“Crime.” “Shetland” Series 8. “The Third Day.”

“Crime” (Britbox) Scottish crime drama, 2 Seasons. An adaptation of the Irvine Welsh novel of the same name, the series focuses more on emotionally hysterical and mentally “off” DI Ray Lennox than with the crime that he, and partner DS Amanda Drummond, pursue and try to solve. To complicate policing, Ray tends to get overly personally involved with the case/s. Definitely, the police procedure that “Crime” delivers is beyond ordinary which makes the series compelling. 

       As DI Ray Lennox, Dougray Scott won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor in November 2022. Season 1 was fine, unique, and riveting. The searing intensity of Mr Scott is all over the screen. But by Season 2, I started to feel a bit turned off by Ray’s overwrought dramatics. Enough already, solve the crime now. I realize I wanted my copper cold as ice, pragmatic as cheap Kentucky whiskey. Just get it done, dude. 

       DS Amanda Drummond, ably navigated by Joanna Vanderham, could have been explored more. Almost, in Season 2. But clearly it is DI Ray Lennox’s show. So deal with it. 📺🎥📺

“Shetland” (Amazon Prime) Season/Series 8, Scottish crime drama originally based upon the novels of Ann Cleeves. Douglas Henshall, who played the steely cool DI Jimmy Pérez for 7 Seasons, called it a night. But his able squad: Alison "Tosh" McIntosh (Alison O’Donnell), Sandy Wilson (Steven Robertson), Billy McCabe (Lewis Howden), and forensic specialist Cora McLean are all back. Newbie is Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder.

       What’s endearing about “Shetland,” similar to my other favorite “Vera,” is the small-town intimacy, non-flashy police procedurals, and finely orchestrated performances. Season 8 though had nothing much to offer than the previous Seasons did. Ms Jensen though is a not-so-bad replacement. Not unlike when Morven Christie was replaced by Marsha Thomason in another British copper/detective series, “The Bay.” Ms Christie’s DS/DC Lisa Armstrong had more identifiable human vulnerability in her “shield” over Ms Thomason, whose DS Jenn Townsend, seems to me, was there only to render diversity imperative to the show. 

       I am now looking forward to Season/Series 9 of “Shetland.” 📺🎥📺

“The Third Day” (HBO Max via Amazon) psychological thriller folk horror drama, chronicles the individual journeys of a man and woman who arrive on a mysterious island at different times. Premise: The series chronicles the individual journeys of a man and woman who arrive on a mysterious island at different times, in three parts. 

This series is weird, whacked, and wherefore. If not for the remarkable cast–Jude Law, Emily Watson, Paddy Considine, Naomie Harris, and Katherine Waterston–I wouldn’t have bothered and consigned it to my “Given Up” list.

       The First Part though had enough alluring mystery to keep the unsuspecting viewer seated, so I did. But as Part 2 came, it went gungho. Yet I carried on, thanks to the appearance of Ms Harris in the last part. 📺🎥📺