Dalziel & Pascoe: Season 6

Although the actors in these shows seem to faithfully reflect the characters developed by author Reginald Hill, the stories are not all written by him. Once again, I must recommend that American viewers turn on English subtitles to assist with the vernacular of Yorkshire, England. I had almost no trouble understanding what was taking place, but I had subtitles turned on. There are four episodes in Season 6.The first episode is titled “Walls of Silence.” The first thing I noticed was that the screen graphics had changed: titles, actors names, producer, director, etc. Also, Pascoe’s hair is shorter. There might have been one, but I did not see a screen credit for the writer, so I do not know who wrote this episode. Pascoe’s divorce must be final because there is a reference to him dating a different woman, and the former Assistant Chief Constable from the last season has now been replaced by another female ACC. The story begins with a symphony orchestra concert with a solo performance by a gifted young cellist named Alec. Later, Alec’s body is pulled from a lake after having drowned. It was suicide, wasn’t it? The medical examiner determines that Alec’s blood contained alcohol and the powerful date-rape drug known as “roofies.” Soon, another death takes place at the school where Alec was a student. His classmate and friend, Sophie, commits suicide after learning that she was pregnant, and that she would be expelled from the school, just before she is to enter the university for advanced studies.Complicating the plot is the fact that Andy Dalziel had killed the boy’s mother in a tragic auto accident ten years earlier while he was engaged in a high-speed police chase trying to catch the getaway driver from a gang of robbers. That driver escaped, but the seven year-old boy, and Andy Dalziel, were left indelibly marked by the death of the woman. Now, ten years later, Dalziel sees a connection between the events of that night, and the recent death of the boy. He tracks down a key witness, even though the new ACC has removed him from the case.The deaths are solved, all loose ends are tied up, and Dalziel returns to his job by the end of the episode. This show was a bit better than the past few were. But it still smacks of American television, rather than the high-quality drama usually presented by the BBC. As always, the acting is extraordinary, with one exception. I thought the actor who played the dead boy’s father gave a rather lifeless performance. This is a three-star episode.The second episode is titled “Home Truths” The opening scene shows anti-racism protestors marching at night through the streets of a city. The scene changes to an angry, noisy meeting between two opposing groups: one, mostly white and represented by a member of the city council, is opposed to the other, mostly Indian (Sikh), and represented by a wealthy Indian businessman and his daughter. After the meeting, the daughter is assassinated while walking away with her father, and everybody, including the local police, believe that it was her father who was really the target. Everyone but Dalziel believes that the motive was political. Andy isn’t so sure.The city police have been overwhelmed by strife and violent protests, so Andy Dalziel and his team of detectives have been dispatched to the city and put in charge of the investigation. We are not told which city it is (York? Leeds?). As soon as they arrive on the scene, the local Detective Chief Superintendent, a woman, lets Dalziel know that he is not welcome on her “patch.” She tries to get him removed from the case, but without success. In the end, it is Dalziel who solves all three of the murders that ensue, and he makes amends with his rival police superintendent by the end of the show.Pascoe, in the meantime, is having an affair with the local pathologist, who also consults at an abortion clinic. Pascoe’s daughter Rosie is scheduled to come to Wetherton for a visit. Will she make it? Will Pascoe’s relationship with his new love interest survive the fact that she has hidden her relationship with the abortion clinic from him? Watch the show to find out.The acting in this episode is quite good, although Pascoe’s personality is becoming less appealing. This episode rates four stars.The third episode, “Secrets of the Dead,” was written by Tom Needham. The story is complicated. Pascoe travels to Florida in the United Stated to visit his daughter, Rosie, and to meet Ellie’s new love interest. Coincidently, Florida is about to be struck by Hurricane Andy. Dalziel learns that he has a son—a child he never knew about. DS Wield is passed over by Dalziel for a temporary promotion to Detective Inspector in Pascoe’s absence. Once again, a woman from Dalziel’s past is central to the plot.All loose ends are neatly tied up by the end of the show, and the murderer is identified—but not until three victims have been murdered. This episode was a bit better than most recent episodes, and I award it four stars. It was entertaining and well-acted. It also seemed to be written in the same vein that Reginald Hill wrote his novels. I liked it.The fourth episode of Season 6 is titled “Truth and Consequences.” It was written by Elizabeth-Anne Wheal and David Gilman. The opening scene portrays striking miners clashing with police in 1984 when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher put down the strikes using police force. In the next scene, we see a body being removed from the back of a station wagon in 1984 and dragged into a closed mine at night, and in the rain.Flash forward twenty years and protestors are, again, clashing—this time with construction workers who are in the process of demolishing the now-abandoned mine. One protester climbs into the cab of a large back-hoe and grabs the operator, who momentarily loses control of the machine, which knocks down a brick wall and exposes a skeleton. Presumably, the skeleton is the remains of the body from 1984.The police had put an undercover officer in with the striking miners in 1984, and the miners did not realize he was a mole. A charity group from the city donated a quarter of a million pounds to the families of the striking miners, and three of them traveled to the city to retrieve the funds, all of which was in cash. When they returned, one of the miners (who happened to be the policeman) disappeared, along with the money. The lead investigating officer on the case was Andy Dalziel, and he is now assigned the case of investigating the skeleton, too. His sister lives in the mining village, but she is hostile to him, as are the other local residents, who hate police.Pascoe is recruited by a mysterious Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Chalker of the National Crime Squad to probe deeper into the investigation without Dalziel’s knowledge. Pascoe, DS Wield and DC Novello all become suspicious of Dalziel, and remain suspicious until the end of the episode when the truth is revealed. Not, however, before more deaths occur.The story was not too difficult to follow, and I thought it was well-written. As always, the acting is outstanding. I enjoyed this episode, which earned a rating of four stars. As a whole, Season 6 of Dalziel & Pascoe warrants a solid four stars. Very good British television.

Season six (6) of the great British detective/murder/mystery series "Dalziel & Pascoe" takes place in the year 2000 and it finds our heroes, the rough, loud, chain-smoking Andy Dalziel (fabulously acted by Warren Clarke) and the suave, well educated and gentler Peter Pascoe (wonderfully acted by Colin Buchanan) solving horrendous cases with help from computers thus bring our sleuths into the 21st century. As before, Dalziel is an extremely good detective with keen intelligence and insights and Pascoe is also an extremely good detective in solving the four (4) ninety (90) minute cases on two discs. Again in Season six (6) what makes Dalziel character so appealing is that on the surface he comes across as just being a rather cynical, rather surly uncouth man when in reality Dalziel is a good compassionate and caring very smart Detective and Clarke plays this seemingly uncouth but highly intelligent person "to the hilt". One grows to really admire the character (as I did in this season-- see the 1st episode; it's a stunner) of Dalziel.Season six (6) of this series is so very good with finely acted, directed and written mysteries--I love this British murder/mystery series .

This is one of the several British murder mysteries that I follow season after season. Not sure if I would want Dalziel as a drinking buddy by I would want him on the case to solve my murder. Then again, maybe his faults and Pascoe's faults are a big draw - these are real people that have tough jobs. They don't always like each other but each respects the other's abilities. They don't play tough guys and beat up people. They investigate. That makes it a good watch.

I am an unabashed fan of Reginald Hill's Dalziel and Pascoe. I've read all the books. Heck, I own all the books.I have really liked all of the episodes that were based on the books, and the episodes in this set are well done, too.SPOILER ALERT. But why did they have to dump Ellie? I read the excuses in the blogosphere and find them weak. I read brief interviews or descriptions of conversations with Reginald Hill who seemed to gently disavow what had been done when the characters were out of his control.However, after gritting my teeth for a bit, I still am a fan, and these episodes are excellent.

I love Dalziel, but Pascoe not so much. I'm beginning to detest his character and hope they do something better with him in the future. I read the books, which are much more detailed, of course, and which do not have the constant one-up-manship going on between the two lead characters. The mystery stories, themselves, do not disappoint. I will continue buying these DVD's if they keep making US formats available.

As noted in other reviews, this series was broadcast for many years several years ago in the UK--so why, one wonders, the slow trickle of releases? Colin Buchanan is adequate as the straight guy--but Warren Clarke, one of the greatest British actors of his generation--steals the show. Has anyone picked his nose with such elegance? A fabulous production, all-around, again proving that only the Brits really know how to do long-form TV.

i like the show even though it does not really live up to the books. I do wish they had someone else playing Pascoe -Colin Buchanan find very whiney and annoying.

Best thing they could have done was dump the Ellie character from the show. Her liberal, feminist bent I thought detracted from the story lines. Much in the way I detested Tony Sopranos wife, I felt the same about Ellie. Good riddance.

excellente série acteurs et scenarios de premier ordre

Just love this series. Lots of twists and even if Dalziel is so sarcastic, the show wouldn't be the same without it. Very good murder mysteries! Highly recommended!

we both like it , my wife just found out the all the seasons are a bit old in england but it,s new here on pbs tv thank you we enjoy it a lot ,

Love these guys!!

Satisfied!