Murder in Suburbia

This is a fun series. It bears little resemblance to either real-life murder investigations, or life in modern English suburbia, but it's very entertaining. You should know that, if you're ever murdered on a visit to England, your death will NOT be investigated by a 2 person team of glamorous models. Compared to the USA they don't have many murders in England. When they do, they put a large team on the case, led by senior police officers.

This series follows the American "partner" model, but is otherwise very British, especially in the low key humor. You won't actually care WHO "dunnit", but you will enjoy the banter, and "Scribbs" occasionally disrobes. I recommend it.

I have sampled a lot of series. I can be easily bored, and often I will last through two or three episodes, but then start to lose interest. This is not a slam on the various series, just a quirk with me. (If I'm really going to hate something, I'll know after one episode.)

This show did not follow that pattern with me, as I watched the first six in one sitting. It would be easy, at least as a Yank, to compare this to Midsomer Murders. And it wouldn't be far off to say it is a less over-the-top variation on that show. But that wouldn't be fair, as Caroline Catz and Lisa Faulkner are more believable as partners than either of the Barnabys and their various DSes. One review I saw called this show "wry," and that's a very good word for it. You won't bust out laughing very often (2-3 times per show), but you'll have a smile fixed on your face for the entire viewing.

Murder in Suburbia never takes itself seriously, as one would expect, but it has a certain sophistication nonetheless. Most of all, it is compulsively watchable and as comfortable as your favorite jeans.

Can't miss.

Certainly not "deep" or complicated but at least it's not "noir", violent, politically correct or perverse like so many cop shows of late. The two female leads are charming, funny and carry their respective types quite effectively so a bit of brains and sophistication with a dash of beer and chips which works. Sufficiently entertaining enough to make it through 12 episodes at least.

I stumbled upon this show on Britbox 20 years after it premiered, never heard of it before. Since it was an ITV production, my expectations were pretty low. But this is a delightful little show!

OK, the murder mysteries aren't that mysterious (which they really can't be in a 45 minute episode anyway). Halfway in, you usually know whodunnit. But that is not the point.

What makes this so enjoyable is the chemistry between Ash and Scribbs - and their boss. The dialogue feels very natural and totally believable, with lots of deliberate comedy moments that really work. I am especially impressed by Lisa Faulkner's brilliant acting - and her considerable charm.

Too bad they didn't give this show more than 12 episodes - could easily have run for another five years.

DI Ashurst and DS Scribbins, a.k.a. Ash and Scribbs, are pals and detectives in the northern community of Middleford. Each episode is about 50 mins long, and it's totally bingeable. The women have terrific chemistry and are very funny. They're also both very single, and a LOT of time is spent talking about men, dating, ragging on the guys they're dating, wondering why they can't find anyone to date. To complicate matters, they both have huge crushes on their boss, the admittedly dishy DCI Sullivan, but are smart enough to not risk THAT HR complication. I slightly preferred more episodes in S2 than S1, but it's a decently amusing watch if you don't get tired out by all the single ladies talk.