Thu 9 Jan 2014
Reviewed by Geoff Bradley: JUDGE JOHN DEED: Third Series (2003).
Posted by Steve under Reviews , TV mysteries[4] Comments
JUDGE JOHN DEED. BBC, Series Three; 4 90 minute episodes: 27 November through 18 December 2003. Martin Shaw (Judge John Deed), Jenny Seagrove (Jo Mills), Barbara Thorn (Rita ‘Coop’ Cooper).
You may remember (but if you live in the US, probably don’t) that Deed is a pompous and arrogant judge who is a thorn in the side of the establishment because he refuses to bow to pressure from anyone, especially the government advisers who attempt to get him to toe the line on government policy. (The writer, G. F. Newman, is known for his antiestablishment views.)
I endured rather than enjoyed the previous series, but I have to confess that I quite enjoyed this one. Typically Deed gets to the bottom of the case in front of him by asking more questions than either of the two competing barristers, to their extreme annoyance.
One of the barristers in his cases always seems to be Jo Mills, his long time lover to whom he is always proposing. Sge sets the condition that he consults a therapist to confront his womanizing ways. He agrees and then rather predictably sleeps with the therapist.
This is another of those series not to be taken seriously for a moment but at times is quite fun, although I suspect the writer would want us to take it rather more seriously.
January 9th, 2014 at 3:20 pm
A series that I’ve been meaning to catch up with, but so far I haven’t, although all six seasons are available here in the US.
For much more about the overall series, check out its Wikipedia entry here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_John_Deed
January 9th, 2014 at 6:44 pm
This is available at one site (one of the free ones I think)I know and I’ve wondered about it without trying it or looking it up. I may try the third series based on Geoff’s article. I’m not a big fan of Martin Shaw, I found him a singularly uninspired Adam Dalgleish, but I will give this a try.
Interesting idea for a series, imagine how pretentious and heavy handed we’d do it over here.
January 9th, 2014 at 7:37 pm
I found the cast and the concept compelling with the exception of Season Four in its entirety. Jo Mills, played by Jenny Seagrove comes front and center with all her problems, personal and political, of the Oxfam variety. Martin Shaw is attractive and fun. Christopher Cazenove leaves the series as Simon Ward, an old friend of mine now like Christopher, gone, comes on and stirs the pot in a unique and British comedic way. Donald Sinden has a supporting part in most episodes as Judge John Deed’s former father-in-law and he runs with the ball for a touchdown whenever he is on. Caroline Langrishe plays Sinden’s daughter and the Judge’s former wife. A complex modern woman, sexy as hell with feelings she should not have in light of her considerable ambition. Louisa Clein plays their politically correct and active daughter in a way that makes me shudder. Should anyone like her, my share is available for free.
January 9th, 2014 at 10:48 pm
Barry
If Donald Sinden is in it, you have sold me.