It's a shame they had to pause for five years after the first series went out. In many ways the first series is the best and I return to it a lot, but the others not so often. Series one is also closest to the feel of the books. Had they carried on straight away the series would have run 1985-1990 and I think it would have been better. When it finally returned in the nineties it was different - more polished and set for a tea time family audience, rather than a 9pm one. I don't recall the first series when it came out, (like me I suspect most people got into Lovejoy when it came back), but I'm glad I've seen it now. This is still a great series with great characters and there are some gems in the later ones, but the feel of East Anglia in the early episodes was magic. His rented farm house was better and the music and muted colours of the time are pure nostalgia. Gimbert was also used better in the early episodes. A great show though and Ian McShane shows his skills as an actor and makes the role his own. He has great support. I wish they still made shows like this, but glad it exists all the same.
