Plot: What’s it about?
Detective Constable Davies (Peter Davison), also known as “Dangerous” Davies, isn’t the kind of man you’d expect to find on the police force. He doesn’t have that tough exterior or the cynical view of the world most officers have, he just does his work and that’s about it. So in other words, he isn’t ambitious or remarkable, though a recent incident that ended with him turning in a corrupt cop has him on everyone’s blacklist. When cases come in, he isn’t the first in line and when he is given one, he uses common sense to crack the case, not genius intellect or high tech gadgets. His personal life isn’t much better, as he is in the middle of a bitter divorce and he only has one friend. Even so, Davies will still push ahead and do the work in front of him and while not an elite level officer, he seems to be able to hold his own.
“Dangerous” Davies is back in the third series of the popular series The Last Detective, available in this two disc collection from Acorn Media. This third series houses four episodes, each about an hour in duration and for fans, is a chance to get quite a bit of value for their cash. I have to admit, I haven’t seen the first two installments of The Last Detective, so I am probably missing out on some of the longer story arcs and character development. But while it took some time to learn about everyone and pick up on their quirks, this was a show you can just pick up and enjoy. I am sure those who have seen previous episodes get more out of the show, but I wasn’t too lost jumping in with this third series. If you’re a fan of detective shows, The Last Detective has a lot to offer, so I highly recommend not only this release, but the entire series.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. This looks on par with other releases I’ve seen of recent British television shows, a little on the soft side, but solid. The softness isn’t extreme, but detail isn’t as sharp as I’d like at times. I found colors to be good for the most part, with just a few little hiccups in places. No trouble in terms of contrast, thanks to smooth and stark black levels. As I said before, this is a softer visual than we’re used to, so don’t expect a razor sharp image, but for what it is, the transfer is just fine
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio here is basic, thanks to the included stereo soundtracks, but all the bases seem to be covered. The nature of the series is one of a natural, subtle audio presence too, so its not like the material screams for dynamic presence. A few scenes could have been boosted a shade, but even then, the experience wouldn’t have been enhanced that much. The sound effects come across in fine form, with the same kind of audio presence you’d expect from a television show, though these days, some do provide a more immersive texture. No troubles with dialogue either, as vocals are clear and crisp throughout the episodes. Not the kind of audio to show off your system with, but I have no complaints about the results.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This release includes a biography on Leslie Thomas, as well as filmographies for prominent cast members.
