Scott & Bailey (2011-2016)

[Drunk Monk]

5 seasons, 33 eps. We binged the first season and just cracked the first ep of S2. 

This is a female-driven BBC police procedural. The leads are all female as is the writer. It's a refreshing change. The characters are well developed and the whole attitude of the show has this brilliant perspective. The detectives and Chief Inspector are all middle-aged women and while each are striking, it doesn't pander to their sexiness like pretty much every other cop show female character. That's not to say that they don't have sex - their soap opera drama takes precedence. 

Another interesting aspect is that these aren't really mysteries. We know the perp early on and it's more about the process of nailing them while all that soap opera drama is going on. There was one major mcguffin for the larger story arc across s1 and Stacy called it out early in the ep when the reveal took place. Once I realized she was right, I called out how it might end and was fairly close. 

The crimes are brutally harsh however it's mostly described, not show. We get glimpses of bodies but not so graphic as in some procedurals nowadays. There's not much action. So far, only two chase scenes and one fight in 7 eps. It's more about the dynamics of the characters. 

I love this Chief Inspector. She's really good - acerbic, sharp, and witty. 

Not a BritBoxer. We let go of that. It just came up on my Amazon recs. Sometimes those bots get me.

[cranefly]

Hmmm.  Not certain I'll go here. Just so much damned stuff to choose from.  But nice to see all 5 seasons available as DVD sets from the MV library.

[Drunk Monk]

Yeah, it's not really something I'd recommend for this lot. Obvs Stacy & I love our Brit cops. Stacy enjoys mysteries, UK locals, and the generally classiness of BBC programming over, well, stuff like the CW. I luv Brit shows too, and when it comes to police procedurals, it reminds me of Monty Python. In fact, in somewhere in S1 one of the coppers said during a bust "What's all this then?" and I couldn't help but flash back to Graham Chapman's brilliant cop sketches. 


For you cf, you need to take a handful of oxycontin and watch this: http://www.brotherhoodofdoom.com/doomFor...p?tid=6273. Srsly. You'll feel better for it (or at the very least, it'll make for a purgative review).

[Drunk Monk]

2 or 3 more eps to go for s2. Still enjoyable but getting more soap opera and more harsh. They get great perps - really messed up looking people who deliver some remarkable performances. 

Also there’s a Downton factor of 1 - Mosley in a very different role.

I learned two new Brit slangs - druggie squat & shag bandit.

[Drunk Monk]

Well into s3 now or maybe 4. Stacy binged a bit while I wuz at me mum’s but it dinna feel worth going back for. The show has gone downhill. The crimes have got more grisly. Not as much outdoor scenery. Rach has become quite the hot mess. Janet struggles with their relationship. The chief is still cool tho.

Still engaging but less so. The writers are clearly gassing out.

[Drunk Monk]

S3 came around well in the end. The dynamics between the three lead women was on point. The finale play made for good closure to the season. It was a remarkable recovery. After a meh start, the writing came around.

This show is all about interrogation. Those are the scenes that shine - sharp dialog and finely tuned performances.

Got a little into s4. Feels back on track.

[Drunk Monk]

Finished s4. The razor sharp dialog is back on track and the cast’s chemistry and complications are combustable. Satisfying. Sad to see the chief retire (the actress was also the writer for most of this season). 

Watched s5e1 - fast forward to a year later and it quickly comes into gear, even with the loss of several supporting characters and the addition of one new one. This season has only 3 eps so we’ll finish soon.

[Drunk Monk]

Well that’s done. The final 3 eps had some major changes in tone and style. It was anticlimactic. It just sort of ends. One major case spans the finale season and it’s solved abruptly with a fight scene, which is very unusual for this show. It’s mostly about interrogation, not action. 

It was a good ride tho. Loved the characters and the dialog. Sad to see it end, even if that was years ago.