Dangerfield

Ah Dangerfield. That name takes me back. Before I even start it is worth pointing out that this program should really be considered as two. There are the first two series and then the rest of it. The rest of it is nothing special. I watched little of the later series and recall even less. If every there was an advert for quitting whilst you're ahead or trying to keep you're assembled cast together Dangerfield is it. The cast changed, the car changed, the quality changed, hell in the end even the lead changed, Dangerfield without a Dangerfield?

But, and it's a big but, there were the first two series. These were a totally different kettle of fish. Maybe it is nostalgia clouding my memory but I can't help remembering them fondly. A good cast and enthralling stories, all set against (what seemed to me as) the ever golden Warwickshire countryside in summer, it's enough to make you want to become a GP.

Essentially three things spring to mind when I think of the name Dangerfield. The first is fond memories of summers in my youth (I was born and bred not far form Dangerfield country) and the second is a question, why didn't the BBC persist in dragging it out for so long? (I know money and ratings). Finally there is the third, Nigel Hess' theme music which, for better or worse, will stay with me always.

Being a lover of medical dramas, and noticing way back in 1995 that this new

series about a widowed police surgeon (thus removing the cliché of hospitals) was starting, I decided to check it out. I was not disappointed.

Nigel le Vaillant (himself no stranger to medical drama after having been in

Casualty previously as a member of its hospital's staff) played Paul Dangerfield, who sort of has two medical jobs: one in a doctor's surgery and the other as

police surgeon for the local station. He had very little time for much of a social life (much to the distress of those he got romantically involved with, the favourite of mine being Dr Joanna Stevens, played by Amanda Redman in series 2), let

alone time for his son Marty (Sean Maguire, later Tim Vincent) and daughter Al (Lisa Faulkner, later Tamzin Malleson); all three are trying to cope after the sudden death of Paul's wife in a car accident. Until they moved house in Series 3 the piano she used to play remained, as did the painful memories for Paul...

In the first two series I thought there was a fine balance between Paul doing 'doctor' stuff and the case the police were on; in series three onwards this was lost somewhat, with the police investigation almost negating the need for Paul's real job (this may have been due to the changes in writers - they did seem to change a lot at this point); the only decent episode in the third and fourth series that seemed to have anything like the old formula was one where actor William Gaminara played the part of a fake doctor.

At the end of series four we were introduced to Dr Jonathan Paige, played by

Nigel Havers ('Chariots Of Fire'), who had a little more lightheartedness than the serious Paul, and replaced him for series five (the final series) after the

departure of Le Vaillant at the end of series four. Sadly, gone was the surgery and the other doctors etc., instead with Paige working solely as police surgeon. Although it was slightly better in content than the third and fourth series,

somehow it lacked the charm and variety of the first two.

So, to sum it up. Series 1 & 2 are great, but be prepared for disappointment after those two.

I decided to binge watch Dangerfield and really got into it but was mortified at what I saw on series 3. Firstly, everything seemed 'different', for starters the two teenagers, Marty and Al had had head transplants and it seems Dangerfield never noticed?! Then the car had changed, Boozy the adorable pooch had disappeared, I loved seeing Boozy so why send him to the pound? Also, where is the Hawk and Terri the scientific officer? Both vanished after series 2?!

Then detective inspector Ken had gone even the receptionist at the surgery had been replaced. I effect, it was a totally different series so I stopped watching it. The storylines in episode 3 were dire so gave up watching. Why totally change the series and spoil it?

So, by all means watch series 1 and 2 but then, I suggest you, give up unless you want to be disappointed and heartbroken. Really sad but illustrates just how writers and the producers can get it so wrong.

Dangerfield was a classic series, one of the old school of TV series that relies on a strong story and cast rather than a crash bang wallop of special effects. As well as launching the careers of two of British TV's sexiest soap doctors (Namely Lisa Faulkner - Dr Vitoria Merrick - Holby City and Tamzin Malleson - Dr Kate Brady - A&E) Dangerfield brought us the life of a Police surgeon Paul Dangerfield. His wife had been killed in a car crash and he was struggling to cope with the task of dealing with two teenagers Marty & Al (played initially by Sean Maguire & Lisa Faulkner). Everyone could relate to someone in this and the first series saw Al's boyfriend die in a tragic hiking accident and Marty struggle to find himself - and a job!

At the end of series one both Maguire and Faulkner quit leaving the producers the unenviable task of finding replacements! Faulkner's raw sex appeal had made her a favourite with male audiences and most male teenagers had every reason to relate to Maguires inspired portrayal of the sensitive and intense Marty. The casting of Tamzin Malleson as Al was inspired, in a complete contrast to Faulkner, Malleson had the beauty of the classic English rose, and a totally different style, so the charactor changed out of all recognition coping with being a single mother trying to strike out on her own. Maguire proved more difficult to replace the producers turning to former BluePeter presenter Tim Vincent who though had the looks lacked Maguire's charismatic style and in comparison was perhaps a little wooden, but still managed to turn in a credible performance. Nigel Le Vaillant quit in 1997 leaving the show in the capable hands of Nigel Havers. His charactor didnt have the teenage children or the emotional problems of his predecessor making the show dependant on its Police storylines rather than its previously disfunctional family orientated plots! Havers did a great job, but something was missing - namely Al and Marty who for this viewer made the series so memorable.