Doctor Lucien Blake is drawn into the new world of TV when contestants of a successful TV Quiz Show start dying.Doctor Lucien Blake is drawn into the new world of TV when contestants of a successful TV Quiz Show start dying.Doctor Lucien Blake is drawn into the new world of TV when contestants of a successful TV Quiz Show start dying.
Photos
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Stanford-Binet Classification of Intelligence: 140 and above: Very Superior; 120-140: Superior; 110-120: High Average; 90-110: Normal or Average; 80-90: Below Average; 70-80: Borderline; 50-70: Moron; 25-50: Imbecile; 0-25: Idiot;
Cretin is not a classification on the scale.
- GoofsTelevision was not rolled out in Ballarat till 1961. Doctor Blake Mysteries is set in 1959.
- SoundtracksThat's Showbiz
Written by Tim Garland (as T. Garland)
Featured review
Who wants to be a murder victim?
'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' may not quite be among my favourite shows of all time, but it's a riveting series that keeps getting better and one of the better detective drama shows in recent years. It is always fascinating to see a mystery series from outside England and America, and 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' is one of the better examples.
Unfortunately, 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' tends to be buried within daytime television scheduling, both on the BBC when first getting into it three or so years ago and on not as much watched channel (i.e. Alibi). It also tends to be aired at a time where most people will be at school or work, for me it was during sporadic periods when not needing to go into music college. The series deserves much better than that when it has consistently been one of the better shows to be aired in the early afternoon.
All the previous episodes are very good to great. Season 1 has not yet faltered, and "Game of Champions" is one of the best episodes of a solid season, that has not yet fully settled but is finding its feet and started to settle quite well. The pace lustre isn't always there, but that's not a major issue at all.
"Game of Champions" is interesting for seeing how TV quiz shows worked in the post-war period, and yes seeing £1000 as treated at a significantly more value than today is always a fascination even when you know it already. The big twist was an unexpected shock, the most surprising twist easily of the first season.
Like the rest of the series, "Game of Champions" is exceptionally well made. The post-war period is beautifully evoked in the sumptuous but also atmospheric settings and scenery and charming costumes and period detail. It is beautifully shot and atmospherically lit, the dark grey-ish tinge being very appropriate and adding much to the overall feel of the episode. It is scored sensitively and the haunting theme tune gets embedded in the brain, while the direction is suitably restrained.
For so early on, the writing is very good with the tone established very well. There is great thought-provoking dialogue that always makes the mystery elements interesting but the atmosphere doesn't ever feel too grim. The story is generally riveting, if at times slow, suspensefully written and you care about having it solved. The solution is not obvious nor is it too complicated, very neat without being too pat. The characters are well written and more than just stereotypes, already Lucien Blake is a fascinating protagonist.
Craig McLachlan is superb in the role as well, quite possibly his best role and certainly the best acting he's ever done. He seemed an unlikely choice at first, but the character suits him perfectly. All the acting is very good actually, and seldom if ever any less. The relationships between the characters are well worth investing in.
In summary, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Unfortunately, 'The Doctor Blake Mysteries' tends to be buried within daytime television scheduling, both on the BBC when first getting into it three or so years ago and on not as much watched channel (i.e. Alibi). It also tends to be aired at a time where most people will be at school or work, for me it was during sporadic periods when not needing to go into music college. The series deserves much better than that when it has consistently been one of the better shows to be aired in the early afternoon.
All the previous episodes are very good to great. Season 1 has not yet faltered, and "Game of Champions" is one of the best episodes of a solid season, that has not yet fully settled but is finding its feet and started to settle quite well. The pace lustre isn't always there, but that's not a major issue at all.
"Game of Champions" is interesting for seeing how TV quiz shows worked in the post-war period, and yes seeing £1000 as treated at a significantly more value than today is always a fascination even when you know it already. The big twist was an unexpected shock, the most surprising twist easily of the first season.
Like the rest of the series, "Game of Champions" is exceptionally well made. The post-war period is beautifully evoked in the sumptuous but also atmospheric settings and scenery and charming costumes and period detail. It is beautifully shot and atmospherically lit, the dark grey-ish tinge being very appropriate and adding much to the overall feel of the episode. It is scored sensitively and the haunting theme tune gets embedded in the brain, while the direction is suitably restrained.
For so early on, the writing is very good with the tone established very well. There is great thought-provoking dialogue that always makes the mystery elements interesting but the atmosphere doesn't ever feel too grim. The story is generally riveting, if at times slow, suspensefully written and you care about having it solved. The solution is not obvious nor is it too complicated, very neat without being too pat. The characters are well written and more than just stereotypes, already Lucien Blake is a fascinating protagonist.
Craig McLachlan is superb in the role as well, quite possibly his best role and certainly the best acting he's ever done. He seemed an unlikely choice at first, but the character suits him perfectly. All the acting is very good actually, and seldom if ever any less. The relationships between the characters are well worth investing in.
In summary, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•56
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 3, 2018
Details
- Runtime54 minutes
- Color
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content