*Warning this contains spoilers for Vigil season 2 episode 3
The verdict on Vigil season 2 is still out, with BBC fans divided on the thriller starring Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie.
Strike and Lovesick writer Tom Edge’s drama, which shattered records for the broadcaster when it initially aired two years ago, returned to our screens on Sunday.
DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) is not stuck on a submarine this time, but rather at a Royal Air Force installation in the fictional Middle Eastern country Wudyan.
After a training drone exercise in Scotland goes catastrophically wrong and intelligence pinpoints the culprit as Wudyan, she finds herself in the facility, overseen by squadron leader Eliza Russell (Romola Garai).
Meanwhile, her partner DI Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie) is pregnant with their first child and conducting the investigation from the UK with the help of an MI5 agent.
Following the broadcast of the third episode on BBC One on Tuesday, users on X, formerly known as Twitter, had varied opinions about the unfolding drama.
Complaining Vigil season 2 didn’t so far live up to its predecessor, Toby Wood wrote: ‘The first series of Vigil was tight, dramatic and claustrophobic. This new series is shallow, implausible, full of stereotypes and consequently rather ordinary #Vigil.’
Echoing Toby’s sentiment, Liz lamented: ‘This is so boring, going to give up now, first series was much better #Vigil.’
However, many fans were full of praise for Vigil’s return, with UKTV Forever calling it ‘one of the best dramas ever.’
Agreeing, Anthony Shannon added: ‘Vigil is a classy throwback to the tension filled mysteries of old. The wildly talented Suranne Jones is once again on top form & the truly gripping drama is so f***in awesome. Line of Duty meets 24 with more than a hint of Zero Dark Thirty. Can’t wait for more…. #Vigil.
Andi, meanwhile, remarked: ‘I actually think this is better than series 1. Terrifying. #Vigil.’
https://twitter.com/UKTVForever/status/1734692072286789862
Vigil is a classy throwback to the tension filled mysteries of old. The wildly talented Suranne Jones is once again on top form & the truly gripping drama is so f***in awesome. Line of Duty meets 24 with more than a hint of Zero Dark Thirty. Can't wait for more…. #Vigil
— Anthony Shannon (@AnthonyShannon2) December 12, 2023
I actually think.this is better than series 1. Terrifying. #vigil
— Andi5008 (@Andi000211) December 12, 2023
I can't help feeling that this should be more exciting than it is. Too many wooden characters who just snarl at each other. #Vigil
— Nice Glee (@ToweringMall) December 12, 2023
This is ticking all the boxes #Vigil
— Havelock🌴🌻🍺👨🍳🎬🍷🔪🏎🪴 (@ihnewman) December 12, 2023
The first series of Vigil was tight, dramatic and claustrophobic. This new series is shallow, implausible, full of stereotypes and consequently rather ordinary #Vigil
— Toby Wood (@TobyWoody) December 12, 2023
This is so boring, going to give up now, first series was much better #Vigil
— liz (@lliss19) December 12, 2023
The first season of Vigil follows Silva, who boards the Trident nuclear submarine HMS Vigil after a crew member’s death is ruled an accident, although there are suspicions of foul play.
It became the BBC’s most-watched new drama launch since Bodyguard in 2018, earning over 13 million views after it premiered in 2021.
It also received an International Emmy Award for Best Drama and a Bafta nomination for Best Drama Series.
Vigil is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.