Laura is appointed a bodyguard to protect her as animosity grows towards the synths, while Mia and Niska go to the aid of some allies washed up on the shore.

After the literally explosive series-opener, this is a case of the difficult second episode as things calm down a little to allow the tension to build up again after the initial boom that pulled you back in. Laura (Katherine Parkinson) gets more to do this time, meeting her new synth chaperone Stanley; he’s one of the new Orange Eyes models which means he’s 100% safe (yes, me neither!)

Unfortunately, the opening is a real anti-climax, with troops having invaded the synth stronghold… to be stood down and on their way again. This week’s ending is not so high octane and will hopefully be resolved in a more satisfying way. We also get to meet Mark Bonnar’s Neil Summer, a behavioural scientist working alongside Laura, and we’re not at this stage sure where his loyalties lie, though he’s definitely got his eye on her.

Leo (Colin Morgan) is now off the ventilator, having spent the first episode strapped unconscious to a gurney, and Max is now facing challenges to his leadership. Part of that challenge is coming from Emily Berrington’s Niska, who has ditched any last remnants of moderation and is now out for the blood of the extremist humans who injured her girlfriend.

Another interesting subplot is following Good Life greengrocer Joe (Tom Goodman-Hill) who lives in synth-free Waltringham and recognises synth Karen Voss (Ruth Bradley) and her child, hiding in plain sight. Will he help them or is it his civic duty to turn them in? We’ll see how that plays out.

Verdict: Ultimately a little pedestrian after the exciting first episode, the characters nevertheless continue to be interesting and are building up their individual threads towards something significant. 6/10

Nick Joy