Vexed: Series 1

I had no idea what to expect when I started watching this series (the title does nothing for the show, in my opinion), but from the opening apartment-hunting scene through each of the three well-scripted episodes, I found myself laughing outloud.

The murders are just an excuse for the "bada-bing, bada-boom" back and forth here. But there is enough there to make it work. And the supporting cast is all quite good.

I know, I know. You are suspicious when other people tell you that something is funny. Trust me on this one.

FUNNY! London's crime stopping copper couple relate like chalk `n cheese as they turn homicide into humor. Sarcasm constantly erupts--even around corpses. Cop incompetence & underachieving public servants. You'll LOVE them. Witty, this klutzy blonde and arrogant stud will keep the laughs going like a pair of stand-ups. Like no, ha-ha.... other, tee-hee.... investigative series.

Toby Stephens plays DI Jack Armstrong (Jane Eyre), a single, crass, laid-back but successful sleuth cop who commonly borders on `jerk.' His newly arrived partner is DI Kate Bishop (Lucy Punch- Doc Martin's receptionist) is married, eager to prove her worth. Their irreverent manner toward each other makes the show's humor.

SDH SUBTITLES for all three 58 minute episodes
~~~~1 A blond blue-eyed man is suspect in multiple murders. The Honeybee loyalty card data base seems a link. Hot beautiful Naomi Bentley (Mutual Friends) as Loren Roberts gets hit on by Jack. Kate goes undercover. Brutal humor.

~~~~2 Banker Andrew Bridgley (Kevin Doyle- Downton Abbey Seasons 1 & 2 Limited Edition Set - Original UK Version) is depressed over his car bombing--found with a body. More attempts at Bridgley complicate the case. Meanwhile, Kate and husband Dan (Rory Kinnear) have personal sex issues. It's all funny.

~~~~3 Gemma G, a rock group member is abducted, a case for the goofy cop duo. While trying to find the girl and the kidnapper, Kate decides about her marriage, Jack faces a groin surgeon. Coarse content comedy.

This BBC series was good enough to continue for six new episodes, planned for TV airing in late 2012. MI-5 Miranda Raison joins the new season. My funny bone is ready for those new episodes.

Two self-obsessed cops who can't seem to edit what they say, a supporting cast ranging from cerebral to insensitive, and a lot of slide-off-the-sofa-laughing humor make these three episodes from "Vexed" fun and worth seeing.

This is one of those shows that takes banter and wit to a politically incorrect extreme, and I'm embarrassed by how often I laughed, out loud, watching the first three episodes. Then, I recommended the show to my husband and I laughed even harder, watching these episodes with him.

I saw this show (in the US) during a short run on Acorn TV, but the lack of captions required several rewinds to understand the fast-paced dialogue and slang. Mostly, what these detectives say and do can be so appalling, I had to pause and replay sections to be sure that, yes, they really were that insensitive.

So, I came to Amazon looking for this show on DVD so I can have a version with closed captions.

I was already impressed with Lucy Punch (Doc Martin, Midsomer Murders) because she can play insensitive women with depth that's light years beyond the usual stereotypes. In "Vexed," her acting skills were pushed to an extreme. Few actors could deliver the role of DI Kate Bishop as seamlessly, humorously and convincingly as Punch.

Toby Stephens plays opposite her with a roguish twinkle in his eye and all the tact of a sledgehammer. (It's no surprise that Stephens won both the Sir John Gielgud Prize for Best Actor, and the Ian Charleson Award, for his title role in the Royal Shakespeare Company's 1994 "Coriolanus," and he has a long list of other impressive acting credentials.)

If you're easily offended by humor that walks that fine line just barely on this side of acceptable, you might not like this series. However, if you recognize this as something bordering on parody, and remember that it's entertainment, not real life, you may -- like me -- watch this over and over again, impressed by the writing and the acting skills that make it work.

With less adept actors, this show could be merely tasteless and two-dimensional. The wit and audacity make it work.