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In a nutshell, Waking the Dead is the British answer to CSI. Personally, I find the show more akin to "Cold Case" than to Grissom & Company. In any case, once one is past the similarities in going back to investigate cold cases and the sometimes detailed examination of forensic evidence, Waking the Dead charters waters relatively unknown in the States. As with most BBC productions, the characters are never prettified. The cold case team consists of the middle-aged Boyd and his peer and profiler, Grace. The main investigators are Spence and Mel; the only hint of sex appeal on the show. Frankie, the pathologist and forensics expert rounds out the team. None of the team are exceptionally good looking or sexy nor do they dress the part. In fact, Waking the Dead has moved further and further from exploring personal aspects of the main characters, focusing solely on the cases and the people involved. For instance, early plot lines involving Boyd's marriage (his lack of attentiveness; he even left his toddler son in the car while he went to a crime scene) and his missing older son, faded quickly after the first few episodes. Likewise tensions between Spence and Frankie, and a possible romantic link between Spence and Mel, have all given way to good plots and detailed characters outside of the team. Cases are pretty standard if one is familiar with the American "Cold Case" series. What makes these cases so delicious (in addition to the wonderful British accents) is that everyone just seems so real. Characters have eyebrows just itching to be trimmed (wait til you get a gander of Truelove in Season 2!), moles wanting removal or at least some makeup, and a host of simply normal human physical foibles. The cases are also generally not ridiculously complex or of global import. These are often cases of human error, weakness and secrets kept for generations. An old priest bludgeoned to death in a church shortly after a mysterious body is dug up in the crypt. A dead police woman with more than her share of psychotic admirers. A woman serving life for a brutal double murder she didn't commit. All of these and more involve realistic, gritty characters and simple, basic human emotions and problems often leading to horrible crimes. A wonderful series with tight performances by the regular cast and wonderful appearances by subcharacters in every episode.Read full review
It is definitely one of the British detective shows. Having a lead detective who is grouchy, a psychologist, pathologist, and other detectives to seek answers to cold cases makes for a pretty good drop. Trevor Eve is an outstanding British actor and does an excellent job in this series.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
If you are an anglofile, which I am, you will love this series. I have been to London over 40 times so I enjoy anything London. I also worked in the Legal field for 47 years. This is just so great to watch on a night when nothing else is on TV
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I first watched this show on PBS my local WKNO station, when they would air the reruns on Saturday nights. Ever since then I've been hooked.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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