Vienna Blood

Very good and fresh crime-solving drama set in Vienna on the eve of the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Damned by a patronising and sneering review in the Observer, it is most enthraling.

This was as good, or even better, than anything I have seen in the genre for a long time. Never mind all the Sherlock comparisons, this was above all that. You don't have to like a character for them to be good. And, believe me, the acting was way better than many of the comparisons cited by some critics. Strong characters. Convincing set-ups. Credible plots and all this set against a background of the rising pan-European anti-semitism which culminated in the Nazis. Very pertinent to our own experience of a new rise of the Right across the globe. Timely, powerful and entertaining. So why only three????

First of all Vienna Blood based on the novels by Frank Tallis (no me neither) and developed for TV by Sherlock's Steve Thompson, is beautifully filmed, the whole production oozes quality from the costumes, script to acting. Maybe the lack of big name stars in the lead roles prevented the BBC from giving this show a more prominent slot on on BBC one. Which is a shame as the show has all the same qualities that made Sherlock such a successful worldwide hit. Set in Vienna at the start of the 20th century our dynamic duo played by Mathew Beard and Jurgan Maurer one an old school detective, his partner a student of Sigmund Freud plays a budding criminal psychologist and between them set out to solve a series of murders with the stunning backdrop of Vienna.

One minor criticism however in episode one we our exposed to a couple of graphic sex scenes. Which did not bother me but we're they really necessary? 8/10

Sure, this one has a lot of thanks to do to Sherlock Holmes, but that is also in the book series, that this series is based on. Good atmosphere, stunning environments. If you love periodic detective dramas, this one could also be for you.

I really enjoyed the first episode of this new BBC1 one detective series. Bringing a young doctor who has studied Freud to help the detective solve a bizarre string of murders makes for an exciting beginning! I didn't know any of the actors but the wonderful cast and settings around Vienna circa 1900 made for an excellent production. Can't wait to see the rest of this compelling series.