Review by Kathleen Costa
AcornTV is my favorite remedy to alleviate any symptoms from my Anglophile addiction: overwhelming ache for tea and scones, desire to hear a classic brogue, and need to see Cotswolds’ pubs. But, all is well when I can binge watch my favorite situation comedies, detective dramas, and travelogues. For a very reasonable fee (monthly $5.99; annual $59.99), easily replacing a caramel macchiato grande, I have been all over the world with Murdoch Mysteries from Canada, Striking Out from Ireland, Wild at Heart from Kenya, Line of Duty from England, The Good Karma Hospital from India, Amnesia from Scotland, and Hinterland from Wales. These two gems have returned to production: My Life is Murder now from New Zealand and Jack Irish from Australia.
My Life is Murder was a big 2019 favorite surprise (reviewed HERE), then Covid, lockdowns, and over a year wondering if season two would ever happen, but…it’s back with a pleasant surprise. The entire cast and production team have emigrated to Auckland, New Zealand, with plenty of green landscapes, beaches, a modern, beautiful city as the backdrop, and a country that handles the pandemic successfully.
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The local detective Harry Henare (Rawiri Jobe) knows
of her work in Melbourne, so he approaches her to consult on several of his
more complex cases. She can’t say no; it’s something she finds a good challenge
for her mind. However, she lacks the needed tech skills, so where to find a
tech genius who isn’t concerned about crossing a few legal barriers? Her former
Aussie assistant Madison Feliciano (Ebony Vangulans) arrives at her front door
to a not so happy reunion. Alexa expected more long-distance tech support, but
Madison thought it more of an exciting adventure to move to New Zealand. “Three
days, then go home!” Their partnership, even with a few quips and conflicts,
results in the same success they had in Melbourne, so it seems Alexa now has a
roommate.
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The second season understandably has fewer episodes, but the crimes explored still have the same clever details, intrigue, and surprises: from a jogger to a surfing champ, a drag queen to a museum curator, a winemaker to a resort chef to an actor. Alexa Crowe, portrayed brilliantly by Lawless, is still a bit curt and compulsive, and Madison’s bright and colorful wardrobe, illustrating perfectly her bright and colorful personality. New Zealand is a beautiful and varied setting, and interestingly enough, is Lawless’s home; Alexa, also a Kiwi, finds a few childhood memories, good and bad, needing to be addressed along with her brother’s legal issues. The murder investigations are never cut and dry, even when that’s how they seem, keeping me totally engaged with several theories, suspects, and motives. Alex’s critical thinking, dogged pursuit for answers, and law enforcement support along with Madison’s computer savvy and ease in many situations are a winning combination, even if someone is put in peril. A third season? No news, as of yet, but hopeful. Earns 5/5 Sourdough Loves!
Jack Irish (2012-2018; 15
episodes) is an Australian production first reviewed HERE. In 2021, a third and final season was
commissioned, and it was brilliant! Guy Pearce returns as the title character
along with Marta Dusseldorp as reporter Linda Hillier, Shane Jacobson as
Detective Barry Tregear, and Aaron Pedersen as muscle Cam Delray along with
several supporting characters at the bar, the race track, and all around
Melbourne. The same rich characters, the same intense storyline, the same
disfunction in Jack’s world entangling old friends, and the shocking revelation
about the circumstances that led to the murder of Jack’s wife make this final
season brilliant.
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Jack Irish has repaired his apartment from a
previous “blow up” and is doing his best, which is debatable, to joint parent
his young son: pick up from school, last-minute babysitting, and bonding at the
race track. His office is the back storage room of his friend’s bar, although
not for much longer, where he still works on a few low-key legal cases, nothing
big, just wills and estates. However, the murder of a cop on leave ensnares him
in a twenty-five-year-old case. This “can of very old worms” puts a serious
strain on DS Tregear who suffers a massive heart attack. Jack’s visit prompts
Tregear to mumble, ‘So, sorry, Jack. For Isabel [Jack’s late wife]. I can’t
make it right.” From that shocking moment, the drama spirals into attempted
murder, dead bodies, a reporter getting too close, major scandal, an explosion,
surprise connections, and answers with karmic revenge.
This Aussie gem took all the loose ends, both
significant and minor, and provided closure not often achieved when a series
ends. Guy Pearce brought his “A-game” to the role, that seemed written for him,
with both strength and vulnerability as he deals with many changes in his life:
a son who needs a dad, his favorite bar reinventing itself for a hipper crowd,
need to find a new office space, and the pain of his wife’s death being dredged
up. He pulls his former lover and reporter/author Linda Hillier into the
mystery putting her in danger (well done by Marta Dusseldorp; A
Place Called Home) while she deals with her own demanding job,
not-quite-over feelings for Jack, her marriage, and an adopted daughter. The
rest of the cast was brilliant adding to a clever, complex, and intense drama
that wields karma to all. Earns 5/5 Aussie Lagers!
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Other Favorite Gems!
Republic of Doyle
(2010-2014; 77 episodes) is a dramady about the family Doyle who run a private
detective agency set in the low-key seaport of St. John’s, Newfoundland,
Canada. Doyle Sr. (Sean McGinley), a retired cop, partners closely, and often
antagonistically, with his son Jake (Allan Hawco) who frequently gets entangled
in more than a few fist fights and a variety of women from clients to exes to
the local detective. With family drama, teenage angst, divorces, and a caseload
that includes adultery, theft, kidnapping, smuggling, and murder, the Doyle
clan is definitely a new favorite! Earns 5+/5 Drams of Irish
Whiskey.
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Midsomer Murders (1997-2021; 130+ episodes), an iconic British
detective drama, returns September 27 for its twenty-second series with Neil
Dudgeon as DCI John Barnaby and Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter returning to
solve several murders in Midsomer. Fans will be thrilled to know that all of
the episodes, including those starring John Nettles as DCI Tom Barnaby, are
available. Question, though, is there anyone left in these Cotswold villages? Earns 5+/5 Pub Specials.
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Mystery Road
(2018: 6 episodes; 2020: 6 episodes) is a crime drama spin-off from two
feature-length movies (Mystery Road,
Goldstone) with Aaron Pedersen reprising
the role as indigenous detective Jay Swan, a role originally written for him.
In season one, he’s called in to support the local police officer Emma James
(Judy Davis) investigating two missing persons turned murder investigation at
an outback cattle station. In season two, Swan is called to a coastal location
to support Constable Fran Davis (Jada Alberts) when a body is found in the
mangroves, but he also gets tangled in missing persons, archeological dig, and
illegal drug trafficking. Earns 5/5 DownUnder
Dramas. 
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Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
The second season of My Life Is Murder has been a huge disappointment as they recycle characters and plots. While I understand the pandemic meant that sold the show off to another production company which then moved it and changed cast and writers, the spark from the first season is totally gone. I think they have killed the show and it is just in its death throes. I doubt if there is a third season.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that it isn't as good as last season, but I am still enjoying it.
ReplyDelete