Hetty Wainthropp Investigates – The Complete Third Series
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: C- Episodes: B-
Patricia Rutledge is back as Hetty Wainthropp
Investigates more murder in The Complete Third Series, one so
successful that you get nine (versus six) more hour-long slotted shows as the
series picked up. The episodes this
time are:
1) All
Stitched Up
2) Daughter
of The Regiment
3) Serving
The Community
4) Fisticuffs
5) Childsplay
6) Pursuit
by Proxy
7) A Minor
Operation
8) Helping
Hansi
9) How Time
Flies
As expected, the ABC series Lost came out on DVD in
its first season (reviewed elsewhere on this site) and was a huge hit, thanks
in part to Dominic Monaghan, who again plays Hetty’s assistant. That may inspire a fan of his to want to see
at least one of these shows. The
actual mystery tales continue to be decent, if typical, but they are also comic
and well cast. They should start with
the first set, while mystery fans should start with the pilot telefilm, both
reviewed elsewhere on this site.
However, if you want a box set, getting three more episodes with this
set is tempting, so one who has not seen this series needs to mull over the
decision well.
The 1.33 X 1 aspect ratio is consistent with the quality
of the episode from the first sets. The
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo once again has Pro Logic surround in all cases, so
playback quality and performance is comparable with those first boxes. Extras include production notes and
filmographies on DVD 1, but that again is sadly all. Monaghan is getting older and all the regulars have worked into
their roles very well. Hetty
Wainthropp Investigates is a fun, smart detective series that can only grow
in popularity.
- Nicholas Sheffo