The Aussies have always had great success in water sports. In this one members of a high level crew duo are racing. After the race, one of the victors is tossed into the water (a tradition), but he suddenly floats to the surface, dead. Since Blake seems to be very unpopular in the town, He is constantly under the gun to perform. The tyrannical father of the young victim wants an answer immediately. What transpires is a complicated look at drugs, revenge, persecution, and pain. The good doctor has a serious deadline which seems really unfair under the circumstances. We get a bigger picture of Charlie whose mission was to bring Blake down. He has moved into Blake's house and is slowly being embraced, even though he seems the enemy at times.
4 Reviews
To an Athlete murdered young
pensman26 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
A young sculler from a two man boat wins the race that will make him eligible for an Olympic seat; but almost immediately after victory he dies. During the after race celebration, his girlfriend offers him a drink but after a taste he comments on the color of the liquid. But he and his co racer are tossed in the lake by his mates but only his friend returns to the surface. It takes a bit too long for his body to rise to surface. He is dead but is it accident or murder? Dr. Blake believes it's murder but there are too many suspects: the girlfriend he was cheating on, his mate who hated him, the girl he was blackmailing, his opponents who were jealous of him, his brother who couldn't keep up with him, or the father who kept pushing him beyond his ability. Then there is the discovery he was doping to improve his abilities. And of course his investigation is being thwarted by Chief Supt William Munro. An episode that will test your ability to figure out the guilty party.
Race to death
TheLittleSongbird22 April 2018
'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' may not quite be among my favourite shows of all time, but it's a riveting series that keeps getting better and one of the better detective drama shows in recent years. It is always fascinating to see a mystery series from outside England and America, and 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' is one of the better examples.
Unfortunately, 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' tends to be buried within daytime television scheduling, both on the BBC when first getting into it three or so years ago and on not as much watched channel (i.e. Alibi). It also tends to be aired at a time where most people will be at school or work, for me it was during sporadic periods when not needing to go into music college. The series deserves much better than that when it has consistently been one of the better shows to be aired in the early afternoon.
"King of the Lake" is a great start to Season 3. My only real complaint really is that there are to me a few too many suspects. The supporting characters do maintain a lot of intrigue and that Charlie has a bigger role to usual and is more interesting than he was usually in earlier appearances was appreciated.
By now, 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' felt like it had found its feet and had established things well by this point. Relationships and characters continue to deepen, the mysteries are even twistier and the pace has more lustre.
Like the rest of 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries', "King of the Lake" is exceptionally well made. The post-war period is beautifully evoked in the sumptuous but also atmospheric settings and scenery and charming costumes and period detail. It is beautifully shot and atmospherically lit, the dark grey-ish tinge being very appropriate and adding much to the overall feel of the episode. It is scored sensitively and the haunting theme tune gets embedded in the brain, while the direction is suitably restrained.
Writing continues to be very good with the tone established very well. There is great thought-provoking dialogue that always makes the mystery elements interesting but the atmosphere doesn't ever feel too grim. The story is riveting, suspensefully written and you care about having it solved. The solution is not obvious nor is it too complicated, very neat without being too pat. The characters are well written and more than just stereotypes, Lucien Blake still has it in how fascinating a character he is.
Craig McLachlan is superb in the role as well, quite possibly his best role and certainly the best acting he's ever done. He seemed an unlikely choice at first, but the character suits him perfectly. All the acting is very good actually, and seldom if ever any less. The relationships between the characters are well worth investing in.
Overall, simply great as hoped being a fan of the series. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Unfortunately, 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' tends to be buried within daytime television scheduling, both on the BBC when first getting into it three or so years ago and on not as much watched channel (i.e. Alibi). It also tends to be aired at a time where most people will be at school or work, for me it was during sporadic periods when not needing to go into music college. The series deserves much better than that when it has consistently been one of the better shows to be aired in the early afternoon.
"King of the Lake" is a great start to Season 3. My only real complaint really is that there are to me a few too many suspects. The supporting characters do maintain a lot of intrigue and that Charlie has a bigger role to usual and is more interesting than he was usually in earlier appearances was appreciated.
By now, 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' felt like it had found its feet and had established things well by this point. Relationships and characters continue to deepen, the mysteries are even twistier and the pace has more lustre.
Like the rest of 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries', "King of the Lake" is exceptionally well made. The post-war period is beautifully evoked in the sumptuous but also atmospheric settings and scenery and charming costumes and period detail. It is beautifully shot and atmospherically lit, the dark grey-ish tinge being very appropriate and adding much to the overall feel of the episode. It is scored sensitively and the haunting theme tune gets embedded in the brain, while the direction is suitably restrained.
Writing continues to be very good with the tone established very well. There is great thought-provoking dialogue that always makes the mystery elements interesting but the atmosphere doesn't ever feel too grim. The story is riveting, suspensefully written and you care about having it solved. The solution is not obvious nor is it too complicated, very neat without being too pat. The characters are well written and more than just stereotypes, Lucien Blake still has it in how fascinating a character he is.
Craig McLachlan is superb in the role as well, quite possibly his best role and certainly the best acting he's ever done. He seemed an unlikely choice at first, but the character suits him perfectly. All the acting is very good actually, and seldom if ever any less. The relationships between the characters are well worth investing in.
Overall, simply great as hoped being a fan of the series. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Tedious & Depressing
Johnny_West8 May 2023
Dr. Blake's first love is the mother of the kid who got killed. So Blake spends 50 minutes trying to take every positive illusion that she had of her son away from her. He talks to her as her old boyfriend, but on several occasions confronts her with the fact that nobody liked her son, he was thought of as a cheater, and he died due to anabolic steroids that were probably administered by the father (her husband).
He could have put his findings into the ME report, and did not have to degrade, humiliate, and destroy the mother of the deceased. The only consideration seemed to be that Blake wanted to show he was right, and he needs to be that guy who is always right. Very sad, shallow, and arrogant character.
The new Superintendent is constantly telling Blake to follow the rules, and yet Blake goes out of his way to challenge every rule. I like the show, but Blake is often irresponsible in the way he investigates situations. Additionally, as the Superintendent points out, Blake should be working for the Police, and they are the ones that should be investigating.
Blake seems to be based on the 1970s TV series Quincy, about the rogue coroner who was always investigating murders and turning in his reports late, and antagonizing everyone. I enjoy the show, but I wish Blake did not try so hard to offend everyone, especially the families and loved ones of the deceased.
He could have put his findings into the ME report, and did not have to degrade, humiliate, and destroy the mother of the deceased. The only consideration seemed to be that Blake wanted to show he was right, and he needs to be that guy who is always right. Very sad, shallow, and arrogant character.
The new Superintendent is constantly telling Blake to follow the rules, and yet Blake goes out of his way to challenge every rule. I like the show, but Blake is often irresponsible in the way he investigates situations. Additionally, as the Superintendent points out, Blake should be working for the Police, and they are the ones that should be investigating.
Blake seems to be based on the 1970s TV series Quincy, about the rogue coroner who was always investigating murders and turning in his reports late, and antagonizing everyone. I enjoy the show, but I wish Blake did not try so hard to offend everyone, especially the families and loved ones of the deceased.
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