by the news is Miriam's rebellious daughter, Olivia, who works as an animal rights activist and part-time prostitute, and lives in the company of serial arsonist Chris Faraday. The case seems at a close when Kenneth's 16-year-old son, Jimmy Waring, confesses to his father's murder. Lynley, however, doesn't buy into this. He is convinced that Jimmy is only confessing to protect someone. But by refusing to arrest Jimmy, Lynley is going against the professional opinion of his profiler Helen Clyde, who isn't taking it very well. Lynley and Havers attempt to make sense of the situation, as Havers settles into her new home and neighbourhood.