A young refugee comes to Department 7’s attention – but is Anne Reynolds really focused on the right things?

Louise Jameson’s second script for The Omega Factor once again shines a spotlight on her own character, but not necessarily in the nicest of ways – as writer, Jameson is very careful to ensure that the listener is aware of factors going on outside both Reynolds’ and Adam Dean’s knowledge so we get a much better sense of the bigger picture than any of the players involved. There are strong character moments for all of the core cast – including Anne’s boss, Doyle – with Jameson providing John Dorney with some of his best material so far this set, as well as an epic argument between Reynolds and Dean that I hope has ramifications down the line. Orion Ben gives a strong performance as Adhara, and there’s again much more involvement for Natasha Gerson’s Morag.

The episode feeds into the long game that Omega is playing – it all feels a little Rosemary’s Baby at the moment, but I am sure that all involved are aware of the pitfalls of such a storyline. The title may give rather more away than you’d expect and Jameson doesn’t hold back in the script from aspects surrounding the conception of the child and its potential termination – it’s adult material in the best sense of the word, benefitting from sensitive direction where required by Ken Bentley and excellent sound design and music from Steve Foxon and Nicholas Briggs

Verdict: Continuing The Omega Factor’s strong run of tales. 9/10

Paul Simpson