Art Detectives

Britbox and Acorn are loaded with odd couple detective series. Quirky/normal; rebel/by-the-book; amateur/professional; old/young, etc. Maybe it all started with the mercurial Holmes and the prosaic Watson. Anglophiles like me will suspend disbelief and go along with most of these tropes. Usually the writing, acting and production qualities are better than a lot of domestic fare.

This time it's a nerdy museum curator-type who wears duffle coats and happens to be one of those Detective Inspectors that seem to be ubiquitous in British law enforcement. He is the sole member of the Heritage Crime department the remit of which includes not just what would be considered "art crimes" but, apparently, any misdeed that might have a picture, statue, song or whatever involved, including good old drawing room-style murders.

In a fairly standard plot device, he pairs up with a young female Police Constable who knows nothing about art but is intuitive and insightful. She becomes a Detective Constable and the department doubles in size.

Like the American NCIS franchise which began as a unit that investigates USN or USMC incidents but degenerated into taking over any crime where the victim had USAA auto insurance, this show jumps right into ignoring whatever mandate the department is supposed to have. Since murders are the funnest crimes to solve our intrepid detecting odd couple jump right in and take charge without a thought of calling in major crimes or the murder squad.

The characters are pleasant enough, if a bit over-written and over-acted. (The DI in his duffle coat almost falls into the river after the DC, who is an expert swimmer and certified sailor suggests they commandeer a rowboat for some forgettable reason.) And the scenery is nice. But the stories are weak. I've watched three episodes and can't remember whodunnit in any of them. I'll keep watching, because I'm one of those Anglophiles. But my expectations have been seriously lowered.

I really like this show. It's got twists and turns, engaging stories, and it's delightfully cheeky. However, the character of Malik has been written in such a way that she behaves like she's the boss. She's bossy, takes the lead even though it's not her call, and she's very disrespectful to her boss. I don't like that and it puts a very sour taste in my mouth. Other than that I like her character. If they are going to do a series 2, they need to make her more mindful of the hierarchy in their relationship. As it is now, he looks weak and ineffective and she looks unprofessional and unpleasant. Not entertaining at all, especially since he is the main character.

I've watched 4 episodes and it's disappointing. I'm a big fan of British crime dramas, but the stories so far haven't grabbed me. It's a light crime drama led by a serious actor Stephen Moyer, so I expected more. This definitely isn't a "Grace" or even a "Chelsea Detective and not quite a "Shakespeare and Hathaway". Set someplace outside of London, but actually filmed in Ireland, the locations are great.

The character of DC Malik doesn't really work, she acts like she's an equal with DI Palmer when she doesn't have his rank, police experience or art education. That's down to the poor writing. A crime unit of two people really doesn't work, like this series really doesn't work.

The concept of art detectives has so many possibilities, but the plots and dialog just don't match the concept. There are so many great directions this series could go in terms of art and fraud besides murder. If there is a second series I hope the writing improves.

I think 5 stars for a review is generous, but this show would be higher if they stayed in their lane. "Art Detectives", but it's the Heritage Crime Unit....so that helps cover more area than just Art...so why not call it Heritage Crimes?

The tropes are over the top. Lone detective, not like by his peers, quirky and intelligent. Know everything about everything...painting, sculptures, wine, music, expensive liquors, archaeology...hmmm...this guys a quirky genius. Oh yeah, he's got issues with his father...a criminal.

Newcomer detective that is young, naive and eager to learn. Plus, to add more, she has issues with her parents.

Always a murder...never just a robbery...but once it's murder, why don't other units get involved?

All suspects have an attitude and don't like the police to ask them questions. (Every imported detective show from the UK has this trope).

It could be better...don't just slap together a show made from other shows and pass it off as new.

It starts a bit slow, but in these crazy times, I'm enjoying this. Liking the fact that there is none of the annoying infighting and yelling with a superior and/or inferior officer(s), it's just the two detectives working and getting along. Except for an extreme asshole of a father, there are no annoying teenage kids, alcoholism, divorces, just a weekly murder related to art.

There is a sweet ongoing romance between the main detective and a colleague which is refreshing given their maturity. And cute that the younger partner can tease him about it.

I was worried that this might be a rip off of the French show, The Art of Murder, a show where a police detective and art historian team up to solve crimes in Paris. The on and off relationship between the two of them and the fact that the detective, from Paris, knows nothing about art and hates it is annoying.

So, Just pour yourself a cup of tea, relax and enjoy this show.