Endangered Species

The brilliant David Jason returns as D.I. Frost 14 months after Near Death Experience. Angry at the failure to successfully prosecute an old enemy of Frost's, a disturbing phone call leads to an unexpected find...

This is where the Endangered Species comes in, leading Jack on an intriguing journey where beautiful, innocent creatures are tortured, killed and stuffed simply for profit. It does make for some interesting viewing and certainly throws some light into this worldwide problem.

As usual, David Jason throws himself brilliantly into the role of Frost, and there is great chemistry between him and Blake Ritson as D.S. Robert 'Elvis' Presley, while we also see the return of a familiar face.

A welcome return to form, with the usual gaffes, and we have another hit with viewers.

This episode was undermined by awkward comedy relief by the writers, and David Jason looked uncharacteristically awkward delivering some lines. Generally, I rate Jason's drama better than his comedy. I also found his offsider "Presley" less than engaging compared with his other younger proteges. And this is a generation gap too far this time for Frost's love interest. Don't know how old Julie is supposed to be -- but she looks younger than the 30 years old of the actress. David Jason was 65 and looking older. Don't know how this can possibly be justified as being realistic. The two of them walking together look like a fit young thing leading her grandad along.

A less-than-perfect episode of Frost. The secondary investigation, involving the dead stranger found in the house, was over the moment it was discovered he died of natural causes but Frost and several other police officers spend their time on a wild goose chase. While it's interesting enough it's quite pointless.

The other main flaw is the incredibly implausible romantoc sub-plot involving Frost and the gym instructor, 30 or so years his junior. The relationship was implausible when it was briefly brought up in the last episode and it's even more far-fetched now.

This said, the remainder of the episode is excellent. The murder is intriguing and the animal smuggling involved very sad and emotional.

I'm a long-time fan of the Frost series, but this episode just didn't agree with me.

My main complaint (as actor David Jason himself agreed with at the close of the series) is that Frost is simply getting to old to be going after younger women, in this case a lithe aerobics instructor. Frost is now easily into his 60s, while the instructor looks be be no older than late 30s. In earlier episodes, Frost has occasionally had more than a protective, parental eye for the ladies (including ex-madams with hearts of gold), but this is definitely pushing things.

Another criticism: rare species trafficking is and was a serious problem, but it should have been addressed as a background crime issue, not the continuous public service announcement as it appears in this episode. In previous installments, the series adeptly handled more serious (even heartbreaking) issues like child sexual abuse and endangerment without becoming maudlin or preachy in their treatment.

Lastly, having conclusively identified the real mastermind behind the trafficking and murders, Frost normally would have read him his rights, cuffed him and had him hauled off straightaway. Instead, he chats at length with the criminal and allows himself to be led into a situation involving a dangerous wild animal. In the ensuing showdown, it is all too obvious that Jason's stuntman is doing the wild-animal taming act.

This episode has such a lot going for it... The storyline is brilliant with the idea of illegally imported animals, who are easily the stars of the show, although this might be because there isn't anything else like it. There is also a secondary case involving a school teacher which is rather interesting. Overall, the two plots compliment each other well and there is hardly a dull moment. There are a few jokes as with most things involving David Jason and DC Presley is a good character who ought to be used more often than just this episode. The reason why it didn't get 10 and instead 9 is because I felt Frost was a bit too racist towards Asia - I appreciate this skepticism exists but it was mentioned too often in the script although with a character like Frost it is quite believable. Well worth watching - you are very unlikely to be disappointed.