okay last one for the night but I Love Inspector Boxer. I love what they did with his character. from the very moment he shows up, after everything from season one and everything we know about the ruling class, you expect him to be a certain way, you even think maybe he'll be Gaines 2.0. but he's so, good. at the crux of his character is this goodness, and I think that's so much more of an interesting choice and makes him so fascinating, and complex than if he was just another selfish, corrupt man
I could go on for ages, and I probably will, but specifically everything he does in episode 2x07 (Salt Peter), is just So Good. I'm so in love. so without further ado, below the cut, my love for Henry Boxer as shown through everything in 2x07
there's a cholera outbreak in the poor neighborhood, incredibly deadly and terrifying, and he goes out of his way to get shut in with them. "someone needs to stay with them to ensure there isn't a riot". we KNOW his wife died in a riot. in fact, that would push a lesser character to ensure they were alone during quarantine, to want to punish these people for the way his wife died. but he doesn't do that. that's not him. he still goes out of his way, and truly puts himself right there with him.
"people need to know the law will protect them". because that's what it is for him. time and time again we see him care truly about law, and justice, and what's right for the people.
and when Jack, Jack who grew up on the streets of London doing all sorts of crime to survive. Jack, who was sentenced to 15 years in jail as a child, who escaped and became a damn good surgeon but still has the Law after his every mood. When Jack says, "You and I clearly have a different experience with the law.", Henry AGREES. It would be so easy for him to take offense, push back on Jack as a criminal or fall to his noble profession. but he doesn't. "Yes, I suspect we have." he replies, and he does it so genuinely. there's no malice or judgment there. just recognition.
he records everyone who dies in Devil's Elbow. 'to make sure everyone is accounted for'. not to track the illness. it would be easy for him to say 'as part of my investigation', but that's not what it is to him. they live in a different world from him, but they're people, and he's the law, and he's there to help.
and then he apologizes. he has spent his time investigating a string of murders that he thinks Jack has committed. we know Jack. we know he didn't. but from the very moment the Inspector stepped foot on Australian soil, he's been faced with Jack as a Criminal, and with the Governor and his Wife (reputable people, who are otherwise seen to know what they are talking about) telling him about Jack's crimes. he has no reason to think otherwise. the clues do seem to point to Jack, or someone like him. but the moment he realizes that's not a possibility, that it can't be Jack, he changes course. he doesn't arrest him anyways, even though Lady Jane demands it, he refuses.
but back to the apology, he owns up to his mistake, in front of Belle. he's not afraid to say he's wrong. he apologizes, something Jack has probably gotten from very few people if anyone ever. and then he offers his hand, and asks Jack to shake. he gives Jack the choice, the choice to walk away, to accept. he lets him decide.
he cares about Belle. he could love Belle. it's the easy choice for both of them. but he sees that she loves Jack. and he's so respectful about it. he doesn't tear Jack down or prop himself up as the obvious, easy choice. as soon as he realizes, he backs off on his affection, and he makes sure that she knows why. again, respectfully.
"I am still in love with a ghost". his wife has been gone for seven years and he still carries the one and only handkerchief she made him. he talks about her so reverently. even when we've seen him express concern for Belle, knowing there's a killer on the loose, knowing she's out in a situation similar to the one that killed his wife. he never blames either woman, nor the poor population around them
when Belle admits she's in love with Jack, he lets her. he doesn't argue. he doesn't say anything. it's not his moment. he lets her have it.
"she would have liked you" we just know how much it means to him to tell Belle this
"if there was anyone else in my life I could have loved but her" he's so kind about it, he makes sure that she knows how he felt but he never pushes, he never forces, once she makes it clear he stays kind to her and Jack, there's no punishment for his 'loss'. he never views it as a competition
when they find Elsbeth, he lets Belle approach, and then it's immediate that Jack enters the house. Henry stays there, respectfully. he doesn't try to assert himself as an authority or startle Elsbeth. he defers to Belle and Jack and their authority as doctors, as people who can connect to Elsbeth better than he can. but you can see that he knows what happened, and he doesn't know these people, but he's hurting too
and then when she shares about the water, this is his time. this is what he does. he investigates. and he helps people. while Belle and Jack finish with Elsbeth, he immediately goes off to see what he can find out
but again, with Mr. Cob, he's gentle. he's not rushed, he doesn't flaunt his authority or demand Cob's time. he just asks his questions. he's polite, and curious
and then it's about more than the outbreak. it's about the murders. and you can see on his face that he just Knows. but still. there's no outburst. there's no suspicion or judgment about the elbow or these people's lives. he's polite even when he's quick
then he goes to prof's brother's house. and again, we see that he's polite, he's gentle. he checks in on his pain, his well being, confirms his suspicions and asks about the outbreak
but then when all of the pieces fall into place, he has his realization out loud, softly. he doesn't alarm him. he doesn't accuse his brother, or clue him in. to do so would be cruel and brash. neither are things we associate with henry.
no, he just lets himself out, to go do what needs to be done
because as always, it's about caring for the people
because henry boxer is Good and he is Kind
oh Henry Boxer, you sweet incredible man. this episode did me in. I cannot say enough about it. the entire episode, the entire season. henry is a character study in how good can be interesting, and how you can be good and just and also dashing as hell!!!!! henry boxer if I get my hands on you!!! I just want to love you!!!
The way that Boxer notes how Belle has used Jack’s Christian name? The way that confirms to him the depth of their familiarity and affection and that he has no chance?
