DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
 
 
 
She's Keeping Dad's Detective Business Going in Victorian England: 'Miss Scarlet and the Duke'
January 17, 2021  | By Mike Hughes  | 9 comments
 


There are good reasons for dramas to retreat to the past.

They need limits and obstacles. Romances work best amid "don't" and "mustn't"; crime stories are best if you can't just call the cops or check the DNA and the video footage.

So Americans return to cowboy or pioneer days, the British visit the Victorian era, and Miss Scarlet and the Duke – debuting at 8 p.m. ET, Sunday (check local listings), on PBS' Masterpiece – fits that era well.

Even Henry Scarlet, a retired cop, draws frowns for having a detective agency. "Chasing criminals is no job for a gentleman," someone grumbles.

Then there's his daughter Eliza, who learned his skills and soon dreamed of being a cop. "Women do not have the same freedom as men," she's told. "That's just the way the world is."

A lady isn't even supposed to go out at night alone, she's told. But she persists, sometimes with the reluctant help of Detective Inspector William Wellington, known as the Duke.

Some viewers may balk at the Hollywood-style perfection here: Wellington, played by Scottish actor Stuart Martin, might be the best-looking TV guy since Jon Hamm became Don Draper. Eliza is played by Kate Phillips, who previously drew some criticism as being "too pretty" to play Jane Seymour (the third wife of Henry VIII) in Wolf Hall.

Put these people in the precise, Victorian finery, and you have a duo suitable for the top of a wedding cake. They are the Rock Hudson and Doris Day of the Victorian age, barbs and all. "Being a detective is a job for a man," he proclaims, to which she responds: "And yet, you do it."

Once we forgive them their telegenic luster, however, we notice that these are interesting characters, thrust into solid mysteries. She has a Sherlock-style ability to spot small clues, he's a good cop who means well, and a third character – introduced initially as her reluctant suitor – helps the story.

In the first episode, she takes over her dad's case with a rich man who says he must find his niece. There are twists, turns, and just enough obstacles to make this fun.

That opener leads into the second episode of the All Creatures Great and Small reboot.

This is the hour that introduces Callum Woodhouse (who played the gun-loving brother in The Durrells) as the less-diligent brother of Dr. Siegried Farnon. Put those shows together, and you have an enjoyable night of period-piece British TV.

 
 
 
 
 
Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)
 
 Name (required)
 
 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
HDIEF
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 1  | Go to page: 
9 Comments
 
 
But once we get past their telegenic luster, we discover that they are intriguing people stuck in intriguing puzzles.
Feb 8, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Going to graduate school was a positive decision for me. I enjoyed the coursework, the presentations, the fellow students, and the professors. And since my company reimbursed 100% of the tuition, the only cost that I had to pay on my own was for books and supplies. Otherwise, I received a free master’s degree. All that I had to invest was my time.
Jan 24, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Television has evolved from a source of mere entertainment to a platform that shapes opinions, influences decisions, and provides valuable insights into various aspects of life. One such platform that has successfully ventured into the realm of business is TVWorthWatching. Let's embark on a journey to explore how TVWorthWatching, initially known for its captivating shows and documentaries, has become a go-to source for business enthusiasts seeking knowledge, inspiration, and strategic insights.
Jan 22, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
The establishment and subsequent growth of detective agencies were closely tied to the increasing complexities of urban life. As cities expanded, so did the need for specialized professionals to tackle rising crime rates. Detective agencies, with their skilled investigators, filled this void, becoming an integral part of the social fabric.
Jan 20, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
"Miss Scarlet and the Duke" unfolds as a captivating tale of determination, mystery, and a bold woman stepping into the world of detective work. Set against the backdrop of a society bound by traditions and expectations, the series follows the spirited Miss Scarlet as she takes charge of her father's detective business in a time when such roles were typically reserved for men.
Jan 4, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
jaeseu
I came to this site with the introduction of a friend around me,
and I was very impressed when I found your writing.
I'll come back often after bookmarking!

??? ?? ???
??? ?? ???
??? ???
??? ?? ??
??? ??
https://www.j9korea.com
Jan 25, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
It was very useful to be the part of them and by reading their mentioned guidance! You should also take a survey at this site it is great and will be very helpful!
Jan 17, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Wow24-7.io has done a masterful job of administratively supporting the service. Together, we have explored how to effectively communicate, partner, and work together to improve their interaction models. I also look forward to evolving with them over.
Sep 26, 2022   |  Reply
 
 
Robin
So glad you mentioned the gun loving brother on the Durrells. It all sounds like an enjoyable evening although I’m still waiting to see how this new all creatures great and small holds up to the original, which I absolutely loved
Jan 17, 2021   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 1  | Go to page: