sashascarlett Reviews

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (2012–2015)

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, Season 1

[9/10 · 27 November 2016]

Hmmm. Wasn't sure about this program that I decided to binge watch over the Thanksgiving Holidays. Delighted that I did. It is not deep mystery or action-packed excitement. It is plucky heroine and Jessica Fletcher light with Miss Marples-styled whodunits that conclude efficiently in an hour, but the mystery is not the reason to watch this show. The cast lead by a charming and delightful Essie Davis makes this a must see. I love her character and her frump of an assistant, Dot (Ashleigh Cummings). Her posturing with Jack Robinson (Nathan Page), a "real" detective is sexy and witty and completely different than other similar police-fish out of water romances (it is dry as sherry and the two have real chemistry). Hugh (played by Hugo Johnstone-Burt) especially in scenes with Dot are burgeoning with young romance and tingle with the sensation of realness. The other supporting cast, most notably Miriam Margolyes (who usually plays a frumpy English peasant woman but here plays a frumpy English aristocrat) is excellent as are the two men, Miss Fisher hires to do handy-work (and spy work) and her butler, Neil Melville, a delight if bordering on camp.

Easy on the eyes, the costumes (British award winner, Marion Boyce) is a dream come true. Davis looks stunning in everything and everything looks stunning on Davis. Watch this with a cup of tea and a gentle heart and you will walk away charmed and enchanted by the magic this cast makes. A delight with a pinch of sardonic mystery added in for posterity.

The Killing (2011–2014)

The Killing - All Seasons

[10/10 · 27 November 2016]

Stunning, brilliant, searing and unending emotional commitment from stars Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman. Kinnaman has gone on to a little project called Suicide Squad and is leading man material - I like that he is a unorthodox hero that's been dragged thru the gutter, an ex-junkie with a heart of a lion. Enos is the surprise here. Feral, caustic work and she is often unlikable and yet you love her for her humanity. The series has tough police work and tough cases that are unflinching and, at times, stomach churning. Excellent supporting work from Billy Campbell (career best) and Brent Sexton and Michelle Forbes' scenes - particularly early on is literally the best thing you will ever see on television. She and he both deserve Emmys.

The best season is Season 4 and it is heartbreaking and breathtaking at the same time. I will not spoil the ending, but I will say this. I was sobbing as it came to an end hoping and wishing it would not conclude with such adroit and dry-eyed heaviness and I was rewarded. I cheered thru my tears. I cheered for my television. I cheered for writers that found humor and home and love in this mess of a show and that's why I am rating it 10 Stars! The Killing wears it's heart on it's sleeve and beats you senseless and - at the end - gives you the one emotion that truly matters. Watch and you'll know what I mean.