Wire in the Blood

I started watching this show in series 1. It was edgy and gritty, with strong performances from everyone. It still is. "Wire in the Blood" is the story of Dr.Tony Hill (Robson Green), a slightly eccentric clinical psychologist who works part time with the police force of Bradford, England. He has a reputation of taking small seemingly unconnected facts puzzling them together and providing a profile for the police to follow. The show is bases on the books written by crime novelist Val McDiarmid. In series 1-3, Hermione Norris played Detective Inspecter/Chief Inspecter Carol Jordan of Bradford CID, who managed to rein Tony's scattered abilities and make sense of them. In series 4, Ms Norris has left the show and Simone Lahbib as Inspecter Alex Fielding has the dubious job of reining in Hill. Green is, of course, the lead of the show and he is brilliant. He mixes in just enough idiosyncrasies to make Hill human, endearing and sometimes down right aggravating. Norris brought an adult, feminine, vulnerability to her role as Carol Jordan. Brought up to believe in hard case police work, her world was turned upside down by Tony's presence. In the end, she asks for a transfer. Enter DI Alex Fielding, Simone Lahbib. Ms. Lahbib is an unknown entity to me, but as I finished watching series 4, I felt a bit queasy. When one actor leaves a show and is replaced. It is important to give the newcomer a distinctive identity. Fielding is a single mother with a son and a cat, yet in the second episode of s4, "Torment", the writers were able to slide her easily into the role that would have been Norris'. The "Jordan" character was specific to the McDiarmid book "Torment of Others", of which the episode was derived. The Jordan/Fielding character played a large part. The writing is exceptional, especially for the episode, "Torment". The acting is exceptional. This statement is meant to include: Mark Letheren(DI Kevin Jeffries); Emma Handy (DC Paula McIntyre) and Peter Sullivan (ACC Paul Eden). When there is an ensemble cast and crew that work their hardest to put out the best product possible, it makes viewing a very satisfying activity. Note: this show is designated TV-MA, because of some intense or violent scenes. I would not recommend this show for anyone under the age of 16.

I was lucky enough to have a copy taped from BBC America (cheers, Mom!) -- if you're a Robson Green fan, it's a fantastic showcase for his acting. Not as cavalier as his "Touching Evil" series; his "Wire in the Blood" character of Tony Hill is much more reserved, quirky, and, being a criminal profiler, is more internalized with his processing of information. Even if you're not a Robson Green fan, this will surely garner him new followers. There were three full-length movies: "The Mermaid's Singing", "Shadows Rising", and "Justice Painted Blind". The first two, "Singing" and "Shadows" are adaptations of author Val McDermid's books;

"Justice" is an original script based off of McDermid's work, but closely follows her style and she was directly involved with its creation, so I think it's a respectful homage to her work as a whole, so I don't think her fans will be disappointed. All three deal with strange and grisly serial killings, the profiling of possible suspects, and the drama involved with tracking down the unique killers. Set against the backdrop of the bleak, lonely hills of the north of England, the movies are all gritty and disturbing (but not overly-so), and they really show the darker side of human nature and the lengths at which a profiler like Tony Hill is willing to venture to capture the killer. The supporting cast is brilliant; Hermione Norris as D.I. Carol Jordan is just wonderful to watch. Intelligent, sincere, and admirably professional, it's as much her story as it is Tony Hill's. The chemistry they have is marvellous to watch and not at all contrived. Personally, I think "Mermaids" was the best; it was the first, it clearly had the most detailed characterizations and plot complexity, and was definitely the most vicious -- some scenes definitely not for the faint of heart. But still compelling and highly recommended. The other two are still great, well-plotted and suspenseful, but slightly less edgy as the first. I recommend seeing the series in its proper order, to catch little references to past storylines.

I watched all 3 in order and enjoyed this series. I am anxious to find out if there is a follow up to Painted? I have an unanswered question about the ending and it appears as though there is (or should be) a sequel to this? If you have not watched any of these, please go for it and watch them in order. The character development is quite entertaining. The chemistry between Hill and D.I. Jordan is done in a tasteful way. The creative and honest mind of the writers is put on the screen with a quality job of directing. I am a detective investigator and I am very critical with "who done it" crime solving type movies. These I would use to show my students when teaching a crime profiling class.

Criminal Psychologist Tony Hill assists The Police with all manner of complex and disturbing crimes. He's quirky, he's a little odd, but he helps to provide a different, and intellectual insight into the killer's mind.

I loved this show, six great series, twisted, bleak and mind bending crimes. The show shocked, thrilled, entertained and intrigued.

Effectively the show is split up into two eras, series one to three, The Carol Jordan years, series four to six, The Alex Fielding years. Both having very different relationships with Tony.

What I'm struck by, was just how explicit this show was, it wasn't afraid to show violence and gore, at the time they got away with a lot more than they'd be allowed to now.

Torment, Synchronicity and The Mermaids singing were my favourite episodes, but the standard in general is very high, only the final, US set episode didn't quite work for me.

Robson Green was terrific as Tony Hill, a very original character, one it's hard not to like, quirky, but sincere and smart.

A great series, 9/10.

Brilliant series. The third episode not quite as strong a story as the first two, perhaps has something to do with the fact that it was not based directly on the books of V. McD. Robson Green is a great talent, in spite of what his fellow Newcastleian had to say above. I've enjoyed his first rate performances in two other series I've seen, and can't wait to see how his character's flirtation with D.I. Jobson develops in future episodes. Comparisons with "Cracker" seem off the mark to me. Although its one of my favorites, the only things in common with "Wire..." are forensic psychologists profiling murderous sickos, and helping the police catch 'em. Note to the producers: Have Robbie Coltraine guest as "Cracker" character in a future episode assisting Hill and Jobson! Imagine all the fun they could have conflicting professionally, not to mention romantically, vying for Jobson's attention and favors! Brilliant!