The Last Detective - Series 2

 

Picture: C     Sound: B-     Extras: C     Episodes: C

 

 

With the great array of TV crime and forensic shows on the air today, The Last Detective does not amount to a very great show.  The detective spoof show which is based on the Dangerous Davies novel series by Leslie Thomas attempts to walk the thin line between the hit USA Show Monk and a deeper crime show like Law and Order: SVU, but in the end fails to accomplish its creative goals.  The Last Detective lacks what these other television shows encompass heart, interesting characters, and plot-line development.  The twists and turns which are suppose to exist within this lackluster detective series seem more like a casual stroll around the corner, leaving this viewer unimpressed.  Peter Davison returns as Dr. Who… I mean Detective Davies in this 4 episode series, seemingly hired to be the big talent for the show but does in the end not standing out anymore than the rest of the cast.

 

As previously mentioned this is a 4 episode set including such bland episodes as:

 

          Christine

          The Long Bank Holiday

          Benefit to Mankind

          Dangerous and the Lonely

 

 

There are times in the show where I truly think that Detective Davies is about to do something exciting or the plot line is going to grab me, but inevitably fails to deliver.  The difference between this show’s and other show’s plots are that the wacky, pull a rabbit out of the hat endings don’t work.  The Last Detective’s epiphanies are underwhelming and often so dry the viewer wants the hour of their time back.

 

The picture on this detective show is presented in an anamorphic enhanced 16:9 widescreen, with many color and picture issues.  If the show was attempting to go for a washed out look with bad reddy transfers, mission accomplished.  This picture transfer, though shot in digital High Definition, does not do the format justice; often times the show’s picture quality seeming unintentionally grainy.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound was ok, but was nothing impressive.  For those that viewed series one’s extras and were disappointed, nothing has changed for series two, simply being a set of stills and cast filmographies. 

 

For anyone who enjoyed Series 1 of The Last Detective you will most likely enjoy Series 2.  However, for new comers to this series, this viewer would say skip this title and move on.  The improvements which should have happened between Series 1 and Series 2 were never accomplished.  As far as this series is concerned I say, case closed!

 

 

-   Michael P Dougherty II