Ash & Scribbs

An American chap commented earlier that 'This is the *best* whodunit mystery show that I have scene {sic} in years'. He then names some American copper-dramas that he thinks are inferior to this. I don't know the shows to which he refers, so all I can say is, well, if this is 'the *best*' then American television must really be in dire straits. MiS isn't even really a 'whodunit mystery show' at all, is it? I mean, the writing is so weak that it is not unusual for the perpetrator to come out of the attic in the last five minutes of the programme. What ever happened to the principle that the guilty party should be seen -- but not recognised -- in the _first_ five minutes?

Actually, I think the IMDb classification of this programme as Crime/Drama is altogether wrong. I think it should be Crime/Comedy. It's the banter and the inter-personal exchanges that make this programme, not the crime-solving aspect. (Have you noticed, for example, that no one else in the police station ever speaks, except for the three leads?)

This is a fantasy programme and should be appreciated as such. If our Yank friend thinks this is good 'whodunit', then he might well be interested in exploring other of the many -- and many _better_ -- of the British police / crime / mystery series over the years.

cheers,

Henry

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.

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.

For an American saturated with "CSI," "Law & Order," and their spin-offs and clones, "Murder in Suburbia" is completely refreshing. This is the *best* whodunit mystery show that I have scene in years. The show ran on BBC America here in the U.S., in late 2004 and early 2005.

The show revolves around a Detective Duo: DI Kate 'Ash' Ashurst (Caroline Katz) and DS Emma 'Scribbs' Scribbins (Lisa Faulkner). 'Ash' and 'Scribbs' are both single, young women, with 'Ash' having a higher rank than 'Scribbs.' During each episode, the Duo lament about their single lives, which provides for the lighter moments in the show. Jeremy Sheffield also stars as DCI Sullivan, the Duo's boss.

This is not "CSI" or "Crossing Jordan," where in those series, technology tends to 'solves' the crime more than old-fashioned gumshoe brainpower. Each episode (so far) concentrates on a single murder, rather than two separate murders, which is the usual formula of "CSI" or 'Jordan.' This show is concerned with the mystery of the murder and paints a much fuller picture of the victim's life and situation, than most shows. It also helps that the run time for each episodes about 52 minutes (without commercials) compared to the forty-some minutes for most hour-long U.S. series.

The show is very faithful to the whodunit formula, allowing the viewer to try to solve the crime along with main characters. When the Duo interviews someone, this is not one or two questions, but many questions, which can be in rapid-fire succession, packing a lot more information than most mystery series. Fingerprints and DNA do play a role in the mysteries, but they are secondary to the *WHY* of the murder.

The *WHY* of the murder is the most intriguing aspect of each episode. Each episode shows a hidden layer of suburbia, from sophisticated dating services, real "wife-swapping," hidden pasts, and more.

If you prefer dark and gritty "crime dramas" or are looking for developed main characters, this series is probably not for you. But if you are looking for an intriguing whodunit with a bit of humor and where the mystery is the focus of each episode , this series is for you.

There are always crimes afoot on Wisteria Lane. Suppose you sent a fashionable version of Cagney & Lacey to investigate them. This is the basic effect of 'Murder in Suburbia'.

Just like 'Desperate Housewives', it manages to combine a good story with a generous helping of humor. The crimes are suitably bizarre, and the interplay between Ash and Scribbs as the two single police officers is a lot of fun.

This is not like most American mysteries which are heavy on procedures and tend to be very somber. This one is strong on character and very light hearted.

If you enjoy 'Midsomer Murders' you will probably enjoy this, and if ABC doesn't option the US rights to this show as a companion piece for 'Desperate Housewives', they're nuts.