Masterpiece Theater

[Drunk Monk]

Grantchester s9

2 eps in and we bid a tearful goodbye to vicar William. Alas. He’s the 2nd vicar and Stacy liked him less than the original one (he’s such a snowflake posing as a pretty boy biker) but he had a good run. 

The new guy is Indian which probably means the show will tackle race some more. It’s an incredibly inclusive show, not ST: Disco inclusive but as close as it gets for masterpiece. The graceful way that it took on Leonard’s homosexuality has been solid storytelling. And the portrayal of Miss Scott, who has one arm, has been spot on - they’ve never addressed it, no backstory, nothing, she’s just like everyone else (although the latest twist with her banging the milk toast Larry feels off so far). 

This show continues to amuse - my masterpiece comfort murder mysteries.

[Drunk Monk]

I like the new guy. He’s swarthy.

[Drunk Monk]

Second ep with Alphy and I'm down with the new guy. As predicted, he brings out racial issues. More so, his chemistry with Geordie works well. His solves are a bit of a stretch, but such is the nature of this show. However, I may be alone in my opinion here. 

I predicted the murderer early on, mostly because she was the least likely, but I didn't say it out loud because there's no one hear but Yuki and he don't care.

[Drunk Monk]

Again, predicted the murder right out of the gates. Just look to the least likely one. But this show isn't so much about the murder of the week as it is about the character development and progression. 

The was the women's ep. It was about all the hardworking unseen women characters. A good ep. Heartfelt. Well played.

[Drunk Monk]

Finished s9 yesterday. It was ok. The season finale brought together clues spread throughout the season that culminated in a shootout finale (guns are seldom drawn in Grantchester). In the end, all is well again and we’re ready for s10 whenever they get around to it.

[Drunk Monk]

D.i. Ray
S1 is 4 45 min eps. Stacy got me started and I got totally hooked and binged the whole season in one night, but in all fairness, that’s only 3 hours, like a Bollywood flick. Rachita Ray is a stubborn loner detective, first hired as a token POC, but things get complicated quickly. Beyond the typical Brit police procedural, this show takes on racial profiling with an astute keen eye. And the end of ep cliffhangers are addictive. I guessed the perp by applying the least likely principle, but I didn’t guess the motive even though it was an obvious cliche.

I wasn’t going to engage s2 but Stacy started it over dinner (she’s seen it already) and while not as strong as s1 so far, it also drew me in. I was got 3 deep and was going for the 4th but then discovered it was a 6 ep season so I bailed. I’ll have to come back for it upon my return from China. Might have to start over because China might overshadow my masterpiece memory…

[Drunk Monk]

Moonflower Murders

The sequel series to the Magpie Murders. Same recipe. A former book publisher gets drawn into a murder mystery connected with a book from one of her dead authors. It’s got that publishing/writing angle which I like even though it’s nothing like the publishing/writing world. It moves between the present murder and the book murder with actors in dual roles which gets a bit confusing, but that’s only when I’m not paying attention. 

2 eps deep. 4 to go. Amusing.

[Drunk Monk]

2 more eps down and I’m tracking this better now that I know what to watch for. There’s 3 concurrent tales - the present missing person mystery, the previous murder 8 years prior, and the murder in the book based on the previous murder. Most of the players have 3 roles, one in each scenario. It’s clever writing in that Masterpiece way. I haven’t a clue whodunnit yet.

[Drunk Monk]

And we’re done.

I was leaning towards the murderer in the book story arc just using the least likely rule of police procedurals, but I didnt voice it so it doesn’t count.

I missed the murderer in the present arc completely,

All in all, a fun sequel series that was on par with the original.

This marks the end of the Susan Ryeland books but another is on the way for 2025 and a threequel series can’t be far behind.

[Drunk Monk]

The Marlow Murder Club

Binged it all in one go - only 4 45min eps (less than a Bollywood movie). 

An ex-archeologist who lives in a grand mansion, a vicar’s wife and a Jamaican dog walker join together to solve murders. The archeologist is Miss Moneypenny (Piers years). The SIO’s husband is the vicar from the most recent season of Grantchester. My fav was the dog walker because she’s always using her butt pack of dog gear on the case - poo bags for evidence gathering, a retractable leash as a grappling hook (that so wouldnt work but it was funny). She needs her own show. 

It’s charming in that Brit way, as all Masterpiece police procedurals are. Very female strong (passes the Bechtel with flying colors).  

I totally guessed wrong but applying the least likely principle too early in the show. Kinda have a hankering for tinned sweets, cucumber sandwiches and tea now.

[Drunk Monk]

All Creatures Great and Small s5 done. This show is so pleasant. Lovely Darrowby, nice characters and always happy endings. The problems are never too great - oh dear, a cow is sick. And after some trial and error it is healed. The war continues and James & Tris both serve but as instructors, not on the front. James has some ptsd because his students get injured & killed. The baby is super cute. Been watching this off and on whenever I need a pleasant escape.