The Last Detective

Like a previous poster, I too thought of Dixon of Dock Green (which I remember from about 1956 - it was on every Saturday night) as I first watched "The Last Detective", which I just recently discovered. However, as I watched more of the series I began to realize that it's really quite different.

Firstly, Dixon was respected by his colleagues and bosses, whereas Dangerous is definitely not. Secondly, he lived with his daughter's family (his son-in-law was a detective in the same police station) and had a comfortable home life with people who loved him...again, totally different from poor Dangerous. Thirdly, Dixon refused promotion because he just wanted to be "an ordinary copper". I'm sure Dangerous would be delighted to be promoted, but because no one really realizes what a good job he does, it will never happen!

"Dixon of Dock Green" was made and broadcast on the BBC in the 50s up to the 70s, and certainly the ones I remember (50s and early 60s) featured cozy stories with happy endings and nothing really nasty. There were sad things, of course (like when the young policeman was killed) but mostly everything was all right in the end. "The Last Detective", while not wallowing in the nasty stuff, could certainly not be described as "cozy". Dangerous (wonderfully played by Peter Davison, a favourite since his Tristan days) is a very nice man, if a bit too ready to take all the abuse his colleagues heap on him. I would like to see him stand up for himself a bit more!

I am enjoying "The Last Detective" every bit as much as I enjoyed "Dixon of Dock Green" all those years ago and can't wait to see Series 4 on DVD.

The excuse for this gem of a series that it was losing viewers just doesn't ring true. From 1990 onwards every single programme was losing viewers due to sky TV, I'd like to think that many were videoing this and it never lost many viewers at all.

Anyway to the important stuff. Peter Davison is as ever brilliant. I watched him when I was a lad in "all creatures" and having read all the books thought he brought Tristan to life exactly the way Herriot wanted. Sean Hughes is a great foil, I also remember him as a young comedian and his show. The rest of the cast are top notch and you believe every character....even the daft ones. The cast progression through the series is paced very well letting you into each one a bit more, Emma Amos in particular.

All good things must end and people move on to new projects so this series must be remembered for what it was, classic British comedy drama which is done better here than anywhere else. A must see.

The Last Detective is a British series that combines good detective stories with a character study and a fair bit of humor especially for the genre.

Detective "Dangerous" Davies (Peter Davison) has the lowly rank of Constable despite having reached his middle years, he is kind and considerate to everyone, but his colleagues have mockingly nicknamed him Dangerous and his superiors have overlooked him. In fact Davies boss Detective Inspector Aspinall has said he will consider Davies to be last detective, the last to be considered for any investigation unless it meaningless and boring, in which case he will be first.

Davies in the midst of an amicable divorce from his wife and they share custody of their massive dog. His closest friend Mod is both philosophical and underemployed, because of this he often acts as a sounding board for his friend both for aspects of his work and his personal life.

The cases are often lesser crimes as befits his rank but sometimes they develop into other cases altogether, it's also somewhat refreshing to see something other than a murder being investigated. Davies despite his poor reputation amongst his colleagues is a fairly good detective mostly as a result of hard work as opposed to intuitive leaps.

Overall the cast is quite good, the bulk of the screen time goes to Peter Davison and he is very effective in low-key role, Sean Hughes as the eccentric Mod is also quite good and next in screen time.

I believe the series is best appreciated by those who are well acquainted with the British Police/Detective series although it's certainly not necessary. The majority of those series place considerable emphasis on rank, feature crusty or disagreeable detectives who are tolerated for their abilities and have little humor.

The series has thus far run four seasons, all of which are now available on DVD.

I'm 32 years old and somehow this reminds me of what I imagine Dixon of Dock

Green was like.

Each story is layered out with care and attention, good humor and the sort of warmth that only Peter D. can put into a performance. See his previous work in 'A very peculiar practice' or 'Meet the Braithwaits' for examples of what I mean.

It will never be as successful as 'Inspector Morse' or as breathtakingly fresh as 'Spooks' but to count these as negatives would be a mistake. Its like watching a favorite uncle telling a familiar and yet fascinating story. You know your in good hands and its very safe, but you just can't help but love it.

Its the St. Bernard dog of detectives.

When I say THE LAST DETECTIVE is a fairly lightweight show this is in no way meant as a criticism . It's the sort of hhhmmmm how can I put it ? not a comedy but neither is it a heavy serious detective drama like A TOUCH OF FROST or INSPECTOR MORSE . Starring the blandest Doctor Who ever Peter Davison ( Again by no means a criticism ) as DC Davies the episodes revolve more around the character's chaotic home life than the cases he solves . Sean Hughes steals the show as Mod Lewis a sort of Celtic huggy bear who walks dogs and gives Davies good advice .....

DAVIES : I think I'm being stalked

MOD : I knew a woman who wouldn't leave me alone . She'd follow me everywhere , buy me clothes and give me money

DAVIES : Did you go to the police ?

MOD : No . It'd be a cruel man who'd turn in his own mother

If you thought the above line was amusing you'll certainly like the show , but my major criticism is to do with the fact that it's shown on a peak time Friday night when much of the potential audience is down the pub . THE LAST DETECTIVE feels more like a show that would be far more successful shown on a late Sunday evening slot

Update: As of 2005 it's now shown on Sunday evenings . Thanks for listening ITV