Tag: PBS Masterpiece Mystery

Moonflower Murders–M is for Murder

Written by Diana Paul on November 11, 2024. Posted in Television reviews. No Comments on Moonflower Murders–M is for Murder

The PBS series Moonflower Murders, the eponymous mystery series by Anthony Horowitz, is the sequel to the PBS series, “Magpie Murders” (see my January 9, 2023 review). Susan Ryeland (Lesley Manville), book-editor-turned-sleuth, is known for having discovered and managed the Atticus Pund mystery series by the late Alan Conway (Conleth Hill of “Game of Thrones”). What now develops is another mystery-within-a-mystery, following the first PBS series. A murder in present day Suffolk, England parallels a fictional murder in the Atticus Pűnd (Tim McMullan) mystery...

“Guilt”–A Hit-and-Run

Written by Diana Paul on September 13, 2021. Posted in movie reviews, Television reviews. No Comments on “Guilt”–A Hit-and-Run

Guilt is a four-episode Masterpiece Theater mini-series, a darkly sinister and acerbic Scottish thriller about two Edinburgh brothers who leave a wedding drunk and eager to get home. We see the elegant lawyer Max (Mark Bonnar of “Shetland”) and his ne’er-do-well younger brother Jake hit an elderly man who steps in front of Max’s car. Jake (Jamie Sives) is driving because Max thinks his brother is less inebriated than he is. Jake wants to report the accident to the police, but Max is concerned about his professional reputation so they agree to cover up...

“Van der Valk”– Going Dutch

Written by Diana Paul on October 5, 2020. Posted in Television reviews. 2 Comments on “Van der Valk”– Going Dutch

This quirky three-episode police procedural on Masterpiece Theater follows a sullen, street-smart Dutch detective, Piet Van der Valk (Marc Warner), who navigates the seedier side of lively Amsterdam. Each two-hour episode of Van der Valk involves a distinct crime that can be watched on its own. Solving convoluted crimes using astute human observation and inspired detection, Van der Valk is successful, in part, due to the support of Inspector Lucienne Hassell (Maimie McCoy) and rookie Officer Job Cloovers...

“Unforgotten”–The Power to Recall

Written by diana on June 11, 2018. Posted in Television reviews. 4 Comments on “Unforgotten”–The Power to Recall

This British crime drama (PBS Masterpiece Mystery), comprised of three episodes in two seasons, focuses on one stone-cold case per season. Each involves a murder at least three decades old. The detective team– Cassie Stuart (the wonderful Nicola Walker of “Last Tango in Halifax” and Sunny Khan (the perfectly cast Sanjeev Bhaskar of “Indian Summers”)–solve each cold case in a delicate balancing of tension with hints of romance. In Season 1 of Unforgotten the detectives discover the 1976 remains of a teenage boy found in the sub-basement of an apartment...

“The Escape Artist”–Thrilling Escapism

Written by diana on June 29, 2014. Posted in Television reviews. 5 Comments on “The Escape Artist”–Thrilling Escapism

In this two-part mini-series aired on PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery Theater over the past two weeks, Will Burton (David Tennant of “Broadchurch”, “Dr. Who”, and “Harry Potter” fame) is London’s top-ranked criminal defense barrister. Maggie Gardner (Sophie Okonedo, 2014 Tony-award winner for “A Raisin in the Sun”), is equally brilliant but number two in trial victories. Both Will Burton and Maggie Gardner are at the top of their game, two intellects who are perfectly matched and relentlessly ambitious. Burton believes “everyone deserves...