The Field of Blood

Paddy Meehan lands a job as a journalist, and quickly gets entangled in a murder. In a man's world, she battles against sexism and misogyny.

It's a real shame that this wasn't further developed, this show definitely had some mileage. The first episode, The Field of Blood, was terrific, it has so much content. The second two parter isn't the same standard I think, but it's still very good, it was great to see the show return.

Jayd Johnson is excellent throughout as Paddy, I am stunned that she hasn't had a prolific career since, I think she's excellent.

There was some terrific acting, David Morrissey and Peter Capaldi in particular were terrific. I also really liked Bronagh Gallagher as Paddy's mum.

It's very well produced, it looks marvellous, they really capture the visuals of the 1980's, and okay some cracking music too.

I wish there were more if them, 8/10.

This millennium has seen a big blooming of solid (mini-)series, often at the expense of films focusing on topics and audiences not to my taste any more. New angles and approaches have been developed or deepened, and distinct performers employed. Being a vast country with numerous distinct folks and regions, the UK has an endless potential to "fit in" crimes into dozens of places where local and tourists can have their joy of recognition.

The Field of Blooda takes us into the 1980ies Glasgow, when the biggest technical facilitators for both the police and journalism were pagers and then unconnected PCs... On the other hand, you could smoke and drink almost everywhere and a lot :) The crimes were still severe, and journalists have always had to "be creative" for obtaining information, but the world in those days was rather reserved than open.

Apparently the atmosphere is well created and the characters realistic, but the leading performance (Jayd Johnson as Paddy Meehan) fell down on two smaller performances - David Morrissey as Murray Devlin and Peter Capaldi as Dr. Pete Walker, particularly in dialogues. Thus "only" 7 points from me, as I have recently seen UK crime series more versatile and interesting, e.g. Shetland, What Remains, Luther, and others.

The second series of The Field of Blood returns to Glasgow and again blends politics, intrigue and the changing newspaper industry.

Once again we follow novice female reporter Paddy Meehan as she tries to make a career for herself. She is working the night shift on the call car with a tough reporter and she is soon following up a murder mystery.

The main backdrop is the Miners strike and the dirty tricks campaign against it.

However, we are also looking at new, tougher executives entering the newspaper industry, less principled and happy to do the dirty work for the government in a propaganda war.

There is no doubt the story takes place with the benefit of hindsight. With or without media help, the Miners strike was very unpopular in some quarters and most media outlets were very happy to be negative against the Miners Union with very little persuasion.

There is an element of looking back with rose tinted spectacles. It is a decent enough second series, we see Paddy's ongoing difficult relationship with her parents but nothing too special.

This is a good movie, with a well acting female lead as the newspaper copy-girl Patricia who dreams of becoming a reporter and stumbles upon clues on a child murder in the area. However it is not great, and the thick Glasgow accent of all involved makes it even less accessible to non English audiences.

I don't know why they called it a series, either, as it is really a two parter film. Maybe they intended to continue it with the adventures of this tiny girl in this tiny community of uber-Catholic tiny minded people, but what would have been the point?

Bottom line: a nice watch, with convincing acting and script, some thrills and a true glimpse of Glasgow in the 70-80's. Subtitles don't hurt, either. Peter Capaldi plays in this one, as a secondary character.

Why are there these great mini series made years without another season leaving us hanging? Good acting and interesting stories just wasted for some other tripe that's on I don't get it?