Endangered Species

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.

The detective show clichés and grotesque violence aren't worth discussing. What took me aback was that the characters and dialogue don't seem to be from 2006, but 1946. As part of a plot about animals smuggled from Asia, a man of Asian descent is brutally murdered. When white females are killed, TV cops have been known to spend a little *too* much time lingering over their corpses and staring wistfully at the crime scene photos. For this victim, Inspector Frost instead makes offhand references to "the Chinaman" over and over. What, did the screenwriters dust off a pulp novel from 70 years ago?

It gets worse. The body is found with a notebook of writing in a language Frost assumes is Chinese. "It is, in fact, a notebook, and not a menu," he tells his all-white police squad. Finally, they identify the victim as Lahn Loc, a smuggler with a Vietnamese background working with another man named Flanagan. Superintendent Mullett struggles to discuss the two crooks "Flanagan and that man called, er... The Vietnamese." Right, 'cause Lahn Loc is soooo hard to pronounce. Worse, even after they learn he's Vietnamese, Frost *still* calls him "the Chinaman."

Sounds like "Midsomer Murders" wasn't the only British detective show that needed to get past some racism. This 2006 TV movie was called "Endangered Species," and I hope that in the 9 years since, this outdated treatment of Asians has gotten more "endangered" too.

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.

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.

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