|
Detective
Inspector Vivien Friend and Detective Constable Rosie McManus
head up the Murder Investigation Team. Each episode begins
with the discovery of a body and follows the investigation
as it unfolds, with every shred of evidence explored and no
stone left unturned as the team put murder under the microscope...
Murder
Investigation Team follows the UK's case cracking Metropolitan
Police - Elite Special Crimes Unit. I was a little surprised
when this review copy landed on my desk with a press release
informing me that it was due to be released on 11 July 2005.
This is the exact same box set that I originally reviewed
back in October of 2004, but was delayed to coincide with
the TV broadcasts of the show's second series.
The
series, which is a spin-off from The Bill, gets
off to an impressive start and this three disc DVD collection
contains all seven episodes from the shows first series.
Moving
Targets sees sergeant Matt Boyden (who The Bill
fans will instantly recognise) and another man both murdered
in a drive-by shooting. The police are try to piece together
who was the intended target, and who was killed because they
were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The
second episode, Daddy's Little Girl, sees the team
investigating the murder of a woman whose remains have been
found on a building site. There are two clues to her possible
identity - a mark on her hand and an operation scar.
For
the first few investigations I wasn't overly impressed with
Samantha Spiro's acting ability. She seemed very false and
I wasn't totally convinced that she had what it took to head
up a team as important as this. Thankfully, this is something
that gets better as the episodes progress. Also, as we get
to learn more about DI Friend's personal background, it becomes
apparent why the character is so arrogant. Lindsay Coulson's
acting, as DC Rosie McManus, is consistently good throughout
the series.
The
third episode, Rubbish, is ironically a little weaker
than the first two stories. This deals with an emotional subject
- the murder of a small child. A painstaking search reveals
that the heart has been removed from the boy's body - leading
the team to believe that this may be an African ritualistic
killing. Partly based on a real event, this story is a little
slow and drawn out.
Similarly
the fourth episode, Reading, Writing, and Gangbanging,
is not as strong as the first two episodes. This sees the
Murder Investigation Team called out to a bizarre double murder
on a council housing estate. The first is a middle-aged teacher
who has fallen from a third floor window, and the second is
that of an old homeless man who is found drowned. The two
crimes appear unrelated, but on closer inspection they have
a common thread.
The
fifth episode, Red Heads, opens with the discovery
of a body of red-haired housewife. Why has the body been cleaned,
inside and out, with bleach? This episode uses some solid
forensics and the explanation to tests is extremely thorough.
Lambs
to the Slaughter starts with the murder of a pedophile.
It looks like the work of vigilantes, until they track down
an associate of the dead man. On further investigation the
team discover pictures of this associates wife with the pedophile.
This is a passable episode, but a little dull in comparison
to other episodes here.
Models
and Millionaires sees the murder of a model who is married
to a rich property developer - when her mutilated body is
washed ashore it becomes obvious that her life is far from
the idilic image that one would have thought. This
is an interesting episode which keeps the viewer guessing
until the final moments. Gary Kemp makes an appearance in
this episode - and is convincing in his role.
The
Bigger the Lie opens when the body of a journalist is
found dead in
the Bangladeshi Community. This is an excellent episode with
which to close the first series.
Extras
on this collection are very limited, with just an audio commentary
and an interview with Michael McKell.
All
in all the first series is extremely enjoyable. Anyone who
enjoys crime investigation and police series' should pick
this up.
Heather
Simpson
Buy
this item online
We
compare prices online so you get the cheapest
deal!
Click on the logo of the desired store below
to purchase this item.
|
|
|
£14.99
(Amazon.co.uk) |
| |
|
|
|
£14.99
(Blahdvd.com) |
| |
|
|
|
£14.99
(Moviemail-online.co.uk) |
All prices correct at time of going to press.
|
|
