Blue Murder – Set Two (Canadian TV/British TV/Acorn Media)

 

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

 

 

Now that it is a hit for four seasons and counting, less people who know international TV are less likely (if not totally) to be confused with Michael Jenkins’ Australian TV mini-series from 1995, this Blue Murder is a U.K./Canada co-production about a mother who becomes a detective as played by Caroline Quentin.  At this point, with her character Janice Lewis has become more embroiled with her police work and that is to the benefit of the show.

 

Once again, the show never becomes too melodramatic, is a smart show, has some comedy and actually becomes an improved show as the lead character is more developed.  Quentin also is getting a better feel for the role apparently, which helps, but the show set its confines the previous season and though it is easier to see why it is a hit, I was still not overwhelmingly impressed.  However, well see how much this improves by the next set.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is shot in HD and the tradedown holds its color, but detail is lost more than it should be.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo mix has Pro Logic surrounds and they are decent.  The mere text filmographies on the cast on the first set have been trumped by having on-camera interviews with Quentin and co-star Ian Kelsey.  Start with the first set if you are interested, but only expect so much.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo