"The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" In Divine Proportion (2005)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Brian Stirner

Writers:

Elizabeth George (character)
Julian Simpson (writer)

TV Series:

"The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" (2001)

Original Air Date:

17 March 2005 (Season 4, Episode 1)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

Inspector Lynley and Sergeant Havers are sent to a small village in East Anglia to investigate the murder...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Investigation | Village | Secret | Police

Cast

Louise Hickson	...	Samantha Walthew
Sylvestra Le Touzel	...	Paula Marshall
Craig Parkinson	...	Simon Dawkins
Nathaniel Parker	...	Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley
Jimmy Yuill	...	PC Pat Garratt
Sharon Small	...	Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers
Roderick Smith	...	Bob Harris
Simon Wilson	...	James Walthew
Richard Armitage	...	Philip Turner
Burn Gorman	...	Billy Verger
Adie Allen	...	Liz Hughes
James Buller	...	David Hughes
Eve Best	...	Amanda Gibson
Jamie Martin	...	PC Blackmore

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Followed by "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: In the Guise of Death (#4.2)" (2005)

Richard Armitage was definitely "In Divine Proportion!"

Firstly, I only watched this to see the lovely TDH* "Blue-Eyed Wonder" Richard Armitage as Phillip Turner. I've been a devoted fan of his since seeing him as John Thornton in the BBC's 2004 "North & South." Of course, I would have preferred seeing 90 minutes of RA being on-screen but it's called, "Inspector Lynley Mysteries" and not the "Richard Armitage Mysteries." LOL!

Secondly, the story was pretty interesting but there were a few gaping holes of credibility. It could have been better written and consistent. And frankly, too much time was spent on the byplay between Lynley and his Sergeant, Barbara Havers. Nearly five minutes of watching Havers breaking down in the tall, handsome Lynley's arms at the end was unnecessary. Especially since that time could have been inter-cut with updates on what happened to the other characters (i.e., Phillip Turner! After all, he did stand up heroically to the killer and get shot for his attempt at redemption!)

Thirdly, as this was the first full episode of "ILM" that I've ever watched, I'll reserve judgment about the series overall until I've watched the other three eps in this series. But, my overall impression was that both the writing and directing could use some sprucing up. I did like watching the TDH Nathaniel Parker and to some extent the SDP** Sharon Small prance around on-screen. But the pacing seemed very slow. I had expected to see it flowing better and the dialogue snappier. The two leads looked and sounded like they were running lines with each other rather than talking.

I guess I've just been spoiled by watching that old curmudgeon Inspector Morse before.

Overall, I did like it and watched it twice last night. I saw more things that I enjoyed the second time around since my attention wasn't quite as focused on wondering when RA would appear. Also, I liked Burn Gormley as Billy Verger. I'd just seen him as "Guppy" in "Bleak House" and liked seeing him in this very different role.

Now, I'm anxiously awaiting RA's performance as Claude Monet in the BBC's "The Impressionists" which should be broadcast sometime this Winter.

RA Rulez! LDB

*TDH (Tall Dark Handsome) **SDP (Small Dark Pretty)