Line of Fire: Part 2

These kinds of shows really work best when the bad guy is really a bad guy. Here we have one of the worst. As Frost looks for the murderer of a husband, he continues to look into the activities of his estranged wife. We also get another look at the psychotic power plant worker who uses his colleague and toady to do his bidding, by his constant haranguing on his shortcomings. The young detective who has been looking into the deaths of cats and dogs begins to try to outshine Frost who cuts her off all the time. He knows she's good but doesn't like that if she reaches the position he is in, she will meet the dregs of humanity. There is a great chase scene and an ending much like the HItchcock film "Saboteur." Very fine two part offering.

Overall, I like this show; but some of the episodes are just rubbish, and this one was just too gruesome for me. I know it's just a TV show, and I know people are horrible in real life, but the villains in this episode were despicable; and having a show where innocent animals are killed just isn't necessary. In all honesty, this whole episode was tiresome. Dragging these storylines out into two episodes was ridiculous; they should have, and could have tied this up in one episode instead of rehashing the same things over and over and over and dragging it out ad nauseum.

The first part of this episode was great. The intrigue, the thought that the perpetrator is a policeman, the seemingly-minor second mystery that appeared to not have a context. This, and the episode with Frost being held at gunpoint in a bank holdup.

This, the second part, finishes things off in style. In the main case the pieces eventually fall into place after much hard work from Frost and, especially, WPC Kavanagh. Kavanagh also features prominently in the second case which goes from two guys who are anti-social and cruel to animals to two guys who are raving psychopaths.

A pity WPC Kavanagh never became a regular character as she represented the changing of the guard, how technology was going to be used to help solve crimes. It would have been a fitting story arc, as Frost is heading for retirement, Kavanagh's star is rising.

As has been said by me numerous times already, 'A Touch of Frost' is a personal favourite of mine, and one of my favourite shows from the detective/mystery genre. Do have a preference perhaps for the earlier-mid-show episodes over the later ones, but none of the episodes are less than watchable and none do anything to embarrass the show.

So much appeals about 'A Touch of Frost'. Love the mix of comedy (mostly through Frost's snide comments and quips) and dark grit, the tension between rebellious Jack Frost and by-the-book Mullet which has led to some humorous moments, how he interacts with the rest of the staff, the deft mix of one or two cases and Frost's personal life, how Frost solves the cases, the production values, music and of course David Jason in one of his best roles.

There may have been people initially sceptical about whether the show would work, and with Jason (a mainly comedic actor) in a departure from usual in the lead role. Scepticism very quickly evaporated, with the first season containing three consistently great episodes, even with the darker and grittier approach with less humour, that established the tone and characterisation so brilliantly so early on with no signs of finding-their-feet. Seasons 2 and 3 continued that high standard, "Appropriate Adults" and "Stranger in House" particularly being show highlights. Season 4 was also very good, particularly "Paying the Price" and "Deep Waters", the weakest "Unknown Soldiers" still being pretty good. All four episodes of Season 5 were brilliant, especially "Penny for the Guy" and "No Other Love". Season 6 wasn't quite as consistent, but all episodes ranged from good to great, the best being "Keys to the Car".

"Line of Fire", the first of four two-parters for the show, the others being "Benefit of the Doubt" from Season 8, "Mistaken Identity" from Season 9 and "If Dogs Run Free" from Season 15 (the final season), is just terrific. Can be iffy about episodes being split into half, having been done with variable execution on 'Lewis' for example, but not here.

It's a very well made episode as to be expected. It matches the dark, gritty tone of the episode beautifully with atmospheric lighting and the stylish way it's shot. The music is haunting without being over-bearing.

The script is well written, with a few very amusing quips from Frost, and is thought-provoking with lots of things you don't expect. The story is absorbing with a good deal happening while not rushing through it or trying to do too much. Plenty of suspense and intrigue, with an ending that is one of the show's most suspenseful and worthy of Hitchcock.

Frost is a remarkably well-established character , and one cannot help love his interaction with the rest of the officers and his chemistry with Bruce Alexander's stern and by-the-book Mullet, who constantly despairs of Frost's unconventional approach. Frost's new partner is a good character and works well with Frost.

Jason continues to excel impeccably, while Paul Jesson, Bruce Alexander, John Lyons and Nicky Henson support him solidly.

In conclusion, terrific second half to one of the show's generally better two-parters. 10/10 Bethany Cox