--- title: "Trigger Point: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/trigger-point/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/trigger-point" critics_score: 68 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Trigger Point (2022): what the critics said Critics' score 68 from 8 reviews: 6 positive, 1 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics lean positive on the opening episodes, and the praise clusters in two places: the bomb disposal set pieces, which several reviews find properly stressful, and Vicky McClure, whose composed, tough-but-sensitive lead is credited with holding the show together even where the writing does not. Reviews of the premiere call it tense, slick and diverting, and more than one admits it is preposterous while conceding it is good fun. The Line of Duty connection is mentioned throughout, usually as a promise the series is expected to keep. The reservations gather around the script and the ending. Early reviews already note predictability and a slow first half. The two finale reviews, from The i Paper and The Telegraph, are the coolest, finding the resolution rushed and implausible, with The Telegraph judging that the series lapses into self-parody after a strong start. The spread is wide, from warm to disappointed, and it tracks closely with when each review was written. ## Radio Times — David Craig Fi1m's normalised score 81/100 (inferred from the text). 24 January 2022. The critic praises the suspense-laden first episode and the bold decision to kill off a main character early, noting it fundamentally changes the series dynamic. It delivers on expectations from a Jed Mercurio-produced show. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/trigger-point-episode-1-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 76/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2022. The critic finds the series utterly preposterous but great fun as slick entertainment, likening it to CSI: Peckham or Line of Bomb Duty. They single out the escalating bomb disposal sequences and banter between leads Vicky McClure and Adrian Lester for keeping viewers engaged despite the implausibility. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/jan/23/trigger-point-review-utterly-preposterous-but-what-a-blast) ## The Times — Carol Midgley Rating ★★★☆☆. 23 January 2022. The opening episode review notes it was a drama of two halves, boring at first but improving, with enough to keep watching thanks to Vicky McClure. The critic singles out McClure's central performance and the show's position as from the makers of Line of Duty as reasons it might hold attention despite predictability. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/trigger-point-review-vicky-mcclure-fmj293gvd) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2022. The first-episode review finds it a stress-inducing bomb squad thriller with evisceratingly tense moments and forensic bomb disposal sequences. The critic singles out the gripping, high-stakes set pieces and strong lead performance by Vicky McClure as raw material for a solid hit, while noting a need for more intrigue beyond the opener. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/trigger-point-review-itv-vicky-mcclure-jed-mercurio-adrian-lester-b977381.html) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2022. The review describes the series as derivative narrative junk food that is tasty and watchable while it lasts, thanks to tense bomb disposal scenes. The critic singles out Vicky McClure's strong screen presence in a tough-yet-sensitive professional role and the gripping jeopardy of the set pieces. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/trigger-point-vicky-mcclure-itv-b1997917.html) ## The i Paper — Rachael Sigee Fi1m's normalised score 62/100 (inferred from the text). 27 February 2022. The critic finds the finale stressful yet silly, with an implausible resolution to the clues and rushed mechanics around the villain's plot. McClure's performance elevates the clunky script and tense action set-pieces. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/trigger-point-finale-review-itv-ending-explained-1485050) ## The Telegraph — Michael Hogan Rating 2/5. 27 February 2022. The finale review calls the series disappointing overall, with an over-written and under-explained script that lapsed into self-parody after a strong start. The critic singles out the rushed resolution and plot holes in the finale, noting it fizzled rather than delivering on early promise. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/trigger-point-finale-review-knew-defusing-bombs-could-boring/) ## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2022. The critic finds the premiere an enjoyably tense and diverting thriller with strong performances, particularly Vicky McClure as the composed lead, and effective set pieces involving bomb disposal procedures. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/trigger-point-episode-1-review-bomb-disposal-thriller-is-no-damp-squib/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/trigger-point.md