Is the Last Detective just that… the Last Detective?
If you are looking for a mystery series to watch that has heart— then try The Last Detective. We found this series quite by chance, and we are absolutely delighted that we did. It is based on the novels written by Leslie Thomas.
The series stars Peter Davison (from All Creatures Great and Small and the Campion series) as the “Last Detective.” I am not going to ruin it by telling you why he is called this, but there actually is a reason for the title of the series.
Davison’s portrayal of “Dangerous” Davies is brilliant. He actually looks the part of a middle-aged policeman in a dead-end job. (He’s quite unlike the beautiful, buff 28 year old actor they would cast over here in the U.S.A.!) Dangerous is someone we would actually trust if we were in a predicament which required us to interact with the police.
[On a huge aside— why is British television so much more believable than the fare we get over here?]
Dangerous has a… how would I describe him… crazy, kooky, out-there… side kick named Mod (after Tchaikovsky’s brother) who is delightfully played by Sean Hughes. Their (almost) philosophical conversations are… again, for the lack of another word…. believable.
In Season One (2003) we are introduced to the major players in the series. Dangerous, Mod, Dangerous’s boss, coworkers, and ex(?) wife… who has custody of their St. Bernard, which Dangerous is “allowed” to take on lengthy walks with Mod. Even Dangerous’s landlady is deliciously three-dimensional, although she does not have a lot of screen time.
The Last Detective’s Season Two (2004) continues with four more wonderful episodes. I am always very happy to find a series that is able to continuously deliver a great product. I just cannot say enough about Peter Davison’s excellent portrayal of Dangerous. Not only is Dangerous believable, but so are the plots.
As for Season Three, although we already own it, we are taking our time to watch the four episodes. We really don’t want to get to the point of not having anymore Dangerous Davies shows to watch!
The good news is that Season Four has already aired in Great Britain and the discs have just been released! (As for a Season Five… When I initially filed this review I had found something that said they were working on the fifth season. Of course, now I can’t find that information… so it could have just been a bit of speculation that I saw… Let’s keep hoping that they are working on the fifth season!)
This series focuses on character and plot. If you’re looking for a series that you can add to a list that would include Inspector Morse, Foyle’s War and Brother Cadfael—then this is a series you should definitely check out.
Although in the past, I have been dismayed as to why British television only makes a small number of episodes per season, I now understand why they prefer that system over ours. Our television shows put out an hour episode each week for the entire season (except of course, when they tirelessly repeat the shows), and the characters are interchangeable, two-dimensional. Why not put out four or six two-part shows that are truly worth watching!?!
Knock on wood >>>> If I am ever in a position in which I have to be questioned by the police>>>>> I hope I get a policeman just like Dangerous. I hope that Dangerous Davies is truly not The Last Detective.
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*****I wrote this review way back in 2007, but we still think it’s a terrific series. If you are a member of Netflix, they have the DVDs. Also, your library might just carry the DVDs. It truly is an exceptional British television mystery series. June 2014
Cindy says
Thank you for summing up exactly how I feel about this series. I loved Peter Davison in Campion back in the 1980’s, and was delighted to discover this series – we take our time watching them, too, as we have yet to order series 4, and I am hoping they are producing a series 5!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cindy,
I am working on my “Campion” entry now, and hopefully will be able to post it soon. Peter Davison is such a treat to watch, isn’t he? I will have to look around and see what they are doing about a fifth season…
Diane says
Do you know where youu can get Season four and did you find out if there were anymore Seasons made like 5 or 6? love this show….How many Foyles War were there??? And what about Midsommer Murders? Thanks
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Diane, I don’t believe there was a season five. I have a link on Season 4 (above), and also, have you checked E-Bay?
As for Midsomer Murders, they are still making those shows (without Barnaby), and here is a link to my entry about the show.
I believe they made 22 episodes of Foyle’s War.
Irene says
This is one of the most enjoyable tv shows that I have watched and Peter Davison and Sean Hughes are great together. In my opinion we do not have any show comparable to shows like this in the USA. Its great to not watch stupid stuff on tv.
Jill says
Thanks for the tip on “The Last Detective” series. I actually watched one episode and it didn’t quite appeal to me. But…it’s worth another try, based on the recommendations here.
I did (and do) very much enjoy the Campion series (part of my library) especially after I was finally able to comprehend what Lugg is saying! That accent sure is thick. I can understand why you initially didn’t like it–because it does have a campy feel to it. But, as you observed, the main character gains depth from the second episode forward. And, Davison is very charming and endearing in the title role. (He also put in a good performance in one of the Joan Hickson “Miss Marple” episodes, as Lance Fortescue in “A Pocketful of Rye”.) And, of course, he was wonderful in “All Creatures Great and Small”.
Andie says
I’m so happy that you mentioned this. I have watched all of the series available on Netflix and was hoping to see more. You are absolutely correct in that the characters and the plots are entirely believable and are not “cookie mold” repeats of the same tired subjects week after week.
It seems to me that the British productions have a “finished” appearance that is more sophisticated than those here in the U.S. (and on a much smaller budget) and there is much less of the overt violence that is seldom true to life.
I’m so glad that another season will be available soon. So many times I have gotten “into” a series only to have it cancelled, leaving me to forever wonder what happens with the characters, such as the Kingdom series with Stephen Fry.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Andie, I love The Last Detective television shows. I do have to wonder why the USA can’t produce shows like this. I am trying to think of the North American show most like it, and I just can’t come up with one. (Not because I wouldn’t know how to narrow it down to just one series, but because I can’t actually come up with one!)
PS>>> Now I can’t wait to watch “Kingdom”… I’ve enjoyed Stephen Fry since he was in the Jeeves & Wooster series with Hugh Laurie.
Anne says
I urge people to read the books. I read them all before I watched the t.v. series, which I found disappointing as they altered things, e.g. Mod is Welsh, he doesn’t “work” as a Scot, and the whole ethos of the books is rooted in the 70’s.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anne, thanks for the tip. I haven’t read any of Leslie Thomas’ Last Detective mysteries. I probably should though, since they look like they are a lot of fun.
Anne says
Yes, the first one is the best. Stick it on your ( I imagine long, long,” to read one day,” list, )
best wishes, Anne
Jennifer says
Great stuff and a great series!