Shetland

The 6 episode second season is a gripping, complex tale with not just the one murder that starts it, but eventually a handful. Characters and plot are introduced and revealed bit by bit, in a way that keeps you wanting more.

It is like three or four different onions that are peeled back one at a time, you just are never sure which one is being peeled, and whether it is a good one or a bad one. Eventually they start to come together, but never in quite the way you might have guessed. The ultimate denouement is action packed - right up to the last 10 minutes of the series.

Then the whole plot is revealed in a highly improbable manner in a monologue by a single character, with even a key fact being announced when the character could have had no knowledge of it. So disappointing after such a riveting series. I was ready to rate the series a 10 until the last 10 minutes. But don't let this deter you from watching it - other than that the show is really good.

After a good pilot and a fairly good first full series I feel that Shetland is starting to come into its own, this second full series has started in fine form, it's somehow more slick, more meaty, the stories seem a bit bigger.

I have forever been a big fan of Douglas Henshall, he's a truly talented actor, I've always found him to be an excellent villain, a great bad guy, but finally a show for him to have the lead role and show a different side.

The Pilot was really enjoyable, I thought Blue Lightning was a really good story, and the recent opener to the second full series was great too, loved the performance from Ciaran Hinds.

The mixed up story between Jimmy Perez, his daughter Cassie and her biological father Duncan is great.

An enjoyable series that hopefully will continue to run. 8/10

The recipe for comfort-detective-television is well established, starting with a community that is close-knit, picturesque and cursed with an improbably high murder rate, and adding a brooding, lonely, middle-aged male detective. And to an extent, 'Shetland' is pure formula milk. But there's something in the spectacular landscape that makes the stories affecting; and even if the role is thin, Douglas Henshall manages to invest it with a convincing, emotional gravitas that goes beyond what's written in the script. The plots aren't too bad either, although the low-key style (reiminiscent of the BBC version of 'Wallander') tends to defuse their dramatic effect. If allowed to run too long, this series will doubtless stale; but for the moment, it's still feels fresh, and as raw as the harsh Shetland climate.

10 stars for the seasons with Douglas Henshall.

I loved the first 7 seasons of this show. It had everything just right, characters, cast, setting, stories, love & intrigue.

I've enjoyed it a lot, watched it 2x even.

I just finished the 8th season without Douglas Henshall and I really had to make myself stick with it and watch the last couple episodes.

To be honest, I feel the show would've been better without the new woman, Ashley Jensen. Why not let Tosh and Sandy carry it? They could do that. Flesh out their characters, promote Tosh, and simply get a new lower ranking officer in to provide a bit of newness. That would've worked better.

I understand it isn't easy to replace Douglas as he is such a strong actor and has such a powerful aura. That's going to take time for the audience as well as the cast, but for some reason I didn't like the story either. I got bored with it, which is why after watching 4 episodes it took quite some time for me to get back to watching the last two.

It made me wonder if there was more going on outside the main storyline in the previous episodes.

Things will probably get a bit easier with the next season, if there is going to be one.

I'm thinking that maybe it'd be best to simply call it quits. It'd be a shame not to have more of the Shetlands, but it's also better to end it on a high and not let it go down the drain.

In essence I don't like this new character.

There are few detective stories where the main character is not only a deductive, sharp-minded person, but also an honest, justice-loving, decent guy without a tormented past, or weaknesses, or complex moral contradictions. (I think of Foyle, who is also such a good guy and father, or Lewis, also in this vein.)

Here we have Jimmy Perez, which is so well performed and written that you simply fall for him and his humanity, though the cases often portray damaged people or bitter crimes.

I always say farewell to each season eagerly waiting for next year, so we can resume our tremendously pleasant and thrilling engagement with Shetland, their people and the characters in this show.

Plus the landscapes and the atmosphere, which are enthralling and make you yearn for the place even if you've never been there.

It is not a fast-action show, but very thrilling with a brilliant management of suspense, the whole who-dunnit thing and the gradual unveiling of the truth shared by the team. If you like detective series, really give it a try. It deserves a huge audience!