If I hadn't promised to review all the episodes of DCI Banks, I would never, ever watch one shoddy episode after another.
I've just watched Season 3, episode 3 (they're combined in the US).
Just when I think it would be impossible for the writers and producers to sink further and further into the muck, they prove me wrong . . . repeatedly.
Ignorance can be cured by education, intelligence, and experience; however, when ignorance is willfully, eagerly, and warmly embraced, it devolves into stupidity. It's catching and its name is DCI Banks. The police, the bad guys, and the dim-witted bystanders infect one another with stupidity more rapidly than a nuclear chain reäction.
It is so, so, so very sad to see so much money pissed away by producers to churn out wooden dialog, adolescent angst possessing adults, implausible plots, unnecessary actions, and immature, even childish emotions.
I have to believe that SOMEONE in charge lost a HUGE bet and is now suffering the consequences.
Whatever you do, DON'T beg, borrow, or steal DVDs of this series and don't stream this series. If you do, it might convince other dim-witted producers that this is the stuff of which dreams are made. The DCI Banks series are not dreams come true; they are surreal nightmares that will cause you to lose faith in man's competence to tell spellbinding stories and to make art.
Avoid DCI Banks to preserve your sanity and to give yourself a chance to vet competent show business productions. They ARE out there, but they're getting as rare as hens' teeth.