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By
WADE GOSSETT
Is there anything else on
British TV apart from mysteries? Not that I'm
complaining, but I am surprised at how many
mystery series, from the classic ones to some
decidedly odd ones come from the UK. Each has its
one twist, and Blue Murder is not an exception.
The set-up in this police procedural is about
newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Janine
Lewis (Caroline Quentin) who not only has to solve
murders despite pressure from her rather unhelpful
-- and sexist -- boss but also juggle kids as a
single mom: In the very first episode Lewis finds
her husband in bed with another woman when she
goes in their bedroom, champagne bottle in hand,
to celebrate her promotion in the Manchester
police.
Lewis has a close-knit police team working with
her, while her assistant (Ian Kelsey) is slowly
becoming more than merely a colleague. At the same
time she tends children, whose problems range from
drunkenness to lice.
Initially I did not recognize Quentin, whom I saw
in Jonathan Creek and Men Behaving Badly. She's a
good actress and is affecting in this dramatic
role. Whether you'll like the series depends on
how much of a mystery fan you are. I don't think
Blue Murder breaks any new ground -- it actually
reminded me very much of A Touch of Frost. Sure,
Jack Frost doesn't have the complications of a
personal life, but the murders and the processes
used are very similar.
The only problem I had -- and I suspect other US
viewers will face -- is deciphering the thick
Manchester accents. This is one case where
subtitles would have been very helpful. |
