If you watch this first episode of Broadchurch season 3, good luck avoiding the next 7

Because The A.V. Club knows that TV shows keep going even if we’re not writing at length about them, we’re experimenting with discussion posts. For certain shows, one of our TV writers will publish some brief thoughts about the latest episode, and open the comments for readers to share theirs.

• Welcome to Broadchurch season three! So happy to be going through this again week by week with you all. Broadchurch was the very first regular series I reviewed for A.V. Club back in 2014, so I will alway have a soft spot for it, and am sad that this is the final season.
• Also, if you read my review of the whole season (spoiler: I loved it), you know that I’ve already watched the whole thing. But I know that most of you have not, so I will not reveal anything past each episode in these posts. And I beg of you in the comments, please do the same thing. Speculation is fine; spoiling is not. Please keep any future info to yourself because I really don’t want to stay up late every Wednesday night deleting comments. I have to sleep and stuff.
• I also received BBC screeners, and previously there have been some instances when I reference a scene that got cut from broadcast due to time constraints. Apologies in advance if that happens.
• So, let’s get to it: I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such a methodical, thoughtful post-rape sequence showing exactly what happens after this kind of attack. The opening scenes are awash in Broadchurch’s classic sea blue, giving way to the brutal fluorescent lights of the crisis center. All the violating mouth and body swabs must be completely devastating, highlighting the trauma. Putting all of your clothes into evidence bags. But I also love how the beginning of this season shows how unified Miller and Hardy are now as a team.
• Trish is painfully portrayed by Julie Hesmondhalgh, who’s most famous across the pond as a cast member of Coronation Street. The moment when she sees the marks on her arms and realizes that she was tied up: devastating.
• “Do you believe me?” “Yes.” “Who did this to me?”
• I know the show’s pace is slow, but I appreciate how methodical it is. How carefully Hardy surveys everything he can at Trish’s house. Hilariously followed by Miller’s “Every time! Make the tea first and then do your nosing around!”
• I’m even fascinated by Miller and Hardy’s bickering in the car. Could listen to it all day.
• Nice tie-in to have Beth as Trish’s trauma counselor.
• Likely first in a series: Shut up, Katie.
• Miller hardly ever drops, so that shot of her beaten down while wading through the crowd at Tom’s school really resonated.
• Also, Hardy as a dad to Daisy: “Well, thanks for freaking me out.” “You’re welcome.”
• So I’m already looking forward to the next seven episodes. Let the speculation commence until next week!