Off for the summer

With a few short reviews

I’m off for the summer. May give the detective mysteries a rest as I recently have gotten into the emergency room. Started with the excellent The Pitt (on HBO/MAX) which led me into the 331 episodes of ER (also available on MAX). I never watched ER when it ran 1994-2009. Now, in my mid-70s, I find medical dramas quite educational.

But before disappearing until Fall, a few quick reviews. Two are BBC mysteries produced in both Welsh and English versions. Both star one of my favorite actors, Richard Harrington (who also appeared in an episode of New Tricks). In both Hinterland (2013-16) and The One That Got Away (2025) Harrington plays the detective in both the Welsh and English versions of the series. (Some scenes filmed twice with differing actors depending on language.) In Hinterland, Harrington played moody DCI Tom Mathias dealing with crimes in the picturesque but “dark underbelly of rural Wales.” I’d give this series a Five rating. It’s one of my all-time favorites.

In The One That Got Away, Harrington teams up with Elen Rhys (from The Mallorca Files, which I have not yet reviewed). They play detectives in a Welsh seaside town trying to catch a serial killer. I found this one less satisfying. I didn’t think the show needed the backstory on the relationship between the two and the plot seemed somewhat derivative. But the ending kinda redeemed it and I still enjoyed Harrington’s performance. Would give it a Three Plus. You can see both shows on Acorn TV. (There’s a third series done in both Welsh and English that I have not watched, Hidden.)

Meanwhile three longtime favorites have come back with new seasons. Father Brown (on PBS) and Shetland (on Britbox). I originally gave Father Brown a 3+ but the recent seasons have more heft to them. The crimes are less fluffy and Father Brown both more serious and Catholic. John Light returns as Hercule Flambeau to continue his evolving relationship with the Father and morality. I’d give Father Brown a Four Minus now. Grantchester is also back for a tenth season. I’ve not watched it yet but probably will as it provides a chance to catch more of Robson Green and the new vicar, who is not as annoying as the last.

Shetland is in its second season with the new lead detective. While I still kinda miss Douglas Henshall as DI Jimmy Perez, the female DI duo of version does the job well. They have an easy way of working together – no male egos involved – that is a pleasure to watch. Still a Five.

Finally, before signing off, the first five season of Foyles War are available on PBS Passport. If you haven’t seen this excellent series set in WWII England – or watched a long time ago – it should not be missed.