CRIME DRAMA THRILLER. “Scarpetta.” / “DTF St Louis.” / “Red Eye” Season 2.

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“Scarpetta” (Amazon Prime) crime drama, based on the book series of the same name by Patricia Cornwell. 


       Kay Scarpetta is a brilliant forensic pathologist. Inspired by former Virginia Chief Medical Examiner Marcella Farinelli Fierro, she employs advanced forensic technology to unravel mysteries and solve crimes. Throughout the series she navigates her investigative journey across various settings, including Florida, Virginia, and Charleston, South Carolina.

       The back and forth in time or two Scarpetta stories (1990 and 2021, with 8 or 10 in between) interfaced in one is a little disjointed and distracting, and can be confusing. I had to situate myself in the continuity each time Scarpetta goes to Rosy McEwen and then back to Nicole Kidman again. 

       Then there's the side story of the sisters, Kay and Dorothy (Jamie Lee Curtis), in collision one day, allies the next. And the AI of a dead wife in the computer interacting with the partner Lucy (Ariana DeBose) as though it's a typical Zoom chat is freaky to me. Not the sci-fi that I dig because that activity may soon be a reality. And I think it's mentally disturbing. Deranged even. (Lucy is Dorothy's daughter who has lived with Kay since she was a child.)

       But the ensemble acting is kickass, although it didn't help with the show's fluidity and sequencing. I realize I still prefer mystery thrillers or crime dramas, linear, with less cinematic confection. 🎥💻📽


“DTF St Louis” (HBO) dark comedy. A love triangle between three adults experiencing middle-age malaise, which leads to one of them ending up dead. BTW, the meaning of DTF is “down to f--k.” 



       How could we not click/watch Jason Bateman, David Harbour, Linda Cardellini, Richard Jenkins and Peter Sarsgaard in a TV series? Add Joy Sunday, whom I've never seen before–and we are off to an engaging show.

       However, by the third episode we already knew what's up. What ensued are all weirdness and intermittent visuals of a penis. So this is one of those shows that you simply want to end, but you need to wait a week for the next episode. 

       In the end, it's all about the performers. 🎥💻📽


“Red Eye” (Hulu) British political action/thriller. Season 2 centers on a high-stakes lockdown at the US Embassy in London, triggered by threats to bomb a British government jet. Detective Hana Li must work with security head Clay Brody to solve murders and a political conspiracy connecting an old aviation disaster to a new, dangerous geopolitical crisis. 


       Hana Li is a Hong Kong born Detective Constable (later Detective Sergeant) in the Metropolitan Police. Jing Lusi is Ms Li, stern and firm and sometimes cold–yet her dismissive charm holds the thrill together to keep the show engaging. Clay Brody is Martin Compston, a familiar face in British crime shows. Always convincing without trying so hard to look like an action star. 🎥💻📽

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