Asesinato en Provenza

The show started off slow, but has picked up the pace I've enjoyed it now that it has told a little of the main characters background it's gotten better. I hope they will give this show a chance and have more episodes.

With Roger Allam (Endeavour) and Nancy Carroll (Father Brown) in the lead roles, I was expecting this series to be a bit more engaging, but the plot wasn't anything special. This show is kind of a slightly swearier, less quirky version of The Madame Blanc Mysteries, but without the 'will-they-won't-they' romance as here the couple are already established, which works just as fine. There's nothing majorly wrong with MiP, but storywise I felt like I'd seen it all before. The best thing about both of these French-set detective series is having 50+ leads female and male, as that hasn't been done enough.

This kind of British cozy is right up my alley and of course both leads are part of the repertoire. She for Father Brown and he for Endeavor. I have watched episode 1 and I feel they haven't quite got the rhythm. It's good but kind of like a Bentley with a flat tire. Are they aiming for The Thin Man? The dialogue is snappy, witty repartee but neither seem like its something they would really say, especially him. She is reprising her role from Father Brown, oh so bored and sophisticated, but it runs very wide of the mark. He's better but I find I can't believe he's from an ultra-rich Parisian family. Nevertheless, I kind of like it and I hope they settle in. I love the settings, her clothes are such fun and it has promise.

Slow cooking, slow investigation, rather a pretext than the real thing. Beauty of life, places food, wine, what not to enjoy. Do not expect a real criminal story, although it is there. Just relax and admire the location. Ang if you ever watched Father Brown, you will be happy to see Lady Felicia (Nancy Caroll) at her best.

Okay, so it's not real heavy and the stories are simple instead of complicated but Provence is undoubtedly the star of the show and we get that in spades. Some of the characters are not the best actors but there is a certain je ne se quoi between the two main characters (played by Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll) that is believable and since we are in the same demographic, we can definitely relate. An added bonus is the role of Helene played by Keala Settle, who is quite different than the formula cops in most British crime series. Yes, the setting is in France and we have to believe that everyone (mostly) is French even though they are nearly all speaking in their distinctly English dialects and mannerisms. No violence, sex, cursing or gore but with all the prerequisite gays, mixed race relationships, and any other politically correct character necessary for a series today. Just lighthearted, whimsical dry wit and charm. Enjoy.