The Last Detective: Complete Collection (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)"The Last Detective: The Complete Collection," comprising all 17 episodes of this superior British television mystery series, is now becoming available in the United States for the first time. The series, a subversive police procedural, was made by Granada for the United Kingdom's Independent Television (ITV). It made its debut on British broadcast television in February 2003, and has never been seen on broadcast TV here, which is our loss, as it is an excellent, character-driven production that offers a light-hearted blend of mystery and comedy similar to that of Poirot Investigates: Eleven Complete Mysteries;Blue Murder: Set 3; or Rosemary & Thyme - The Complete Series. The collection comes at a value-packed price, and offers as a bonus, the 1981 treatment, starring Bernard Cribbins, that tells the same story as this series' pilot.
It's based on the "Dangerous Davies" novels of Leslie Thomas. The veteran, highly thought of, everyman looking Peter Davison (Tristan in All Creatures Great & Small - The Complete Series 1 Collection), stars as the title character, Detective Constable Davies (and it's quite a disgrace for an older man to be only a constable!) He works in the totally unimportant, out of the way, North London precinct of Willesden. And he's only the last detective in that he's the last detective his boss would assign to any case, had he his choice in the matter. So Davies gets the least promising cases: yet, in his plodding fashion, he generally does get his man - or woman, as the case may be.
Emma Amos plays his sexy wife, Julie: in the complete collection you will see their relationship go through some changes, as she first throws him out, then takes him back. Sean Hughes, (the guy from Eejit Records in The Commitments (Two-Disc Collector's Edition), plays his freeloading, quirky chum, Mod: we see him go through quite a few career changes in the complete collection, too. Rob Spendlove plays Detective Inspector Aspinall, the station house's tough supervisor. Charles De'Ath as DS Pimlott and Billy Geraghty as DS Barrett add greatly to the flavor of the cop shop; and we get to see the three of them going through changes too. Various well-known actors, such as Sian Philips, Norman Wisdom,David Threlfall and Susan Woordridge, guest star in supporting, but still meaty, roles.
The series manages to be witty and entertaining, yet still intellectually satisfying, with a minimum of onscreen violence. Cinematography is fine, and it's firmly grounded in its North London location. For better or worse, its actors have been encouraged to use that locale's flavorful accent: some may have trouble with it. But it really is a pleasure getting to see all the episodes in sequence, and seeing the characters develop. British mystery lovers: this one's for you.


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Britain\'s bumbling and beloved detective
Detective Constable "Dangerous" Davies always gets the cases no one else wants--and no one notices when he eventually succeeds. But his old-fashioned decency and dogged determination have won him legions of loyal fans. Collected here are all 17 episodes from the hit British mystery series starring Peter Davison (Doctor Who, All Creatures Great and Small), who plays the beleaguered Davies "with a pitch-perfect mix of self-effacement and irritation at the endless slights from crooks and fellow cops alike" (The Baltimore Sun).
Mocked by colleagues at his small London police station and estranged from his wife, he actually listens to advice from his kooky chum Mod (Sean Hughes, The Commitments). Still, Dangerous manages to make connections that the slicker cops miss and shows that underdogs do have their day.
BONUS PROGRAM: Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective, the 1981 movie starring Bernard Cribbins that tells the same story as series pilot.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE: an interview with Peter Davison, Leslie Thomas bio and booklist, photo galleries, and cast filmographies.

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Midsomer Murders: Set 11 (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)So many of our friends and family regret the decision of A & E and the Biography channels not to renew this classic British series. It is pure escapism and deliciously photographed in the wonderful English countryside. John Nettles is everyman's hard working police inspector - cynical, darkly humourous and wholly believable. The cast and characters are comprised of true eccentrics (as only the Brits can be) and one never knows what lies around the next corner in one of the charming Midsomer Counties villages. If anyone of the powers that be in the programing offices of any network are reading this, please reconsider returning Inspector Barnaby and his confreres to their rightful place on our side of the Pond. They are sorely missed!

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What evil lurks beyond the well-trimmed hedges of Midsomer… The cozy villages of Midsomer County reveal their most sinister secrets in these contemporary British television mysteries. Inspired by the novels of Caroline Graham, modern master of the English village mystery, the series stars John Nettles (Bergerac) as the unflappable Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby with Jason Hughes (This Life) as his earnest, efficient protégé, Detective Constable Ben Jones. Guest stars include George Baker, Elizabeth Spriggs, Simon Callow, Joss Ackland, Siân Phillips, Dermot Crowley, and Julia McKenzie. THE MYSTERIES The House in the Woods -- According to local legend, Winyard is haunted-and it lives up to its reputation when a young couple dies on the property in a grisly fashion. Dead Letters -- As Midsomer Barton celebrates Oak Apple Week, the mother of a former festival queen drowns herself. But is it really suicide? Vixen’s Run -- At a family gathering, thrice-married baronet Freddy Butler keels over dead, leaving an estate worth killing for.Down Among the Dead Men -- The shotgun slaying of accountant Martin Barrett leads Barnaby and Jones on a trail of blackmail. DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE Fascinating Facts, The Killings at Badger’s Drift connection, Caroline Graham biography, production notes, and cast filmographies.

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Agatha Christie's Marple: Series 1 (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I watched the new Miss Marple series, excited to see what Geraldine McEwan would do with the role. Unfortunately, I don't like what they've done with this latest batch of Christie's. Mrs. McEwan is a fine actress and she brings a "fluffiness" to the role that is missing from the Hickson version. Still, there is too much tampering with the plotlines to suit me. There are significant changes made in a couple of the stories, most notably in "The Body in the Library" so let the buyer beware. This isn't a minor change either as it involves the resolution of the case. They also add an odd, on-going storyline involving Miss Marple's own past love life that is simply not part of the books and isn't even close to being in keeping with the character of Miss Marple. As Agatha Christie is arguably the most acclaimed and accomplished mystery writer that ever lived, these changes were pretty outrageous. Her books stand the test of time and need no updating simply to satisfy 21st century ideas. I was surprised at this as the British are usually the ones who can be depended upon to leave good stories alone. So, if you just want a few hours of light entertainment, have at it, but if you're an Agatha Christie purist, you won't like this dvd so save your money.

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She's back! Proper, demure, and sharp as a tack, Agatha Christie's beloved Miss Marple returns to the limelight in sparkling new adaptations of four classic Christie novels. Geraldine McEwan (The Magdalene Sisters, Mapp & Lucia) is the ladylike sleuth, a wispy senior citizen who blows the police professionals out of the water with her keen insight and shrewdly analytical nature. Fearless and uncommonly wise to the worst in human nature, Marple has lived a long time-and she's paid attention. As seen on the PBS Mystery! series, these lavish 21st-century productions are rich in post-WWII period atmosphere and delicious Christie wit, with star-studded casts that include Joanna Lumley, Derek Jacobi, Tara Fitzgerald, Ian Richardson, Janet McTeer, Zok Wanamaker, Simon Callow, James Fox, John Hannah, and Celia Imrie. The Mysteries: Murder at the Vicarage The Body in the Library A Murder Is Announced 4:50 From Paddington DVD special features include an hour-long behind-the-scenes featurette with cast and crew interviews, a history of Miss Marple adaptations, a photo gallery and more.

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The Last Enemy (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was having a discussion with a much younger person, a college freshman, who was talking enthusiastically about how much she accomplishes on the internet: banking, investing, shopping, updating her information on Facebook. I suggested that she read George Orwell's 1984, Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale and watch the movie The Net. Also to check out what happened during the 2003 North East Blackout when debit cards wouldn't work, computers stopped, cell towers were overloaded so it was hard to make a call and if you needed a card to enter a building, you're out of luck. This BBC drama takes the whole scenario even further to demonstrate the good and the bad of using surveillance technology to protect us as long as we are considered "the good citizens." You don't have to be particularly paraniod to see how many of the things written about in 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale have become matters of course.
This series has excellent acting, plenty of suspense and makes you want to watch it all in one viewing. It's entertaining as well as thought-provoking.

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Item Name: The Last Enemy; Studio:WGBH - Preorder

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Foyle's War - Set 3 (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)Series 3 of the excellent series Foyle's war was first telecast in the U.S. on PBS on 11, 18, 25 Sep. and 3 Oct. 2005 and was released on DVD on 1 Nov. 2005. However, watching the DVDs of all series is preferable if one wants to see the unexpurgated episodes. Here are the first telecast dates for series 1-4 of Foyle's war:
series 1: telecast UK Oct.-Nov. 2002, US in Feb. 2003 (on Masterpiece theater, with Russell Baker introducing)
series 2: telecast UK Nov.-Dec. 2003, US in July-Aug. 2004 (on Mystery)
series 3: telecast UK Oct.-Nov. 2004, US in Sep.-Oct. 2005 (on Mystery)
series 4: was filmed in spring 2005 and will be telecast in 2006
The PBS broadcasts in the US are edited for a 90-minute period, which includes the Mystery (or Masterpiece theater) opening-closing sequences, between-program promos, etc. This means that each episode is really only 85 minutes long at best. Region 1 DVDs (U.S., Canada), in contrast, are about 100 minutes per episode, as are the region 2 DVDs (Europe--see www.amazon.co.uk): specific values for the 4 episodes on series 2 are (for region 1) 98.5, 97.9, 98.3, 98.3 minutes. Thus in the U.S. for the proper, more nuanced episode watching Foyle's war on DVD is essential and preferable to viewing it on PBS.
Note: In a 28 Sep. 2004 interview with creator-writer Anthony Horowitz, he was asked: "Do you realise that the show is edited to pieces when it's shown on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the states?" Horowitz replied: "Yes we're very sorry about that. It's not something I'd choose to do. It's American networking. I'd advise all American fans to get their hands on the English DVDs to see them in full." I note here that American fans need only get the *American* DVDs to see the episodes in full. Also, if you first watch the shortened PBS telecast, you may later wonder about some lengthier scenes when you watch the DVDs.

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The international hit mystery series continues with four stories set in 1941, as World War II rages over Europe. Michael Kitchen (Out of Africa) stars as detective Christopher Foyle, whose loyalties are put to the test as his investigations uncover unpleasant truths that powerful people would rather keep hidden. Grounded in historical fact and filmed in London and the southern counties of England, Foyle’s War opens a unique window on a significant time and place. As seen on PBS. Also starring Anthony Howell, Honeysuckle Weeks, Julian Ovenden, and featuring Corin Redgrave, Bill Paterson, Stella Gonet, Samuel West, Angela Thorne, and James Wilby. THE MYSTERIES:
THE FRENCH DROP-Investigating a suspicious death, Foyle gets caught up in the rivalry between the established spy agency MI5 and the newly created SOE (Special Operations Executive).
ENEMY FIRE-Sabotage, murder, and adultery at a pioneering RAF hospital brings Foyle face to face with the devastating physical and emotional consequences of war.
THEY FOUGHT IN THE FIELDS-A murdered farmer and the crash landing of a German plane present a confusing case, especially as spring is in the air and even Foyle is not immune to a whiff of romance.
A WAR OF NERVES-An unexploded bomb at a busy shipyard leads to a startling discovery in a complex story of greed and politics. DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE behind-the-scenes documentary with interviews and exclusive "making-of" footage, production notes, and cast filmographies.

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Jonathan Creek - Season One (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)It's about time..!!!.....this is a series of mysteries involving Jonathan (who designs magic tricks for a magician) and Maddy who is a journalist. Maddy always seems to get into situations where she needs Jonathan to bail her out. VERY good scripts and acting. If you like real British mysteries with lots of twists then this is the series to buy. Can't wait to see them again.

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Meet the magician with the trick of solving impossible crimes. Jonathan and Maddy investigate crimes which seem to have no rational explanation. Jonathan Creek is a bit of a nerd, but he is also a bit of a quick-witted genius. Maddy Magellan is an investigative crime writer, and the pair join forces to unravel a series of mysteries. Among their many adventures, Jonathan and Maddy encounter the powers of voodoo and dream-predictions, and cases involving strange disappearances, an alien life-form and tricks of time.

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The Last Detective - Series 2 (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)This enjoyable low-key British crime drama continues with Peter Davison as the under-appreciated, constantly bullied, but well-loved copper, DC Davies. Following his eviction by his landlady, he is now forced to live with his idiosyncratic friend Mod (Sean Hughes). His estranged wife, Julie (Emma Amos), doesn't appear until the 2nd episode and this season we get to see a less pleasant side of her. The second season doesn't have quite as much interaction between Davies and his friends and colleagues as I would have like. This was its appeal to me in the first season. Here it focuses more on the crime solving and mystery element. The mysteries however don't have quite the polish of those from Arthur Conan Doyle, P.D. James or Agatha Christie. Still they serve as moderately intriguing puzzlers. Again, just 4 episodes in this season. British seasons are so painfully short. Thankfully the episodes last a good 70-minutes each.
Episode 1 (Christine) finds Davies looking into the mysterious demise of a rich painter, apparently burnt to death in his own locked room. Suspicion falls on the young, alluringly beautiful and not too grieving widow, Christine (the very sexy Susan Vidler). Mod comes up with his usual crackpot theory: spontaneous human combustion.
Episode 2 (The Long Bank Holiday) finds Davies bullied into working over the Easter weekend. He helps an Indian pharmacist settle a dispute with a racist neighbour and then discovers a horde of buried bones in the man's backyard. An apparent suicide on the train tracks and the disappearance of a prisoner on home-leave are tied together by a murder that happened 20 years ago.
Episode 3 (Benefit to Mankind) has Davies travelling to Wales to look into the apparent suicide of a scientist involved in pharmaceutical research and the subsequent disappearance of his assistant. His sympathetic boss tries to help by counselling him to be more assertive and Davies finally shows some temper and backbone by standing up to the young detectives who constantly poke fun at him.
Episode 4 (Dangerous & The Lonely Hearts) is based on the last of Leslie Thomas' "Dangerous" novels. It is also the most satisfying of the four episodes. Davies helps 8-year-old Katie track down her mother's killer. Davies discovers that his boss visits the same dating agency as the dead mother and that they had gone out together. He also reaches the end of the tether with his estranged wife and gives her an ultimatum.
Not quite as sunny and jovial as the first season, this still makes for a very pleasant evening of light, easy-going entertainment. Like the previous season, Acorn presents this in the original 1.78:1 widescreen (Anamorphic). The 4 episodes are generously spread over 2 discs. Picture quality is excellent. Sound is in the original 2.0 Dolby Surround. Again, no subtitles are provided. Extras include a biography and bibliography for Leslie Thomas, a cast filmography and a picture gallery.
Note: The Fourth season has already aired in Britain and the Fifth is currently in production.

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As disrespected, disheveled, and endearingly dedicated as ever, Detective Constable "Dangerous" Davies (Peter Davison, Doctor Who, All Creatures Great and Small) returns to solve four new, full-length mysteries. His wife left him, his coworkers sarcastically dubbed him "Dangerous," and his boss called him the "last detective" expected to crack a big case. He even listens to advice from his kooky chum Mod (Sean Hughes, The Commitments). Still, Dangerous manages to make connections that slicker chaps in the North London constabulary miss. Whether investigating the mysterious deaths of a would-be artist, a medical researcher, an unknown victim under a high-speed train, or a pretty Kosovan refugee, Davies shows that underdogs do have their day. "Witty and well-plotted" -TV Times

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Midsomer Murders: Set 12 (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)For all of us who wondered how Cabot Cove wound up with any citizens left after all those murders in Jessica's wake...take heart...the territory has been expanded into a whole British equivalent of a county (Midsomer) in the heart of Jolly Olde England, chock full of villages just simmering over with perfect villiany. This series is still going full steam in Britian. In fact a rerun of one on ITV recently out performed all original programming on the other channels. So it is just as appreciated in it's homeland as it is becoming in the colonies. It is the epitome of well thought out murder plots brimming over with those gloriously quaint characters one only encounters in England. Long time Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby (played by John Nettles) and his now third Deputy Inspector are forever unraveling unsavory goings on in towns as diverse as Carsten (evidently the urban center of the county) or villages like Midsomer Mallow where the citizens busy themselves about the business of building up petty hatreds and retributions galore. The pace is never too fast. The murder or murders are always diabolique or so interpersonally convoluted as to render you entranced at it's revelation. While lacking the bitter sophistication of Morse...or the witty repartee of Poirot in another era...these murder mysteries will bequile you with their scenery, their down to earth eccentrics, and even DCI Barnaby's happy home life (gone are the psychological demons attacking modern detectives and making them as miserable as the victims they encounter). None of that in Midsomer. You get the feeling Barnaby wouldn't trade his job for a promotion to London in a million years, he's content, but constantly amazed at the capacity for murder in his elysian fields. He has a loving wife and a grown daughter who keeps moving in and out of his life. The different villages are all interesting. Nobody does this murder business better than the British...period. It's just a lark on all counts. At my house the wife, the kids, and the grandkids know that on Sunday evening it's my Midsomer Murder night and woe to those who disturb me during those 100 minutes of mayhem.

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The cozy villages of Midsomer County reveal their most sinister secrets in these contemporary British television mysteries. Inspired by the novels of Caroline Graham, modern master of the English village mystery, the series stars John Nettles (Bergerac) as the unflappable Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby with Jason Hughes (This Life) as his earnest, efficient protégé, Detective Constable Ben Jones. Guest stars include Richard McCabe, Clare Holman, Peter Capaldi, Saskia Wickham, Dominic Jephcott, Siobhan Redmond, Juliet Aubrey, John Shrapnel, and Guy Henry.
THE MYSTERIES Four Funerals and a Wedding--Every year, the Skimmington Fayre rekindles an age-old battle of the sexes in Broughton. But this year, the bodies really start to accumulate.Country Matters--With the town of Elverton in an uproar over a new supermarket, a mysterious man turns up murdered on the store\'s proposed site.Death in Chorus--Approaching a big choral competition, the Midsomer Worthy amateur choir loses its tenor to murder. Last Year\'s Model--As Annie Woodrow goes on trial for murdering her best friend, DCI Barnaby begins to have second thoughts about her guilt.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE 50th episode production notes, text interviews with John Nettles and Jason Hughes, Caroline Graham biography, and cast filmographies.

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The Complete Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)"And you know what I would say? The world can wait." -- Lynley to Havers in a poignant moment from "In the Blink of an Eye."
This series was intelligent and entertaining, and one of my all time favorites in the history of television. Now that it has finally ended, despite the campaign to save it, this fabulous boxed set is being released. It covers everything from the initial "A Great Deliverance" through the final episode. For those who have never seen it, it is like finding a diamond among rocks. And for those who looked forward to seeing Lynley and Havers each season more than anyone else on television, it is the perfect opportunity to look back and remember why we fell in love with this BBC show which became a staple of PBS's Mystery.
Nathaniel Parker as Lynley and Sharon Small as Havers were perfect for their roles. The Inspector Lynley series was smart and atmospheric, Debbie Wiseman's opening music setting the tone for each intriguing installment. Based on Elizabeth George's characters, the BBC show grew and matured beyond the books, which frustrated some, yet delighted others. The dashing Lynley was originally paired with Havers due to politics and because it was taken for granted he would not be distracted by her in a romantic way. He was Oxford and she was from the other side of life.
The clashes that came in the first two seasons due to those differences became less important as the two quickly found there was more to each other than their reputations. They proved a great team and became quite close, their deep friendship and affection for each other rarely dwelled upon but always there beneath the surface. By season three when personal crisis hit both of them hard, it was each other to which they clung.
By season five the series had become more than the sum of its parts. Havers had softened some over time and Lynley had become more accessible, both due to the influence of the other. Season five began with Lynley suspended pending an inquiry into brutality charges, in "Natural Causes." Barbara had been paired with a very pregnant D.I. not warmed by Lynley's manner. He believes she is overlooking promising leads and ingratiates himself into the investigation. The episode provided some fun as towards the conclusion Barbara is the acting D.I. and Lynley must do her bidding.
The final episode of season five would provide one of the most poignant moments in the entire series. "In the Blink of an Eye" had a murder in Soho tied to horrific crimes in Bosnia. Catherine Russell portrayed Lynley's beloved Helen by season five and it would be her involvement in the case which would bring about events so tragic and unforseen that they would send our favorite Inspector into the bottle.
Havers and an old case would help Lynley crawl back among the living once again in season six. In "Limbo," first aired in Australia, the remains of Lynley's godson are discovered twelve years after he was reported missing. Lynley becomes deeply involved with the deceased's sister and will himself become the prime suspect in a second murder. In "Know Thine Enemy" one young schoolgirl kills herself to escape captivity and Lynley and Havers try to find another before tragedy strikes twice.
Parker and Small sparkled in their roles, giving carefully nuanced performances in mysteries both intelligent and entertaining. Fans of quality television and especially mystery lovers will find a bonanza in these 23 installments starring Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small as Lynley and Havers. Fans truly cherished this show as much as Lynley did his cars, especially his Bristol. Included in this wonderful boxed set for fans is:
A Great Deliverance --- SEASON ONE / Well-Schooled in Murder --- Payment in Blood --- For the Sake of Elena --- Missing Joseph SEASON TWO / Playing for the Ashes --- In the Presence of the Enemy --- A Suitable Vengeance --- Deception on His Mind SEASON THREE / In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner --- A Traitor to Memory --- A Cry for Justice --- If Wishes Were Horses SEASON FOUR / In Divine Proportion --- In the Guise of Death --- The Seed of Cunning --- The Word of God SEASON FIVE --- Natural Causes --- One Guilty Deed --- Chinese Walls --- In the Blink of an Eye SEASON SIX / Limbo --- Known Thine Enemy

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COMPLETE INSPECTOR LYNLEY MYSTERIES - DVD Movie

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The Inspector Lynley Mysteries - Series 6 (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)I mentioned when writing about season five that this delicately etched and excellently acted series on PBS's "Mystery" was my favorite. It still is. I truly believe it is the finest show on television. Nathaniel Parker's Inspector Thomas Lynley and Sharon Small's Barbara Havers are eagerly awaited with passion each season by this viewer like nothing else on television.
Based on Elizabeth George's characters, the BBC show has grown and matured into something really special. The mysteries are always well-written and the lead characters have been allowed to let life and what each brings to the table change both themselves and how they view each other. Parker and Small are a fabulous duo who balance each other out.
The dashing Lynley was originally paired with Havers because it was taken for granted he would not be distracted by her in a romantic way. But the two quickly found there was more to each other than their reputations, and proved a great team. They also became quite close, their deep friendship and affection for each other rarely dwelled upon but always there beneath the surface.
Havers has given the dashing Lynley depth and complexity while he has given her a softer appearance over time. Small really looked terrific in season five with her hair down. Though some griped it was a deviation from the books, it is this intelligent lack of stagnation which has kept things fresh.
Season five ended tragically as Lynley's world changed in the blink of an eye when his beloved Helen was killed. One of the most poignant moments of the series found Havers sitting with Lynley after her funeral to make the world wait a few moments. It is intelligent and very real moments such as that which make this show tower head and shoulders above everything else out there.
It is for that reason that a massive campaign is being waged to persuade the BBC to continue to produce the show so that PBS fans in America can enjoy these richly mature and intelligent mysteries. The carefully nuanced performances of Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small as Lynley and Havers would be harder to live without than Lynley's beloved Bristol.
Until that happens, we can at least enjoy the two episodes here on season six. In "Limbo," first aired in Australia, the remains of Lynley's godson are discovered twelve years after he was reported missing. Lynley becomes deeply involved with the deceased's sister and will become the prime suspect in a second murder. In "Know Thine Enemy" one young schoolgirl kills herself to escape captivity and Lynley and Havers try to find another before tragedy strikes twice.
The Inspector Lynley series is smart and atmospheric, Debbie Wiseman's opening music setting the tone for each intriguing installment. Fans cherish this show and hopefully this won't be the last we see of our favorite detectives.

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INSPECTOR LYNLEY MYSTERIES 6 SET - DVD Movie

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The Last Detective - Series 1 (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Last Detective is a fabulous show that is steeped in charm and class. Peter Davison unobtrusively holds the show together as the decent but overlooked PC 'Dangerous' Daviies who, through unflashy police work and dogged determination reveals important truths in the overlooked and seemingly unimportant.
Davison is assisted in his task by a superlative supporting cast, most notably Sean Hughs as his drinking buddy Mod and Rob Spendlove as his dyspepsic boss.
The production quality of this programme is high and the script and performances sincere and humourous. The dark side of crime is not avoided in this programme and it can enter some dark territory but, like Dangerous himself, you never loose faith in human nature. The enormous affection and popularity of this show in the UK may have much to do with the affection held for the underdog and while this programme plays to this affection you never loose respect for Dangerous. Davison magnificently pulls off the task of portraying a characher who is professionally overlooked, unlucky in love but stubbonly loyal - to the truth, and to people and cases, who, like him, are sidlined in life.
As an aside I would also like to make an honourable mention to the soundtrack of this show. The composer should be proud as it is unobtrusive but sets the secene perfectly. Its minor key conveys the tragedy of crime and the lugubrious nature of Davies' plodding with a lighter harmony that refelcts the comic flourishes of the show.
In conclusion this series is a gem which I highly recommend. Buy it and be rewarded by gentle but honest stories about not so gentle and not always so honest people.

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He’s gentle, old-fashioned, and decent; nice even when he’s drunk. But these qualities only earn Detective Constable "Dangerous" Davies (Peter Davison, Dr. Who, All Creatures Great and Small) the scorn of his fellow detectives in a small London police station. His boss tells him straight out that he’s the last detective he would assign to a major crime-solving mission. Unlucky in love, rumpled, and accident prone, Dangerous muddles on and, with the help of his eccentric friend Mod (Sean Hughes, The Commitments), he proves the merits of his dogged, unglamorous method. He likes being a detective and, occasionally, he gets to do some good. Based on the Dangerous Davies novels by Leslie Thomas.

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