Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel is vulgar, blunt-talking, politically incorrect, and often insensitive. He's from the old school of policing and relies on his instinct, knowledge of human nature and experience to get results. Warren Clarke, one of Britain's best-loved actors, gives a consummate performance as the politically incorrect, no-nonsense copper with a penetrating wit and questionable personal habits.
Dalziel does not suffer fools gladly, but he has even more trouble with what he calls the "smart arses" of this world. So when the inexperienced, soft-spoken, whiz-kid graduate Peter Pascoe (Colin Buchanan) joins his team at Mid-Yorkshire CID, he is in for a rough ride.
Pascoe is the perfect foil as Dalziel's cultured side kick. One of the new breed of career police officers, he is armed with a degree in Social Sciences, a caring attitude and a sharp brain. At first Pascoe is somewhat taken aback by his brash and ballsy boss, but it soon becomes apparent there is more to Andy Dalziel than meets the eye.
The funniest and most endearing team in British crime detection are based on the best-selling novels of award-winning writer, Reginald Hill.
“Ruling Passion”
Pt 1: April 15 WKNO / April 16 WKNO2 9 PM
Pt 2: April 22 WKNO / April 23 WKNO2 9 PM
This intriguingly convoluted storyline is littered with literary references (author Reginald Hill named two of his characters, Davenant and Etherege, after the 17th-century playwrights).
While visiting old university friends in rural Oxfordshire, Pascoe and a heavily pregnant Ellie are devastated when they discover the bodies of their hostess Rose and two of her guests, all shot dead. Another friend has gone missing. As the investigation develops, they are drawn into a world of snobbery and petty jealousies.
Meanwhile in Yorkshire, Dalziel is investigating a series of burglaries, in which the thief (The Wetherton Micturator) leaves a bizarre calling card, and discovers a link with a flamboyant antiques trader.
“A Killing Kindness”
Pt 1: April 29 WKNO / April 30 WKNO2 9 PM
Pt 2: May 6 WKNO / May 7 WKNO2 9 PM
The death of a young girl at a local fair is the third case of bizarre ritual murder for Dalziel and Pascoe. The serial killer is known as the Choker because of his habit of strangling his victims. After every slaying, the killer calls the local newspaper and quotes a different line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
As the murders continue, the police turn to a fortune-teller for clues. Suspicion falls on a local gypsy camp and drama teacher, Mark Wildgoose, seems to be linked to the killings.
Meanwhile, Pascoe’s home life is in disarray as he tries to come to terms with fatherhood.
“Deadheads”
Pt 1: May 13 WKNO / May 14 WKNO2 9 PM
Pt 2: May 27 WKNO / May 28 WKNO2 9 PM
“I know this is Yorkshire but this is the daftest yet,” says Andy Dalziel about this mystery. “It is not so much a whodunit, but more of a did-he-do-it,” says screenwriter Alan Plater. “It is also a bit of a homage to Reginald Hill’s fellow crime novelist, Patricia Highsmith. He even gave her surname to one of his characters.”
Flamboyant businessman and Dalziel’s old friend, Dick Elgood, accuses one of his employees, rose-enthusiast Patrick Alderman, of trying to murder him. When Pascoe starts to investigate, he discovers a trail of suspicious deaths in Alderman’s past. Each one has benefited him in some way.
The case becomes complicated when Pascoe’s wife, Ellie, strikes up an unlikely friendship with Alderman’s wife, Daphne. As the two women grow close, Daphne reveals a history of marital and financial problems.
Meanwhile, attending a police conference, Dalziel bumps into an old flame, but his fumbling attempts to rekindle the passion result in a bloody nose. |
