Wycliffe

Wycliffe uses a dull knife of plodding detectery to pry these mysteries out of the gray sea and apparently endless you've-seen-one-you've-seen-them-all moorish landscapes. In almost every one the perpetrator and plot ending are revealed long before the hour is up. Revealed to the audience, that is. Wycliffe and his team take a bit longer. These are the bog-standard fare for older British detective series -- not much originality, not much emotion except the occasional bark of the boss when he is discommoded, lots of old ratty hotels and fusty pubs with less-than-winsome barmaids. A lot of the scenes consist of a couple of the detectives nursing beers in a bar in the evening, fussing about which direction the case should take next. They never agree. I'm watching almost all the episodes because I've already watched every other British mystery series a half dozen times. This is one of the least of these, my brethren.

Must say watching episodes of Wycliffe recently I found them very enjoyable. The much-respected Penguin TV Companion only gives 2 stars out of 4 for the series – I believe it to be better than that. I think Wycliffe may not be as punchy as Morse or quirky as Frost, but the stories and settings are interesting and the supporting actors in each episode give strong performances. The acting talent in Britain shows great depth.

I think that Jack Shepherd's performance as Wycliffe is considered by some to be too dour and laconic, but that's the way the character presents. There are plenty of other crime shows with more flamboyant and outgoing characters available for viewing. It's the difference between many of the main characters that makes them attractive or not, depending on individual taste. I like his personality and the way Shepherd portrays him.

The supporting characters played by actors Jimmy Yuill and Helen Masters as the two inspectors are great foils for Jack Shepherd's Wycliffe and add balance to the show. There are times when these two are at odds with each other's methods, but respect and a level of affection remains between them and is done realistically without the histrionics some other shows seem to think add colour to the narrative. And although office politics are a source of excellent humour in Frost, in Wycliffe it is portrayed realistically and in a way that enhances the story and has the ring of truth.

Maybe it's not as high profile as some others, but it is worth watching just the same.

"Wycliffe" is a windswept and rain-sodden Police drama. It is set in Cornwall, the most westerly county in England. Standard dress for plain-clothes detectives appears to be a scruffy grey polo-neck sweater and waterproofs.

The series centres around Detective-Superintendent Wycliffe, whose family life occasionally intrudes into the plots, and two subordinates: a woman Detective Inspector who has been pushed too fast into a senior rank, and a disillusioned male colleague.

Even looking piratical, the Police appear to be intruders into a comparatively isolated community. Some of the office politics which occasionally feature, deal with Wycliffe's aversion to the latest fashionable management trends from London being foisted onto his force.

"Wycliffe" is well worth watching the series for the scenery alone, and hearing the slow local accents.

Wycliffe ran for five years, gathering quite a loyal fan base. Jack Shepherd is strong in the title role, Wycliffe is intelligent, thoughtful and cool, if lacking a sense of humour somewhat. Aided by his competent team including DS Lane and DI Kersey, they solve mysteries in and around Cornwall. The Cornish setting is glorious and adds massively, gives the show a cosy feeling.

At times it can feel a little slow paced and a bit beige, you'll see more floral sofas then you can imagine. That said it can be very gritty and dramatic, without going overboard. Highlights include episodes such as dance of the Scorpions and Land's End, I think it gets better as it progresses.

It has dated a little, but still has lots to offer the mystery fan. If like myself you enjoy the likes of Hetty Wainthrop you're sure to enjoy this. 7/10

Despite the occasional slow tempo, Wycliffe is a wonderful detective series. It is gritty and tense, but there is something somewhat charming about it as well. The series is beautifully photographed, and the scenery is exquisite. The music, especially the main theme, is lovely and has a pleasant Cornish lilt to it. The series is well scripted and well constructed in terms of story lines as well, with the writing focused, thoughtful and sensitive and the story lines having their fair moments of grit and tension. And the acting is great, Jack Shepherd is superb as Wycliffe, who is quite old fashioned and conventional, and Helen Masters and Jimmy Yuill are also great as well developed supporting characters. Overall, a fine detective series, perhaps not the best out there, but it is very atmospheric thanks to the scenery and main theme music. 9/10 Bethany Cox