It isn't gritty, it is colourful. It ambles along in an engaging way, that pulls you through to the end. Clever plot, with interesting characters. A great antidote to all the dark gritty stuff that is on TV. A real delight to watch.
192 Reviews
Entertaining
haywire-960832 March 2020
fun ... with a touch of murder
hamlet-164 March 2020
What a nice bit light murder for a Sunday evening.
Bath looks beautiful (comparisons with Oxford are obvious). The music is jaunty. The script is passable. The acting fun. What is there not to like?
This is not great noir drama with seething passions and deep neuroses and set in deep dark greyness. We are in Midsomer not Morse territory.
I know people seem to have disliked this as too coy too old fashioned too conventional. But this is a genre pierce not cutting edge drama. A comfortable Sunday evening entertainment. A guilty pleasure perhaps.
And you know that I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Bath but now I really must get back to the library!
Bath looks beautiful (comparisons with Oxford are obvious). The music is jaunty. The script is passable. The acting fun. What is there not to like?
This is not great noir drama with seething passions and deep neuroses and set in deep dark greyness. We are in Midsomer not Morse territory.
I know people seem to have disliked this as too coy too old fashioned too conventional. But this is a genre pierce not cutting edge drama. A comfortable Sunday evening entertainment. A guilty pleasure perhaps.
And you know that I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Bath but now I really must get back to the library!
Breath of fresh air
jaj-197878 March 2020
Genius!
purple-mug2 March 2020
Anyone who thinks this inferior in any way clearly hasn't any grounding in the crime genre. It is pitch perfect comic detective fiction of which Christie, Allingham, or Sayers would have been rightly proud with just a dash of Columbo taking it to another level. Unsurprisingly so, given that Robert Murphy, the creator and writer, is steeped in the genre and can pull on so many threads to weave into his magic carpet.
The odd couple, tortoise and hare, relationship of the two leads is fertile ground for the twisty plot to flourish in. Yes, McDonald is annoying, but that's the whole point and it's not as if there is no clear reason for her to be so. To make this a criticism of the production is just bizarre as is the suggestion that Dodds could do a single-hander. It would lack all credibility for someone who has, for very obvious reasons, not left his desk for ten ... sorry, eleven ... years to suddenly become a solo lead detective. Without McDonald there is no Dodds.
This is definitely a partnership that has legs and it's to be hoped that ITV does not, as it is prone to do, pull the plug on the say so of the kind of witless trolls whose reviews bear no relation to reality.
The odd couple, tortoise and hare, relationship of the two leads is fertile ground for the twisty plot to flourish in. Yes, McDonald is annoying, but that's the whole point and it's not as if there is no clear reason for her to be so. To make this a criticism of the production is just bizarre as is the suggestion that Dodds could do a single-hander. It would lack all credibility for someone who has, for very obvious reasons, not left his desk for ten ... sorry, eleven ... years to suddenly become a solo lead detective. Without McDonald there is no Dodds.
This is definitely a partnership that has legs and it's to be hoped that ITV does not, as it is prone to do, pull the plug on the say so of the kind of witless trolls whose reviews bear no relation to reality.
Intense, clever and complicated
miaalike4 March 2021
The series is very intense, it brings together psychological elements, and an observational style which I imagine was part of the training and experience of top old school inspectors. It really stretches the mind of the viewer, in a good way. You feel you learn things. It feels like an intellectual experience, and it also has a sort of understated humour that makes it even more unique. The characters are complex, the whole thing is rounded, not schematic. Good piece of TV. Wonder if they will continue it at the same level, or at all.
For people who can still just WATCH TV
aarontjohnston8 March 2020
This show is a piece of enjoyment, it's comfort TV or as it's known "Fast-food Media". You can tell where the story is going in places but has some clever twists and doesn't miss a beat as it goes through its mystery.
Both of the characters are enjoyable and written appropriately, Dodds the old-fashioned, mature detective who's asking all the unasked questions. And Mcdonald who's the too-fast on her feet DCI who is impatient but impressed by her partners abilities. They make a wonderful pair that play off nicely against each other.
The story is compelling and smart with plenty of little funny bits in it and it plays perfectly off the different actors/actresses.
2 hours is a lot to invest itself in but it does fill a nice gap with a fully told out story, rather than in bits.
People are complaining and bombing the series with their reviews but are of the circles of people who can no longer just sit down and enjoy something, instead they must pick it apart.
The show is a hearty filler, harmless with good humour and great technicalities that'll keep you on your toes working out as you go. With some cliche moments but plenty to enjoy the series is off to a fine enjoyable start to wrap up the weekend.
Both of the characters are enjoyable and written appropriately, Dodds the old-fashioned, mature detective who's asking all the unasked questions. And Mcdonald who's the too-fast on her feet DCI who is impatient but impressed by her partners abilities. They make a wonderful pair that play off nicely against each other.
The story is compelling and smart with plenty of little funny bits in it and it plays perfectly off the different actors/actresses.
2 hours is a lot to invest itself in but it does fill a nice gap with a fully told out story, rather than in bits.
People are complaining and bombing the series with their reviews but are of the circles of people who can no longer just sit down and enjoy something, instead they must pick it apart.
The show is a hearty filler, harmless with good humour and great technicalities that'll keep you on your toes working out as you go. With some cliche moments but plenty to enjoy the series is off to a fine enjoyable start to wrap up the weekend.
Decent Sunday Fare
seymour_sp6 March 2020
It does make me chortle when people talk about theoretical BBC licence fee refunds on the basis of a single programme or series, as if entire corporations are supposed to cater to the tastes and prejudices of remarkably arrogant and entitled individuals. And for what it's worth, I barely noticed the so-called wokeness - because that's what modern Britain is actually like, and all the better for it.
As for the programme content: very pretty, and just about challenging enough - although, without giving anything specific away, I have to say that the denouement challenged credibility somewhat!
McDonald was shown to be human and vulnerable beneath that tough exterior, and Dodds was a brilliantly insightful detective who comes across superficially as a plodder, in the mould of Columbo as others have mentioned. Definitely worth a watch if you're not an intolerant, xenophobic, homophobic Little Englander who doesn't like having his or her prejudices challenged.
As for the programme content: very pretty, and just about challenging enough - although, without giving anything specific away, I have to say that the denouement challenged credibility somewhat!
McDonald was shown to be human and vulnerable beneath that tough exterior, and Dodds was a brilliantly insightful detective who comes across superficially as a plodder, in the mould of Columbo as others have mentioned. Definitely worth a watch if you're not an intolerant, xenophobic, homophobic Little Englander who doesn't like having his or her prejudices challenged.
Good castings and locations
tomatotomato20045 March 2020
An ambitious, strong DCI lead with a rather quiet and slow-thinking sergeant who is near retirement. Two different characters make a good duo.
Due to the lack of good quality crime script writers in Japan, this drama is much better than what we normaly see here.
Many of British murder and mystery tv series are well-made.
The landscapes of Bath had changed since I was living in UK from the 80's to 90's.
But still, the historical town looks so beautiful and inviting.
get rid of awful mcdonald character and lets enjoy dodds
davet-152751 March 2020
Spoilt by the McDonald character , she was annoying and awful , the plot was made in columbo style with good acting from Lindsay and Watkins , I thought Watkins dodds character was brilliant and should have the lead on his own.some terrible background scenes when filming in the car,background turning left and right and yet the steering wheel does not move.if it was up to me I would scrap this and let Watkins do his columbo style role.
Fun
angieb-555678 March 2020
What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday evening. Love the character Dodds a methodical police officer, McDonald a an officer who needs everything now and to progress her career. It is fun, good characters and good story
Seasons 1 & 2: 5-7/10, Season 3: 8/10
jimdbs8 July 2022
Season 3 is consistently quite enjoyable so far but the first 2 seasons are a bit rougher, varying by episode. Those using the overused "w" word in the other reviews are likely reacting to the first episode, which for some reason is quite over the top in that way but it's not like that in season 2 or 3.
The show seems to be aiming for somewhere between the more serious, dark mysteries and the very light hearted ones. Sometimes they go a bit too far with the latter to the point it doesn't seem realistic at all and also not really funny either but, again, varies by episode and seems less common in season 3.
Sometimes the main characters can be extreme in their quirks, it's particularly bad in the first season but they get better as the show goes on. For some reason, they made the chief character ridiculously mean and hostile towards the detectives. It seems like they tried to tone that down in season 2 but ended up replacing the character with a more likable, but still tough, new chief in season 3. Unfortunately, DC Darren (Jack Riddiford) doesn't seem to be in season 3. Hopefully he returns for season 4.
The mysteries are clever, sometimes too much in that there are amazing leaps made with details that weren't really provided. Not all are like that though. Often times there is quite a bit more going on that complicates their investigation and can lead them down the wrong paths, including Dodds who is very talented but does make mistakes.
The overall atmosphere of the show is nice, from the city, architecture, quality of the filming to the classical and ambient music, though occasionally there is some loud pop music added. I don't recall it in a season 3 episode so maybe they decided to stop doing that.
They need to get more clips of the outside of their office, they keep replaying the same clip with the 2 women walking towards it. Once you start noticing it's always the same, it's almost humorous.
The show seems to be aiming for somewhere between the more serious, dark mysteries and the very light hearted ones. Sometimes they go a bit too far with the latter to the point it doesn't seem realistic at all and also not really funny either but, again, varies by episode and seems less common in season 3.
Sometimes the main characters can be extreme in their quirks, it's particularly bad in the first season but they get better as the show goes on. For some reason, they made the chief character ridiculously mean and hostile towards the detectives. It seems like they tried to tone that down in season 2 but ended up replacing the character with a more likable, but still tough, new chief in season 3. Unfortunately, DC Darren (Jack Riddiford) doesn't seem to be in season 3. Hopefully he returns for season 4.
The mysteries are clever, sometimes too much in that there are amazing leaps made with details that weren't really provided. Not all are like that though. Often times there is quite a bit more going on that complicates their investigation and can lead them down the wrong paths, including Dodds who is very talented but does make mistakes.
The overall atmosphere of the show is nice, from the city, architecture, quality of the filming to the classical and ambient music, though occasionally there is some loud pop music added. I don't recall it in a season 3 episode so maybe they decided to stop doing that.
They need to get more clips of the outside of their office, they keep replaying the same clip with the 2 women walking towards it. Once you start noticing it's always the same, it's almost humorous.
Give me Dodds without McDonald and I'd watch
purplehaze23510 March 2020
It sounded so promising - a detective drama set in Bath, the always wonderful Jason Watkins - but sadly this drama fell short due to the terrible acting by the female lead. Even though I was interested to see what happened, I couldn't make it all the way through the first episode because the character of McDonald was so awful and the acting so wooden. Give me Dodds on his own and I'd watch!
Fun for a Sunday evening!
timunity2 March 2020
Not to be taken too seriously, a bit of fun on a Sunday evening. The two main characters would drive you mad if you knew them, having a sneaky dig at the go getting career feminist and the time serving middle aged white male?The Dysonesque character was similarly lampooned.
Also hoping for more
zdarov9 October 2020
Like other reviewers here, I'm really hoping they keep making this show. It's right in the pocket for what I like.. the length, the setting, the balance between this being their work and us not having to suffer their home lives and demons and whatnot. Sure I'd like to see McDonald turned down a bit; it's early days, they'd level her out some. I don't like how she treats him sometimes, but I also believe and like the character.
For those of us who enjoy the 'cozy mystery' type of vibe, I think the show is pretty terrific.
Sad
carnstabba-556728 March 2020
Watched the first last week. Storyline OK. She just irritated both of us-maybe that was the point? But 2hours of irritation? This week nothing changes. Usually ITV does good series. This is NOT one of them. Please don't bother to do anymore
It's a decent show.
Sleepin_Dragon1 March 2020
I assume ITV are in search of a feasible replacement for Foyle's War, Poirot and Endeavour, this is not up to the standard of those, but it's a decent watch.
We have had seven weeks of superb drama, Vera and Endeavour, and then they give us this, it doesn't have the grit of those mentioned shows, it is more like an afternoon show stretched out over the two hours, similar in a way to Shakespeare and Hathaway.
Bath looks sublime, and maybe there is some mileage in it. Compared to other ITV dramas this didn't quite hit the mark, but it wasn't bad.
The first episode was like, the second was good, good enough to prove there is some mileage here, and the duo deserve a few more crimes.
7/10
We have had seven weeks of superb drama, Vera and Endeavour, and then they give us this, it doesn't have the grit of those mentioned shows, it is more like an afternoon show stretched out over the two hours, similar in a way to Shakespeare and Hathaway.
Bath looks sublime, and maybe there is some mileage in it. Compared to other ITV dramas this didn't quite hit the mark, but it wasn't bad.
The first episode was like, the second was good, good enough to prove there is some mileage here, and the duo deserve a few more crimes.
7/10
Promising start.
alanwilliamjones4 March 2020
Dodd is the Brains Give Him the Credit
canterburybella-6806 July 2023
I'm enjoying the character of Dodd played well by Jason Watkins. The lead female detective is fine, except her character is unskilled, mean and unfeeling. She's mean to Dodd, and owes him many apologies for the way she treats him. I see nothing wrong with Dodd, as he's the only one that is making a full effort to solve the crimes. It's time the script writers gave him the credit he deserves. As well, enough with the silliness of sticking him under the air conditioner - it's plain rude and would never happen in real life.
P. S. ITV. We're all tired of every police show having to have a female lead every single time. As a female myself, it's become a huge predictable bore. How about some well rounded equality for a change in 50/50 splits where a man can actually be in charge, like in real life. Your sending a really bad message to half the population and it's time to even out the playing field. We get it, women are smart, too. Stop brow beating your audience already. It's not the 1950s. We get it already! Seriously, give it a rest.
P. S. ITV. We're all tired of every police show having to have a female lead every single time. As a female myself, it's become a huge predictable bore. How about some well rounded equality for a change in 50/50 splits where a man can actually be in charge, like in real life. Your sending a really bad message to half the population and it's time to even out the playing field. We get it, women are smart, too. Stop brow beating your audience already. It's not the 1950s. We get it already! Seriously, give it a rest.
Such a good show
faithless473414 September 2020
This is a great show with awesome 'chemistry' between the leads. you will enjoy this show and when you finish you will want more. I so enjoyed this classic 'who done it' style of murder mystery. Sit down get a cup of whatever you fancy and enjoy.
Feels like it should be on in the afternoon
sjames532 March 2020
Problematic at best.
debdshaw609 September 2020
You have to love DS Dodds. He's brilliant and dogged but meek and you can strongly sympathize with him as a man who has spent his life in the company of bullies or being overlooked.
The character of McDonald, however is shrill, horrid, nasty, mean, and just a terrible person willing to walk over everyone and wipe her shoes on Dodds who then just lets it go with no apology forthcoming. She throws him under the bus multiple times in each episode.
She's written with every bad stereotype of a woman determined to succeed. It doesn't help that she's a black woman because these stereotypes are even worse for her. She treats her significant other so badly you want to call him up and plead for him to get out and find someone who cares for him and you never even see the poor guy!
The stories, so far as I've seen them, are good with interesting twists and turns but McDonald is so overbearing that it's distractingly bad.
There are the typical tropes of the mean boss who doesn't think she can do the job, is trying to push Dodds to retire early even tho he's the key to solving the crimes, and is in general, an asshole.
I watch it for the Dodds scenes, really because he's so endearing.
The character of McDonald, however is shrill, horrid, nasty, mean, and just a terrible person willing to walk over everyone and wipe her shoes on Dodds who then just lets it go with no apology forthcoming. She throws him under the bus multiple times in each episode.
She's written with every bad stereotype of a woman determined to succeed. It doesn't help that she's a black woman because these stereotypes are even worse for her. She treats her significant other so badly you want to call him up and plead for him to get out and find someone who cares for him and you never even see the poor guy!
The stories, so far as I've seen them, are good with interesting twists and turns but McDonald is so overbearing that it's distractingly bad.
There are the typical tropes of the mean boss who doesn't think she can do the job, is trying to push Dodds to retire early even tho he's the key to solving the crimes, and is in general, an asshole.
I watch it for the Dodds scenes, really because he's so endearing.
Breath of Bath's fresh air
glynis-486702 March 2020
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