Above Suspicion - Set 1

i agree with the blurb on the box "The BEST U.K. POLICE DRAMA in years" Based on the best selling novels by lynda la plante, this series features strong characters: Rookie DC, Anna Travis (Kelly Reilly. Sherlock Holmes) on her first day on the murder squad "wears the wrong shoes, throws up at the crime scene and faints at the post mortem". DCI James Langton (Ciaran Hinds, the debt,there will be blood) only took her on because he'd owed her father a favour, but he soon takes a personal interest.
It's interesting to see how their relationship develops. Langton is best described as a British version of "Taggart" who yells all the time. Gradually Travis gains sufficient confidence to 'give as good as she gets' and demands respect. The viwer seldom sees a novice DC integrate into a team, learn her job and become her boss's favourite.

Above Suspicion, the pilot, introduces a series of brutal murders of prostitutes. The case develops from leads from a reporter, a roommate and a retired cop in Spain. Gradually the team zeros in on a famous actor who considers himself 'above suspicion'. there is the usual red herring suspects, but it's facinating as the disjointed pieces of the puzzle start to fit together. while chasing a serial killer it's clear that the arrest results from 'old-fashioned police work' not profiling. no one trys to understand the murderer -- the focus is on means, motive and opportunity. and noone is above suspicion.

The Red Daliah: A woman is found disfigured and tortured, then another .... Trsvis and Langton discover these murders are copycat crimes of the famed 1947 case from los angeles, The Black Dahliah. Do they have to solve the first to stop the second killer? the two cases weave together and come apart.

The Detective Commander takes a role in providing advice and ellusive information (she's having an affair w/ langton)when a peer of the realm becomes the prime suspect. she advises the aristocrat, whom she knows, considers himself above suspicion.

This new tv series provides plot-driven drama w/ dynamic characters. if you are a fan of british tv you will recognize many of the supporting cast. langton softens and the travis toughens as they bond in several ways. One of the tough woman characters is the ME who 'smacks' langton back in line when he impinges on her professional abilities Langton's second, the DI, is quiet, but supportive and helps bond the team. Each team member contributes a piece of the puzzle.

The killers are appropriately arrogant and sociopathic and if you are a fan of criminal minds, it's fun to profile them. they quickly become the suspect you love to hate. All the actors put in class performances and are believable. The dialogue develops each character and drives the plot forward. The plots are convoluted w/ twists and turns. Each time a person is called back to 'help w/ enquiries', lies are revealed, clues are provided and another plot twist occurs. I'm looking forward to series two.

Bonus: behind the scenes segments Above Suspicion(23 min) and The Red Daliah(28 Min); cast interviews, photo galleries and more ...

2 feature length dramas on two discs. approx 254 min. plus bonus. subtitles.

This is not a series that you want to watch while eating your supper! The backroom boys have done a superlative job on the various corpses that end up on the dissection table. The police team is solid and believable with two caveats. The neophyte Travis is, to my way of thinking, far too glamorous - a little less eye make-up would have made a her a lot more believable, and to be honest I think the age gap between her and her boss, played by Ciaran Hinds, was way too large for the 'sparks' that are supposed to fly between them. From him, no doubt. A well-made British police drama of its type.

As a fan of British detective series, I thoroughly enjoyed Above Suspicion. The characters, in particular, were engaging/ interesting. I'm looking forward to Set 2!