You know what they say, you wait ages for one, then two come along at once. [In Norfolk you wait ages then realise it has been cancelled and it will be an hour till the next one!] So it is with TV detective series
Last Sunday we had a choice of two... on "U" [formerly "Drama"] the next series of The Chelsea Detective, and on BBC1, a new show "Death Valley". The former with Adrian Scarborough, the latter with Timothy Spall. I like both these actors, and their stuff is usually very good.AS has a great team - including the wonderful deaf pathologist played by the brilliant
Sophie Stone, and despite his crazy aunt Olivia[the ubiquitous Frances Barber] and not-quite-ex-wife Astrid, he solves the crimes efficiently, against the backdrop of Chelsea and the Thames. I love it.
Death Valley is a rather different kettle of fish. Spall is an actor playing a retired actor-who-played-a-detective, who is now playing detective in reality.
Work out that weirdly symmetrical description if you can! I have watched one episode and I'm still trying to decide if I like it. TS is superb, but I don't quite believe his opposite number. DS Mallowan is just a bit OTT for me.
Maybe subsequent episodes will settle into the Sunday night cosy crime formula. Im not giving up after one slightly disappointing episode!
Did you watch either? What did you think ?
You know what they say, you wait ages for one, then two come along at once. [In Norfolk you wait ages then realise it has been cancelled and it will be an hour till the next one!] So it is with TV detective series
I've just watched the latest series of the Chelsea Detective - very enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm on latest Madame Volpe - both series have appeared with no mentions so I was pleased to find them.
Haven't heard of Death Valley
Volpe is full of lovely Italian sunshine, preferable to damp Welsh valleys
DeleteCame late to the Chelsea Detective; love it. Jury out on Death Valley. Jill x
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DeleteWe gave up on Death Valley as it felt rather ‘amateur’ and was trying rather too hard despite Timothy Spall.
ReplyDeleteWe’ve yet haven’t seen The Chelsea Detective- too busy watching Time Team at present
PS I’ve managed to log in for the first time ever after many years of trying! Never been able to track down the problem so today was my lucky day.
Oh so glad you managed it at last! "Trying too hard" is a good review
DeleteI enjoy The Chelsea Detective, I've been watching it for a while. I started watching Death Valley but I was struggling, more because of what was going on around me! I shall watch it again when I can watch in peace.
ReplyDeleteI think DV needs to be watched carefully, or you'd miss clues in amongst the attempts at humour
DeleteI thought ai would watch the one with Timothy Spall but haven’t watched any TV lately due to the hot weather and being away. Thanks for your reviews. Catriona
ReplyDeleteIt's raining here (a lot) now. So I may watch a little more TV
DeleteI've never watched the Chelsea Detective. We tried the first episode of Death Valley but very soon gave up - it was amusing but I did find it too frenetic. We thought we give it another go next week when it might have settled.
ReplyDeleteA bit like was -
This seems to be the general verdict - "we will try again next week"
DeleteHaven't watched either. We do get a few BBC mysteries and detective stories on our public TV channels, but, I'm not a big fan of detective stories so rarely watch them.
ReplyDeleteYou either love them or avoid them I think.
DeleteI have watched the Timothy Spall one and agree with you about his sidekick but will give it another go as I really think TS is great. I saw the Chelsea Detective advertised but have not seen it before so I will give that a whirl, all the actors in it are first rate so I will look forward to viewing the series. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteCD beats DV IMHO. I discovered it late on, so was pleased to have lots to catch up with.
DeleteI watched Death Valley because Timothy Spall is such a good actor. Death Valley wasn't worthy of him at all. It was too superficial and I don't see there is any room for character development. I don't mind plots being a bit far-fetched but there are limits!
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be the most common response!
DeleteHaven't tried Chelsea detective yet. Will check it out though. Watched first death valley last night.... not sure, but will give it another go.
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DeleteWe recorded both so could when there isn't anything else on, but as you say lots come along all at once. We've also started watching Miss Scarlet and The Duke too which we both liked. Xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gill. We saw an ad for Miss S & the D, and wondered about it. Will give it a go
DeleteYes I watched the TS one but felt PC Plod wouldn't have alone had he been in it! It did a lot of plodding and you're right about the sidekick. Highly irritating. I'll give the CD a go soon.
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ReplyDeleteI didn't watch either, I have recorded the Timothy Spall one, but I haven't heard of The Chelsea Detective, I should look out for it I think. We have been having a real catch up of Death in Paradise over the last few months, right from the beginning and we are now on series 13 and still enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteLots to choose from right now!
ReplyDeleteI have only just started watching a few programmes on "U". I have seen one episode of the Chelsea Detective so far and am enjoying it. This channel might become a binge favourite.
ReplyDeleteIt's really good!
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