Hetty Wainthropp Investigates – The Complete Second Series

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-     Extras: C-     Episodes: B-

 

 

Patricia Rutledge continues her winning ways as Hetty Wainthropp Investigates in The Complete Second Series, with six more hour-long slotted shows continuing the adventures of the not so reluctant detective.  The episodes this time are:

 

1)     Poison Pen

2)     Lost Chords

3)     Not All There (Runaways)

4)     The Astral Plane

5)     A Rose By Any Other Name

6)     Woman Of The Year

 

 

Dominic Monaghan is also back as her assistant, making this a curio thanks to his work in Lost and Lord Of The Rings.  The actual mystery tales continue to be decent, if typical, but they are also comic and well cast.  Again, two more shows not shown on PBS’ Mystery! Series appear here.  Why PBS did not buy all six shows per season or were not offered all six is odd, but this box again has content U.S. fans have not yet experienced.  They should start with the first set, while mystery fans should start with the pilot telefilm, both reviewed elsewhere on this site.

 

Ian Punter took over the camerawork on these the episodes in the 1.33 X 1 ratio, consistent with the quality of the episode form the first set.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo once again has Pro Logic surround in all cases with Nigel Hess continuing the music scoring.  Extras include production notes and filmographies on DVD 1, but that is sadly all.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo