310. Web-series Reviews – 142

More web-series reviews…

Bosch:Legacy – 2nd season came in 2023.  Bosch is now making a living as a private investigator two years after he quit the LAPD and finds himself working with one time enemy and top-notch attorney Honey "Money" Chandler. Meanwhile, Bosch's daughter Maddie is venturing into the world of the LAPD.

A review from IMDB...

I had started watching Bosch being somewhat doubtful about how deep I would be going, but soon I was pleasantly surprised. By the end of last season of Bosch had turn into a big fan and the show became one of my favourites. I was still skeptical about how much I would be enjoying Bosch: Legacy and once again I was pleasantly surprised. Just like the intro music, the show grows on you with progressing episodes.

It's still a Bosch show despite it appearing as if Maddie takes the lead and Bosch takes a back seat. Bosch is still the lead and he still does what he did being a cop. Now being a private investigator has it's challenges and has it's benefits too. The development of Maddie's character with her being a rookie cop is done well. Her relationship with his ex-cop father is also explored with nuances.

Few characters from the original show appear from time to time and it's always nice to see. The new character of Mo is likeable.

The usual pattern of addressing multiple subplots is also followed here and I never disliked it. Story is still engaging with few wow moments in second two. I found season two be better than season one and it's a great sign. Just like the original show, this one is underrated but hopefully we'll get more of Bosch in the future.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Murder in Provence – Came out in 2022. Antoine Verlaque, Investigating Judge in Aix-en-Provence with his romantic partner Marine Bonnet, investigates the murders, mysteries and dark underbelly of their idyllic home in the south of France.

A review from IMDB...

A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and....murder!

Roger Allam! Nancy Carroll! Patricia Hodge! I'm there. This mystery series about the dark, seething underbelly of.... Aix-en-Provence(!?), falls on that narrow line between angst-ridden detective series (see Inspector Morse) and not-to-be-taken-too-seriously "cozy" murder mysteries (see Midsomer Murders). I think the balance is just right. Allam plays an investigating judge (as per the inquisitorial judicial system of France) and Carroll plays a forensic psychologist who is also Allam's romantic partner. The two have nice chemistry and give off the vibe of a long-together couple. Hodge plays Carroll's opinionated, sarcastic mother who pops in from time to time. Keala Settle does well as the gruff but good-natured cop who works with Allam. Based on the first few episodes, the mystery plots are twisty and thematic (racism, misogyny etc are touched upon) , the scenery is gorgeous, and the wine is incredibly beautiful (and frequently consumed). My only criticism of this series is that Carroll is not given a bit more to do. Right now, she just kind of follows Allam around and acts as his sounding board.

Overall, very enjoyable!

My Take – Nice series!

 

The Sixth Commandment – Came out in 2023.  4 episodes in total.  Follows the deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin in the village of Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire, and the extraordinary events that unfolded in the following years.

A review from IMDB...

Superb performances writing and direction

I first saw this fine series a few months ago and remember being so impressed by the quality of the script which was written by Sarah Phelps who also wrote the wonderful series A Very British Scandal and Dublin Murders plus adaptations of various Agatha Christie novels.

The Sixth Commandment is a four-part British true-life crime drama, written by Sarah Phelps and directed by Saul Dibb. Based on the murders of Peter Farquhar and attempted murder of Ann Moore-Martin a retired Head Mistress.

In 2015 two murders occur in the village of Maids Moreton,Buckinghamshire the murder victim Peter Farquhar is an esteemed academic who is brilliantly played by Timothy Spall in yet another fine characterisation to add to his impressive achievements on screen.

The other attempted murder victim Anne Moore -Martin is equally brilliantly played by another favourite of mine Anne Reid both characters are lonely and elderly and both are easy prey for the charismatic con man Ben Field a 28 year old trainee clergyman .

Éanna Hardwicke gives a great performance as a charismatic Ben Field the manipulative and calculating criminal who convinces a closeted elderly gay retired university lecturer who has never experienced a loving same sex relationship to allow him to become his companion eventually convincing him to alter his will in his favour.

After Peter Farquhar dies in mysterious circumstances that at first appear to be natural causes the charismatic Ben turns his attentions to a neighbouring widow Ann Moore-Martin who's only companionship is her devoted niece Annabelle and her beloved dog Rosie.

The Sixth Commandment is a study in the power of faith, loneliness and the endless vulnerability of the elderly who no matter how intelligent can fall prey to obsessive flattery and manipulative criminal minds.

In Peter Farquhar's case he was easy pickings especially because of his faith and temperament he barely ever acted on his homosexual impulses. . "Even my deviance is pathetic," he tells his priest and counsellor.

The Sixth Commandment is superbly directed by Saul Dibb who has directed many fine television dramas one an all time favourite of mine The Line of Beauty 2006 plus Dublin Murders, The Salisbury Poisonings and The Duchess.

I'd love to see Sarah Dibb and Sarah Dibb get together when the dust settles and more is revealed on a current true life Australian mystery drama involving a couple of deadly mushroom fatalities,it's a most intriguing story.

My Take – Worth a watch!

Cheers till next time😊!!