Endangered Species

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.

In this episode, which focuses on people transporting exotic animals for profit, Inspector Frost becomes and advocate for animal rights. Once again, he is politically incorrect in his day to day interactions. He uses words like "Chinaman" and uses racial stereotypes. I'm sure the writers weren't stupid enough to not notice this. Stereotyping is done constantly in prime time television, here in the 21st century. It's primarily related to people of color, most specifically blacks. Frost is not a role model; he never has been. He fixates on whatever case he is on and often steps on toes. That's why Mullett is so frequently at odds with him. What he is is an interesting character, warts and all. He can be cruel and he can be kind. There is a secondary case involving a beautiful young teacher who has an affair with a student. It isn't all that interesting. Frost understands but there is the law. If every detective on TV were squeaky clean, it would be incredibly dull.

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, the first six seasons were top notch with a few not-quite-outstanding-but-still-very-good episodes but most of them being near-perfect to masterpiece. Was not sure initially as to whether the Seasons 7-9 two parters would work, having seen two parters not quite work with 'Lewis' for example, but all three worked brilliantly.

Most of Season 10 was of a very high standard, "Held in Trust" was my personal favourite of the episodes but Jim Sturgess' performance in "Close Encounters" is one of the show's best supporting turns. Was a little let down however by "Hidden Truth", which was still decent and much better than a lot of weaker episodes from other shows but considering the high quality of Seasons 1-9 decent didn't seem quite enough. "Another Life" and "Dancing in the Dark" were very good episodes for Season 11, though neither high points, while Season 12's "Near Death Experience" was outstanding and a standout of the latter season episodes.

On first viewing, "Endangered Species" always struck me as an okay episode with impressive elements but with some things that, compared to the usual high standard of the show, that made it a disappointment. On re-watch, it fared better (the story was easier to follow this time and no longer feel that the murderer is revealed too early due to some nice unexpected twists in the second half) but is nowhere near 'A Touch of Frost' at its best. This said, even the weakest 'Frost' episodes are better than most shows' weakest.

"Endangered Species" could have been better. Frost's romantic subplot, as much as any character development for one of the most interesting post-Morse detectives is to be applauded, added little and struck somewhat of a false chord, and seeing Frost being so uncharacteristically acrimonious for no reason towards Mullet and how he stereotpes people here was a bit of a turn off.

Pacing could have been tightened in places and more suspense wouldn't have gone amiss. Can't be the only person to notice the size inconsistency of the crocodile when discovered and then when it was caught, being bigger when introduced, though this is more of a nit-pick.

As ever, on the other hand, the production values as always are incredibly well done. 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 theme tune still iconic.

Writing on the most part is taut and thought-provoking, if more serious in tone to usual and with not as much humour, what there is is of that still amusing. The story is mostly absorbing with some clever twists and turns and making the most of a unique idea for 'A Touch of Frost'. The ending made more sense to me on re-watch and even found myself marvelling even more the scene stealing animals and the location of the ending. The second case wasn't quite as interesting, due to less focus on it, but it's still interesting.

Frost is a remarkably well-established character, though this episode is proof that he is far from a saint (never in all honesty was he ever intended to be) and one cannot help love his amusing interaction with the rest of the officers and particularly his chemistry with DS Presley.

Can't fault Jason as Frost, he is simply brilliant in the role as always with not one foot put wrong. All the supporting cast are on point, with a strong turn from Blake Ritson.

On the whole, not one of my favourites and somewhat of a disappointment but still not bad at all. 7/10 Bethany Cox

I am so glad I was not the only one to notice the diabolical flaw in this episode (as if there were no diabolical flaws in the rest of the series).

In real life David Jason is 35 years older than Claire Cox who plays the Julie Brown character. He was born in 1940 she was born in 1975.

The makeup artists tried to make her look older with some highlights and shadows here and there on her face, but I don't think it fooled the majority of the contributors here and that includes me.

So basically putting the traffickin od endangered species angle aside, there were two elements to this episode: 1 - An old man perverting after a woman being old enough to be his daughter.

2 - The idea of a pure love story between a 24 year old very attractive music teacher and a 15 year old student who is shy of being sixteen in two weeks. The way the teacher was defending their so-called love and saying but I'm only 24, and the way Frost spoke very softly and gently with her, as if it was just a sad story, whereas in the eyes of the law in the majority of the First World countries until the age of 18 they are minors.

It was what it was, child sexual abuse, and this episode tried to make it look innocent.

I am wondering one thing. Did David Jason have any leeway and say in episode scripts? Because I certainly would not have accepted the huge age gap scenario for him and Julie, and also the predator teacher child sexual abuse scenario.

No this episode was disgusting on so many levels. But the ending saved face when Karen announced that she was going to try and work it out with her ex-husband Frank.

I have always loved this series for its beautiful characterizations (and characters) but, as it ages along with Sir David Jason, I find the dialogues are less believable and Frost himself is becoming rather tiresome and querulous in his old age; the character is less endearing. To be blunt, he is being played as a bit of a clown and there is a heavy-handedness in presenting him that makes me cringe. For example the interplay between Frost and Mullett was once exquisitely amusing - you could see the point of view of each man as they clashed - but now Frost treats Mullett with such open contempt and rudeness that it no longer works for me. The series seems to have bowed to the current style of packing in more action at the expense of ambiance and character development and I find myself turning to the newer Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck) series now on American TV (of all places) to conjure back a similar style to the old Frost episodes.