It's tempting to spend this entire blog discussing Duncan. And after watching the episode and taking a deep shaky breath, (because it's always a total mind-spin to see it on screen, no matter how many times you've read the script, analysed the script or even written the script) our first instincts were to do exactly that. Just to have a total word vomit about his journey and his devastating grief and the face-smashing anger he feels towards Jarvis... but you know what? There's no need. Everything you need to know about Duncan in this episode is etched in his face when he crouches next to Claire's trolley in the morgue. All that remains to be said is bravo to the Director, actors and production team for rendering this relationship wreckage so powerfully on the screen.

Since we're halfway through the series, it seems like a good time to bring up the fact that the world of City Homicide is greater than just our six main detectives. The other police characters who regularly charge in and out like Sergeant Karen Hatzic and Superintendent Terry Jarvis, and those who show up when necessary and leave an impression, like Jumbo Watson and Mack the Knife, all contribute vitally to building this bigger world, of which our main detectives are a part, but not necessarily the centre. It's a strong part of the philosophy on this show that when creating guest characters, even when they only have one or two lines, there needs to be well-defined and compelling background and history so that our classy actors can work their magic with the material and shine.

Karen Hatzic, who dispenses timely advice and information. Paul Winston, the computer tech with a bouncing puppy-dog crush on Jennifer. Jumbo Watson, a good solid detective whose loss is keenly felt even though we've only known him for two episodes. Assistant Commissioner Mulholland, who plays to the media nearly as much as he plays to the top brass. Mack the Knife, who's just a little too enthusiastic about describing the manner in which victims became deceased.

The outstanding calibre of our guest and recurring actors and the careful planning that goes into each role, creates a rich and interesting environment in which to nurture the stories. The background of a character crucially informs the costume design, set dressing and a multitude of other production concerns, as well as the nuances of the performance. It means knowing whether a character would wear their shirt buttoned up to the neck or have knick-knacks on their bedside table. And with the nature of the stories requiring guest cast in vital roles every episode, it is one area that just can't be brushed over. So it's about time we said ‘hurrah' for the guest cast who contribute so much.

'Victims of Crime' also contained a first for City Homicide. One of the 'baddies', the young woman Michelle Johnson actually gets away with it. And you could be forgiven for having mixed feelings about that. On the one hand, she appears to be taking the law into her own hands and taser-ing ne'er-do-wells left, right and centre. On the other hand, that scene when she describes her rapists and her horrific experiences in taking them to court? You can totally understand how that would destroy a person's faith in the system. Plus, we only know for sure that she was out to get Malcolm Street and Gary Kovacevic - the guys who raped her. Is she out and about dispensing revenge on behalf of other victims in Vigilance? Hmmm.... You have to wonder, don't you?

COMING UP: Hmm. What would be Simon's worst nightmare? All the girls he's ever dumped by text message turning up on his doorstep? Discovering that duffle coats are just a cruel fashion joke? Losing his ability to flirt at will? No, Simon's worst nightmare is Detective Senior Sergeant Wilton Sparkes arriving back in Homicide. Remember Sparkes, Simon? He's the senior officer whose wife you were shagging. Now he's back. Fitter. Happier. And toying with Simon like a grinning, snaggle-toothed tiger.

The Creative Team, CITY HOMICIDE