The Black Tower - Part Two

Looked forward to this but was disappointed.

What have you done to PD James stories?

No subtitles for the deaf, despite using disabled actors.

It's more like Sherlock Holmes meets Midsomer Murders.

This series' so far first two stories have been a joy to watch. Only pleasant problem is they're so entertaining I don't want to to consume the limited amount too fast. Curiously I remember a stellar "Morse" episode with a similar drugs hidden in invalid's wheelchairs.

The brilliant casting of Bertie Carvel as DCI Adam Dalgliesh is an integral component to the quality of the series so far. I'm not a huge fan of current American TV. But the Brits prove here outstanding quality is still possible.

"The Black Tower" kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The characters all unique with their eccentricities coming off very natural not overacting. Dalgliesh is very deep and complex with a human element that only the best British detective mysteries achieve. All the supporting actors were excellent.

Looking forward I see Carlyss Peer as Kate Miskin will be a regular which is a welcome move. Glad this new series wasn't set in the 2020s so the PC woke nonsense didn't dominate.

Just one production issue; the uniformed Woman Police Sergeant (WPS) was wearing two pips on each epaulette (an inspector's rank) instead of either 3 stripes on each arm or on each epaulette.

After last weeks terrific opener I found this pretty tedious.

Bertie Carvel is excellent as Dalgleish but I have always found Stephen Mackintosh a difficult watch. He is always playing the same character, so not much acting involved.

You have to like the characters, or at least some of them, but this drama was made up up of a pretty dour ensemble.

I could not help but feel we were in the realms of political correctness as it was a bit of a diversity fest.

These comments are based on watching both parts of 'The Black Tower' not just the second.

This episode sees DCI Dalgliesh heading to the coast to visit old friend Father Michael; unfortunately when he arrives he learns that his host had died two weeks previously. Fr Michael had worked at the nearby Toynton Grange care home; while he had apparently died of natural causes his wasn't the only recent death there... a cantankerous old man had apparently committed suicide by wheeling himself over a cliff (thanks to the prologue viewers know he was pushed by an unseen assailant). Dalgliesh has his suspicions but the local police inspector isn't very helpful; thankfully Sergeant Kate Miskin, who has her own suspicions is happy to help investigate. Not surprisingly there will be more deaths as the case progresses.

I enjoyed the first of Channel Five's adaptations of P. D. James's stories and happily enjoyed this one just as much. The setting is classic murder mystery; remote, rural and effectively set in a closed community... suspects and victims are all living at the care home. This creates a sense of claustrophobia that is heightened by the fact that several residents have mobility issues. The number of suspects and motives should keep the viewer guessing till the reveal at the end. The cast does a solid job; Bertie Carvel continues to impress as Dalgliesh and guests Steven Mackintosh and Carlyss Peer stand out as the intense Brother Wilfred Antsey and Sgt Miskin respectively. Overall another fine story; it is just a pity we only have one more to go... hopefully further series will be commissioned soon.