There are fewer 'bobbies on the beat' these days. But there are still plenty of 'bobbies on the box'. I quite like Police/Crime Dramas on TV - British ones, 'Eurocrime' and shows from the USA. With the autumn setting in, and evenings growing darker, the TV schedules are adapting...Perez [Dougie Henshall] has finally flown south from Shetland [in search of a new electric razor?] and left Tosh and Sandy to run the police station.
The ending felt a bit unsatisfactory - is his mate Duncan [Mark Bonnar] still in prison?Ridley [Adrian Dunbar] has finished his blues number, shut the lid of the piano and shuffled away into the night. Is he embarking on travels with his wee donkey?
I have yet to watch Bloodlands [with James Nesbitt] - I didn't see series 1, and so won't start on series 2. It has not had good reviews.Does anyone have any comments on this one?
I did watch Crossfire during an ironing marathon. Keeley Hawes was a policewoman in Line of Duty, and plays an ex copper in this one. Her spouse is Lee Ingleby [who was George Gently's sidekick for years] This one was rubbish - I ended up not really liking any of the characters [apart from one particularly thoughtful couple, who were less self-centred than all the others] At least the ironing got done!
A new series, which began on Sunday, I found really enjoyable, and thought provoking. It is set in St Andrews- a beautiful Scottish town where I have had two lovely holidays.
And based on a book by Val McDermidd [whose crime novels are always well written] with the screen play developed by Emer Kenny [Bunty from 'Father Brown']There are two more episodes to go, and Bob and I have been discussing whodunnit and why. KP is refreshingly 'normal' - none of the inner angst which besets too many TV cops. Lauren Lyle plays the title character in a totally believable way. I have not read Val D's KP series [yet] but I understand there have been significant changes for the TV show. Not least the decades when things happen.
Did you watch any of these shows? How did you rate them?
Bob is now talking about visiting Scotland for a holiday sometime. St Andrews, rather than Shetland, I suspect.
I watched the Bloodlands series 1. It's a really nasty, violent police drama unless you like your main policeman being a villain in disguise! One I can do without.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching my way through NCIS at the mo. Haven't seen Crossfire and won't bother.
Thanks for the comment on Bloodlands - I'll give that a miss, I think. I believe we're due for some more Vera this autumn
DeleteI've not watched any of these. I really need to look at iPlayer a bit more. The only mention that I've watched is Death in Paradise.
ReplyDeleteTry Prof T. It's utter quirkiness gives it an interesting edge, I think.
DeleteI quite like Prof T but not rivetted by it. I really liked the Val McDiarmid, and looking forward to the next episode. We are fans of Shetland, and are glad it's going to carry on. We were also intrigued by the first episode of "Inside Man" - definitely going to continue with that one. I really enjoyed "The Capture" first series (although it is a tad unbelievable, it could become true!) and will probably watch the second series at some time.
ReplyDeleteHaven't caught up with Inside Man yet. And agree about Capture
DeleteThe Shetland series was excellent, as is anything written (or inspired by the writings of) Ann Cleeves, eg Vera.
ReplyDeleteAdrian Dunbar's acting was a bit wooden I think, as was his singing!
One worth catching up on is MacDonald and Dodds, slightly quirky but very entertaining. I must look out for Professor T. I can't cope with the gory stuff these days!
Yes M&D has that quirky edge to it too (and the beautiful settings in and around Bath)
DeleteSorry, haven't watched any of them and probably won't - I don't like Crime/Police dramas, mysteries, etc. Glad that you are having many shows to watch and enjoy. :)
ReplyDeleteFor a peaceful woman set on doing good, it seems strange that I like these crime shows. I guess it is the solving of the mystery, and baddies brought to justice which appeals
DeleteCrossfire was rubbish. I gave up shortly into episode 2. I'll miss Jimmy Perez but won't miss Tosh. Those rabbit-caught-in-the-headlights eyes and that squinty unsmiling mouth were getting on my nerves, not to mention her lack of attention to that new baby!Stanley Tucci in Inside Man is par excellence but David Tennant is below par and his storyline is somewhat incredulous. He swears a lot for a vicar and that's not his only sin! I still love Columbo on rainy Sundays and there's nobody to touch Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote)!USA series would be Law and Order and all the CSI's. Bring back Cagney and Lacey, I say!It would be marvellous if you did come to Scotland. What larks meeting up.
ReplyDeleteI was getting tired of Tosh too ( I did like Sandy and Duncan tho) Inside Man on my watch list. I think Tucci and Tennant both great actors. But I loathe the way they portray Revs on the box (they're never like the ones I know) I'll let you know if we ever are on holiday up North!
DeleteOut of the ones you have shared I have always watched Shetland, and I have recorded but not yet watched the new Karen Pirie.
ReplyDeleteOf the English detective shows I love Midsomer Murders, MacDonald and Dodds and Vera. I'm really looking forward to the new Vera episodes that are due out soon.
I hope you enjoy KP. And hope there are more M&D in the pipeline
DeleteWe enjoyed Shetland on Netflix but I seem to remember it was cut off at some point. The others will be good for us to look out for since we changed to Britbox. I enjoyed Ben Miller in D in P and was impressed that he gave up the opportunity to act more episodes in the beautiful location because it took him away from his family for too long. Lovely guy!
ReplyDeleteHe gave up filming DIP in the Carribbean to film.Prof T in Cambridge . Good swap iimho, esp for his family
ReplyDeleteI haven’t watched any of these. It can make conversations with others difficult if you don’t watch much tv!
ReplyDeleteDo you read crime novels? That is sometimes a good starting point
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