Dalgliesh Series 3 – Review
First Reaction – Dalgliesh Series 3 has a couple of slow episodes but a great last one.
Where to Watch
Dalgliesh Series 1 – 3 DVD Box Set, courtesy of Acorn Media International on 23 December 2024.
Director: Geoffrey Sax, Bertie Carvel, Roger Goldby
Writer: Colette Kane, Helen Edmundson (Screenplay)
Writer: P.D. James (Books)
Cast
- Bertis Carvel (The Tragedy of Macbeth)
- Carlyss Peer (The Great Escaper)
- Alistair Brammer (The Watched)
Plot: Follows Dalgliesh’s crime-fighting career from 1970s England to the present day.
Runtime: 45 Minutes per episode
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict on Dalgliesh Series 3
Death in Holy Orders
Death in Holy Orders follows the murder of Archdeacon Crampton. He is visiting the local church, which is already battling a scandal and a potential sale. The suspects include the religious figures there and the other visitors. DCI Dalgleish (Carvel) and DS Tarrant (Brammer) investigate the murder. The pair meet the suspects and look for answers to the murder.
The first case back moves at a slow pace despite being set in and around church grounds. It presents plenty of suspects and secrets the people hold. There is a look at how the church operates and covers up factors. However, the mystery doesn’t seem to get going and struggles to get out of first gear as no character is sticking out from the crowd. (2/5)
Cover Her Face
Cover Her Face follows a live-in maid who dies overnight in the aftermath of a big celebration. The host family has plenty of secrets and they must get exposed if Dalgleish is going to learn who is behind the murder.
This continues the idea of putting the detectives in a more singular location with a big household with secrets. It touches on a more sensitive subject for the era the show is set, with an Asian family being the one with wealth and people looking down on them. While the situation is an interesting twist on the class system, the mystery ends up feeling overly long for what we end up getting. (2/5)
Devices and Desires
Devices and Desires follows a potential serial killer operating near Kent. Dalgliesh is assigned to join his former partner DS Kate Miskin (Peer) investigating the murders. The victims worked for a power plant company and they have faced campaigns against their work. Meanwhile, Kate has her own challenges with this case as the pair work together to solve the case.
This is easily the best episode of the series and reunites Dalgliesh with Kate. The pair’s past takes over the episode even with the mystery being fascinating with them hunting a potential serial killer. It feels like a lot more is happening and far more engaging compared to the previous two. (4/5)
Dalgliesh Series 3
Dalgliesh Series 3 is the return of the series following the 70s detective solving more complex cases. Sadly, the show struggles to get going, with the pace of the episodes being way too slow, everything seems too serious and lacks any sparks. It could be argued it reflects more realistic detective work. The singular locations can make them feel like murder mysteries, rather than actual murders.
Final Thoughts –Dalgliesh Series 3 brings a calming presence to the murder mysteries.
