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.

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.

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.

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.

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.