A Touch Of Frost: Seasons 9 & 10

If you are reading a review of A Touch of Frost Seasons 9 & 10, I believe it is safe to say that you are familiar with the character of Detective Inspector Jack Frost, played once again by the delightful Sir David Jason. Since I am married to an expat, there are a few dates that we have marked on the calendar: our Anniversary, Guy Fawkes Night (For Her), the Boston Tea Party (For Me) and the DVD-pre order's of anything involving A Touch of Frost or David Jason. No sooner did Seasons 9 & 10 arrive did I have to guess what would be on the TV the next three nights.

Packed onto 3 DVD's are a total of 4 episodes, including a two parter which covers Season 9. Jason continues to play Jack Frost effortlessly. Frost's curmudgeonly, passionate and sometimes improper methods continue to lead Frost to success. For those familiar with the series, it is interesting to note that Frost's supervisor, Mullet, has finally realized that Frost is more of an asset than a hindrance. The internal strife between conformity and non-conformity that has been played as a subplot by Frost and Mullet through the years has been shifted to a Frost/Mullet versus outside police management story. It is nice to see that the storyline change to reflect the dynamics between these two characters.

The strongest episode is Hidden Truth. Followed by Mistaken Identity and Close Encounters. One reason I have always enjoyed British crime shows is because the procedures and methods are somewhat alien to US viewers. This difference, at least to me, allows for a greater suspension of disbelief. I can not stand to watch CSI: Albuquerque or any of its 24 manifestations. I do enjoy Frost. Of course, a review written by someone on the other side of the pond might have the exact opposite reaction and tend to think that Frost is "rubbish"!

One thing Frost used to stay away from was the blathering CSI doublespeak which permeates every episode of this aforementioned title. You know it when you hear it...two forensic specialists explaining to each other ad nauseam about a scientific fact they both already know but feel the need to state anyway. Guy 1: "Hey, Blood". Guy 2: "You know blood type is determined by the presence of antigens on the surface of red blood cells". Guy 1 {Nods in Agreement}. This popped up a couple times more than usual, but for Frost's sake, I will let it slide.

Seasons 9 & 10 are presented in anamorphic widescreen with a fairly nice transfer considering the PAL to NSTC conversion. Don't look for any extras, which would be nice someday, but do look for David Jason's brother making a reappearance as Trigg. I know we are a couple years behind the UK on Frost titles, so I can guarantee there is at least one more Season looking for a spot on our shelf.

I have been watching the "A Touch of Frost" series for years. I am a great fan of this Murder/mystery series and I can certainly comprehend why it is so popular in Great Britain. David Jason has been playing the role of Detective Inspector Jack Frost for many years and he is very believable and wonderful as the un orthodox, non politically correct, witty, crumpled, short of patience and curmudgeon like (but with a very good and extremely honorable heart) detective Jack Frost. Viewing seasons nine and ten was like putting on a favorite flannel pair of pajamas (on a cold winter night) and enjoying the comfort. I knew that I would be very well entertained by the script and by the acting and as expected, I was indeed well entertained. This is really a splendid murder/mystery/detective series with Seasons 9 and 10 continuing the very fine tradition.

Although the above might give one the impression that "A Touch of Frost" is sleep inducing, it is NOT! This 3-dvd disc 4 episode release of seasons 9 and 10 is anything but sleep inducing; it contains some exciting well written stories. Frost has a new partner and a new love interest. Both of the new characters add some "spice" and some "new life" to the series. In addition, for once, he and his boss seem to be "on the same side' of police matters. Frost supervisor, inspector Mullet appears to have accepted that Frost is a damn good detective even though his methods could be thought of as unorthodox and a tad "heavy handed"-when he is on the scent of solving a murder there ain't no stopping him. The aforesaid is very evident in the two part story in Season 9 "Mistaken Identity" which is a "nail biting" episode.

If you want to see a great detective series or you just want to continue a love affair, as I did, with "A Touch of Frost" you can't go wrong buying Seasons 9 and 10 of "A Touch of Frost" Contained therein are two GREAT seasons!!

I think you could arguably say that I have seen every Frost episode, at least those on DVD. I envy those in the UK that have been able to see all of the episodes that don't make it to distribution!

The English do the murder/mystery genre like none other! Unlike the lame series' Hollywood churns out that's full of nothing but slamming doors, car chases, and shootouts, with gratuitous sex and/or violence to overwhelm the least bit of allegory present in the morally and creatively bankrupt scripts that only Hollywood would pass as entertainment.

Frost's hard edge, with surprising interludes of humanity, to his own detriment at times, keep the long-running story line fresh. Frost is human---he makes mistakes, he forgets personal plans because he's so married to his job, and loves to rebel against the imperially dictated administrivia that gets in the way of doing the real work.

The last episode could well be the death knell for Frost---though I can only hope not. It would be fun to see Frost struggle in middle management as a DCI, straddling the line between Inspector and being in league with Hornrim Harry!

Let's hope for an 11th & 12th season.

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