Reviews

Watched this episode as soon as it was available, and what a great episode. As with all TBM episodes, the murder is the core mystery to be solved, but this episode has other things going on that make it a bit different. The bank robbery adds a different episodes and despite working out whodunit earlier that usual, it is still one of the best so far.

I was, and still am, sad to see the departure of DC Breen, DC Chalmers seems to be a great replacement. Brings the same understated humour and comedic timing to the role, whilst not being a clone of Breen. I like the underlying themes that continue, Kristen's lack of coffee making skills, Trudy's character traits, Frodos oddities and Mrs. Marlowe's appearances, I would love to see the return of Jared, Neil Bloom and others, and where is Hughes?

I see that the writers credited for this are Tim Balme and Nic Sampson so good to see Breen's input lingers.

Back in 1974 my father encouraged me to stay up late and watch this mini series, which initially I hated. As I watched I became engrossed in this real life soap opera, that eventually caused more death through two world wars than any Hollywood fiction could. It is a superb recreation of the period 1880-1917, full of atmosphere and a great history lesson. Nowadays this would be considered a factional series as it is all based on fact but with extensive supposition, however it is all believable. The cast is extensive and full of well known actors in their early years. The subject is large and the BBC did well to make everything understandable using realistic sets, but no grandiose outdoor scenes that would been ineffective. For example, Archduke Ferdinand's assassination is referred to rather than portrayed, as the procession would have been too expensive to do realistically.

I long to rewatch this, so I hope a video or DVD will be reissued, if only for schools to use as a history lesson.