What happens when an unquestionably loyal soldier discovers something about them selves that conflicts with their duties? What happens when that discovery simply can not be fought? What happens when a witch hunt discovers a witch? That’s the irony and inherent conundrum behind “The Investigator,” a taut examination of homophobia and prejudice in the military, and eventually aspects of our lives that can often be denied, as well as aspects of our lives that we can convince ourselves do not exist. Hearkening back to the tale of Moses, “The Investigator” is the story of Caroline Meagher, a devoted soldier who is assigned to track down and kick out Lesbians from the armed forced. And then she discovers that she is one.

Helen Baxendale gives a great performance as this commander who helps fuel this ridiculous witch hunt that is often meant to feed the perversions of the male officers that interview these women. The often demeaning and humiliating interviews are chronicled as are Caroline’s affairs with women we discover wasn’t just an isolated incident with a fellow soldier. We’re constantly at odds with the character of Caroline, unaware of she’s denying her sexuality, or denying her sexuality because it interferes with her duties as a soldier. Either way, we know it will not end well for the woman, and the tense plotting, along with Baxendale’s performance make this incredibly relevant ten years later; and I suspect just as relevant twenty years from now.

"The Investigator" is an engrossing mini-series with a series of very good performances, but Baxendale really delivers a stand out as the character of Caroline, a symbol for the figure in the military forced to choose duty over happiness, when they conflict with one another.

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