Blue Murder: Set 3

"Blue Murder, Set 3,"debuts on DVD, available on this side of the pond for the first time. The show, a crime drama/police procedural, leavened with some sly humor, and a domestic side, is made by the British firm Independent Television (ITV)and is a ratings hit in the U.K.,where it consistently ranks #1 in its primetime slot.

Caroline Quentin ("Jonathan Creek," "Men Behaving Badly,"), an award-winning actress, plays Detective Chief Inspector Janine Lewis, and reveals that she's got solid dramatic chops, as well as comic ones. She supervises a squad in the contemporary English midlands city of Manchester; but she's also a single mum of four, who finds it equally difficult to supervise goings-on in her own home. Ian Kelsey ("Casualty") plays her handsome lead detective, source of some romantic and professional stress. Nicholas Murchie stands out as Detective Schapp.

The series inevitably will be compared to Helen Mirren's "Prime Suspect," although the mysteries in this series are lighter than, not as powerful as, some in the other series. However, the three new mysteries are set in Manchester, and filmed there: it's a bustling town we don't often get to see. And it's been filmed with a liberal hand, no shortage of cars and people in the streets, bars, police station. The actors have been encouraged to use local accent and slang, which add greatly to the pleasure of the production, and the distributor, Acorn has been kind enough to give us - unadvertised - subtitles, thank goodness.

Episode 1, "Not A Matter of Life and Death," concerns the murder of black footballer Duane Kent, a rising star in the local youth league. Investigation seems to indicate that he led a - puzzling--double life.

Episode 2, "Desperate Measures," concerns Dr. Donald Halliwell, shot dead outside his office while in the midst of a much-publicized malpractice suit. Then a disgruntled intern in his practice turns up missing. Investigation shows irregularities in Halliwell's life, and practice, motives for murder.

Episode 3,"Crisis Management." We learn that DCI Lewis tells strangers-- in this case, a handsome army man met at a pub--that that's what she does. But there's almost immediately a vicious murder on his regiment's base, only a week before its deployment to the Persian Gulf. This episode has some strong character arcs, and traction.

If you like a lighter, female-headed, female-oriented mystery, with a domestic angle, and a sly streak of comedy, check it out.

"Everywhere you look now
Murder incorporated
Down on your knees
Murder
Everywhere that you turn it's murder
Murder
Everywhere you look there's murder."
Bruce Springsteen

Detective Chief Inspector Janine Lewis is one of those great women characters who is able to run her work family, and her home family with equal distinction. It's a great balance but she is also warm and emotionally available, endearing her to her family at home, and the ones at work. There is good humor in both places, and, at the same time the seriousness of both jobs come through. Janine lives and works in Manchester and her team at work is a an interesting mix of personalities and unique strengths. They work well together and even disagreements are looked at realistically. Janine is looked at as the leader with great respect by her team. In fact the popularity of the show, this is their fifth season, lies in Caroline Quentin's hands as DCI Lewis.

The cast of the British, BBC series is superb and through the five years we get to know each one. Ian Kelsey plays DI Richard Mayne. He is the good looking, best ass in Manchester is his call, man who once was Janine's equal until he left for the South. He is back, divorced, and quite attracted to Janine. Janine's husband left her for a younger woman, and she is available and playful but not quite yet.

Nicolas Murchie is DS Tony Shap. He is a short man and plays to that weakness and is known at times to play a little loose with the rules. He is a good chap and works hard.

Paul Loughran is DS Ian Butchers, a roly poly lad, who loves his job and worships DCI Lewis. He can be counted upon to take on the toughest,most mundane jobs and find information no one else can uncover.

Rhea Bailey plays DC Lisa Goodall, she is new to the team and technically inclined. She wants above all to be one of the team, and DI Mayne has taken her under his wing. She goofs up at times, but is learning the ropes.

This is an entertaining new detective series that will appeal especially to British mystery buffs. The episodes, 4 in each DVD, are expertly written, directed and acted. The city of Manchester in the UK looks alive and welcoming in this series. The crimes are as they would be in any large city, murder sweeps the streets, and it is up to DCI Lewis and her team to solve them. And, as is not true in real life, each murder is solved, with twists and turns that are unexpected. This is a series that will captivate you. It is essentially about families, the relationships of families at work and at home. The tensions and stress we all live and feel, and the good times are shared. They are shared with us, the viewing family.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 09-21-08

Just a Minute 2 (BBC Radio)

All or Nothing at All

I will eventually buy all sets of this series. I really enjoy British mysteries although sometimes I have to listen very closely because they have a slang just as we Americans do and I do not always understand their meaning until I watch it again.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 11 reviews  4.4 out of 5 stars