Rosemary & Thyme Series One
Picture: B-
Sound: B- Extras: C Episodes: B-
Two middle-aged women are brought together by chance and
despite any problems they have, some deaths that turn out to be murders give
them a new reason to rally. Laura Thyme
(Pam Ferris) is a former policewoman who just found out what a rat her husband
is. Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendall
from Parting Shots, reviewed elsewhere on this site) has just lost her
job and wants to smash her former employer.
Together, they are Rosemary & Thyme (2003), one of the more
unlikely detective pairing of late.
This new Series One boxed set features the first 6
of what have been 14 episodes so far.
The inaugural episodes are as follows:
1) And No
Birds Sing The pilot case that brings the women together. Are some accidental deaths really accidents,
and who is that old lady with the butcher knife?
2) Arabica
& The Early Spider Murray Head guest stars in this tale of a horse
and a Pop music star.
3) The
Language Of Flowers A fancy party turns up a dead body and the
green-thumbed duo just happen to be doing a major overhaul of the spa where it
takes place. Coincidence? Theyre about to find out.
4) Sweet
Angelica A strange foreign student shoplifting incident leads to
disappearing people and possibly murder.
Good thing the school is having specialty landscaping done by you know
who.
5) A Simple
Plot Can the ladies help a blind professor hold on to his
property when murder creeps in and a very rich, wealthy adversary may need to
be dealt with.
6) The Tree
of Death An archery death on a tree stump has the damsels of
greenery investigating who planted the arrow.
This could have been plain old fuddy duddy television in
lesser hands, but this is more plausible, yet entertaining work that deserves a
wider audience. The show began with a
strong idea, then managed to develop into a good detective show with a bit more
subtle comedy than you would usually find in the genre. Producer Brian Eastman scored the first ace
in his casting of the leads early on before the show knew what direction it was
going in. It is smart in the way it
deals with the lives of the leads and never degenerates into Scarecrow &
Mrs. King. Rosemary & Thyme
is worth your time, even when some of the mysteries run into minor problems.
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1/16 X 9 image is nice
and clean, a top-rate presentation in line with the best digital HD-intended TV
productions that are thankfully on the increase. Cinematographer Paul Englefield gives the show a nice, clear,
vivid look that makes the show fun and involving. An extra point for knowing how to shoot plants. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has nice Pro
Logic surrounds and the combination makes the show a fine watch on DVD. The theme song is performed by John
Williams, with general music performed by Christopher Gunning. All the extras are on DVD 1 and include a
Ferris/Kendal interview taped 3/12/03 and running 7:54, a stills section, cast
biography text and text notes. That
should be enough until Acorn Media issues the next set.
- Nicholas Sheffo
