Have loved 'Taggart' (another show gotten into during my teenage years) for a long time, although the more deliberate and even grittier Taggart and Jardine periods to me are superior to Burke's. Although it was actually through watching the late afternoon reruns of the Burke period episodes (starting from "Compensation" right up to when the episodes became shorter (too short in my mind) at one point that got me hooked, the Taggart and Jardine episodes were actually seen a lot later.
"Island", one of the 'Taggart' episodes seen later than most, is one of the Burke-period episodes that has grown on me since first watch. On first watch, it was a case of liking the first half but not being as keen on the second. Over-time, "Island" came over as a very good episode. Not quite on great level like "Compensation", "Judgement Day", "A Death Foretold" and "Pinnacle", but it still has enough of what is so appealing about 'Taggart' and certainly much better than something like "Genesis" and "Law".
Am going to start with the not so good things. The music never felt like it fitted, it could have been used less and while it sounds just fine in the 80s and early 90s episodes it sounds out of date here to my tastes.
While the climax is memorable, it also struck me as predictable and melodramatic. Did think too that the murderer was revealed too early.
On the other hand, a lot is great here in "Island". It is made with a lot of grit and atmosphere, as well as a slick style, that fits the gritty tone of the show very well. The scenery once again is both beautiful and uncompromising, some of the most beautiful and foreboding of the later episodes and just perfect for the grim story. The theme tune is very memorable still. The acting is very good, Blythe Duff and John Michie carry the episode beautifully and have such great chemistry here.
Furthermore, "Island" pulls no punches while having lots of intrigue and emotion. Not much humour here this time but that was not a problem. The story is intricate and involving, with a suitably intricate and increasingly unsettling story. Grim but not too much so that life is sucked out. The murder methods are quite gruesome and quite different for late 'Taggart'.
Concluding, very well done and one of the episodes that is better now. 8/10.
