Have always adored detective dramas/mystery series. This has been apparent from an early age, half my life even, when getting into Agatha Christie through Joan Hickson's Miss Marple and David Suchet's Poirot and into 'Inspector Morse'.
Whether it's the more complex ones like 'Inspector Morse' (and its prequel series 'Endeavour') and anything Agatha Christie. Whether it's the grittier ones like 'A Touch of Frost' (though that is balanced brilliantly with comedy too). And whether it's the light-hearted ones like 'Murder She Wrote'. 'Taggart' is one of the biggest examples of the grittier ones, especially the Mark McManus years and the earlier James MaPherson episodes.
"Double Jeopardy" is good. It drags slightly at times, but its biggest issue is Munich being as said no match for Glasgow (very much a character of its own and a big part of the show's success) and it doesn't look appealing or authentic, Yet what made 'Taggart' such a good show when it was in its prime is evident here and the tone has been established well. The characterisation here is meaty enough, something that was improving all the time within this particular period of the show's run, therefore more interesting with more development to Taggart.
Despite the setting not appealing, the photography is slick and atmospheric enough. The music matches the show's tone and has a good amount of atmosphere while the theme song/tune is one that stays in the memory for a long time. Really like Taggart and Jardine's chemistry here, which sees some priceless exchanges with them, and it is already more interesting and settled than with Taggart and Livingstone.
As to be expected, "Double Jeopardy" is thoughtfully scripted with nothing ridiculous happening and things being taken seriously without being too morose, the dry wit from Taggart balances well. The story is involving in its complexity with nothing being what it seems, making the most of the long length (have generally found the 2000s episodes too short and rushed) without padding anything out too much. Some parts are not for the faint hearted but nothing feels gratuitous and the investigations are compelling and with enough twists to stop it from being obvious.
There are more surprising endings in 'Taggart' to me, but the one here in "Double Jeopardy" is once again effective.
Good acting helps, with Mark McManus being a suitably tough and blunt presence throughout and James MacPherson being every bit his equal. The supporting cast and chemistry don't undermine them in any way, James Laurenson making the most impression.
Altogether, good. 7/10 Bethany Cox