trial trial elizabeth episode second series british dark comedy anthology television programme inside written directed aired april bbc story follows 17th century witch trial played stands accused inhabitants village including characters played magistrate sir played summoned famed witch warren clarke played try elizabeth concerned bringing people village finding truth episode intended parody period dramas instead reflect real witch trials end characters events episode seriously leads humour writers influences included films names witch tribute actor critics responded positively episode praising humour especially use archaic language writing performances considered trial elizabeth lower quality previous episodes production second series inside written filmed end early writing process trial elizabeth began suggestion witch trial plot idea writers worked details setting episode filmed story order location barn location previously doctor horrible histories addition concurrent filming trial elizabeth sketch starring previous inside guest star filmed nearby shot december trial elizabeth episode second series filmed barn extremely cold filming joked unlike digitally adding breath production process trial elizabeth written mimic genuine witch trials read writing process characters instance seen authentic trials writing challenge concerned need new information revealed trial witnesses shaped structure script given trials absurd parodied humour episode comes precisely fact characters events seriously said pair aimed authenticity seek produce spoof period piece end complimentary costume designer writers worked number years fantastic job creating period given view people don period excited film set 17th century episode period piece series writers expressed willingness felt setting showed programme episode inside features new characters writers able attract actors unwilling commit entire series trial elizabeth starred warren clarke respectively sir warner previously worked writers thought suited role sir considered capable actress complimented way played character felt added role starred particularly pleased appearing episode appeared added weight royalty comic characters originally mistakenly named fit characters relationship titular elizabeth couple renamed reference real world witch trials addition credited actors crew crowd extras day filming extras budget constraints allowed number day extras days led change script seeing crowd removed trial uncredited played actress appeared previous productions writers complimentary cooper performance said conducting crowd extras noisy shouting quiet stopped addition use visual effects closing sequence required sound rain original filming visual effects director idea writers pleased budget serve tie final shot opening shot episode feature raven scenes cut editing process included initial meeting warren clarke sir private discussion warren clarke day trial extended versions scenes featured explanation devil found everyday objects discussion stages torture respectively expressed frustration extra scenes included dvd release plot 17th century england magistrate sir warner summons witch warren clarke village accused pike excited news attracted attention outsiders pike warren convinced guilt clarke remains elizabeth case brought trial following morning assistance elizabeth daughter sarah son law testify witnessed creature speaking mouse believed demon elizabeth claims sarah thomas falsely accused want rid room house cooper elizabeth accused questioned courtroom begin laughing responses warren declares person laugh executed witch argument breaks witch pike decide rest trial conducted private elizabeth needle test devil mark sarah tries mother innocence warren believe elizabeth confesses shoes wears fur coat shoes denies trial proceedings warren clarke cautious pike fascinated acts elizabeth supposedly engaged witch clarke privately tells warren thinks elizabeth innocent sure pair god work warren threatens clarke tried convicted objects trial resumes elizabeth having tortured overnight elizabeth mouse released lead witch warren elizabeth approaches elizabeth pike declares witch sentences burned thomas sarah later goodbye bound elizabeth execution clarke dismisses removes hood figure reveal bound warren elizabeth place clarke believes warren evil longer god work clarke puts hood pike enters happy trial seen revival trade visitors village warren taken away burnt clarke releases real elizabeth reveals truly witch breaks clarke neck killing sounds excitement outside flames light elizabeth face tells master transforms raven leaves analysis trial elizabeth period piece tribute general blood names warren clarke homage british actor time production airing recently died names selected prior clarke death specifically amusing period appropriate actor link episode themes writers chose tribute death clarke previously worked style humour reminiscent instance scene directly inspired laughing guard scene life brian consider episode particularly reminiscent humour jokes adult critic said episode straight comedic episode second series said episode humour balanced tragedy arguing episode element horror especially true given story reflects actual depiction torture described genuinely despite sole setting barn episode evokes degree folk horror trial elizabeth described guardian den geek like film added humour writers said episode appeal horror comedy fans given revealed actually witch asked character thomas truly witnessed engaging kind supernatural activity suggested thomas motivated greed begins regret choice witnesses tortured noted real life accusations based level belief reception critics generally responded warmly episode felt compared poorly series writing times felt trial elizabeth previous episode equally accomplished sister publication sunday_times critics suggested change style showed writers versatility writing independent called trial elizabeth dark little half hour british comedy writing daily_telegraph critical awarded trial elizabeth stars saying despite cast delightful twist counter twist episode like effective days previous episodes series episode claimed indicative mid series freelance journalist felt episode entertaining fare predictable prove genuinely memorable awarding stars said episode felt like mid series unhappy thought episode favourite episode second series felt going difficult follow days view episodes competition episode humour praised majority commentators writing guardian said writers managed pull loving tribute cult horror source material gag rate fail claiming look tone right kind comedy perfectly tailored fictional world similarly felt jokes including references dark bang contrast claimed episode inspired moments including perfectly pitched joke writers failed properly exploit 17th century setting overall finding occasionally funny thought episode fell way short come expect comedy critic episode funny played pretty straight noted character sir allowed humour called episode funny called funniest half hours far year conclusion series television critics praised writing acting trial elizabeth owen felt ending held little surprise said loved fact week running couldn work twist best saved till episode tightly written radio_times said dark tale soon works spell writing entertainment website popmatters particularly praised episode beautifully dialogue saying feels authentic bizarre hilarious court scenes owen similarly said dialogue frequently hilarious having fine ear rhythms english best characters way ridiculous sentences praised warner performance sir claimed brought unsettling complexity title character independent claimed warner clearly having ball pike wright guardian said warner brilliantly makes line given considered warner best guest stars series cited sources steve trial episode commentary retrieved august
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