Tag: The Chelsea Detective

Categories
TV Series Review

The Chelsea Detective – Series 3 – Review

The Chelsea Detective – Series 3 – Review

The Chelsea Detective Series 3 showcases four compelling cases, highlighting character depth and intriguing plots, solidifying its status as a must-watch.

First Reaction – The Chelsea Detective – Series 3 is a great return to form for the series with 4 excellent cases.

Where to Watch

The Chelsea Detective Series 3 transmission on U&Drama, this latest collection of captivating crimes are set to arrive on DVD and digital on 9 June alongside the Series 1 – 3 Box Set, courtesy of Acorn Media International.

Director: Jennie Darnell, Richard Signy

Writer: Peter Fincham, Glen Laker, Nicola Wilson (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Detective Inspector Max Arnold, whose lifestyle on a battered houseboat in Chelsea’s Cheyne Walk contrasts sharply with the affluent elite whose crimes he helps solve alongside partner DS Layla Walsh.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes per Episode

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on The Chelsea Detective – Series 3

Everybody Loves Chloe

This episode begins when celebrity Chloe (Kirby) is found dead in her apartment. DI Max Arnold (Scarborough), DS Layla Walsh (Emme) lead the case, which explores the private life of the celebrity. Meanwhile, DC Connor Pollock (Bankole) and DC Jess Lombard (Phelps) complete the team. When they get deeper into the case, they discover plenty of secrets leading to a host of suspects behind the crime.

We start the series strong with a big case that explores the problems with a celebrity’s life. It keeps us guessing and gives us a glimpse into the bigger life problems. This makes for a great return for the team, showing the unity they have. The case is interesting and the suspects a plenty, which benefits from the extended runtime the series has. (4/5)

Deadlock

The episode follows two dead bodies discovered in an exclusive allotment. Max and Layla lead the investigation, which sees them investigating the American Embassy. However, the clues begin to make things more complicated, as diplomatic positions make things difficult.

This episode continues to explore the complex case in the Chelsea area. It dives into an older crime with skeletal remains being the victims. This has a feeling of ‘Bones’ and even builds a bigger conspiracy occurring. It is a great episode and easily one of the best. (5/5)

Myths and Legends

The episode begins when an antiques dealer is murdered in his shop. It takes Max and Layla into the world of antiques and different people connected to the victim. The investigation has plenty of twists and turns with the corruption of the bigger antique world.

This does slow the series down after the heater 2nd episode. However, it does give us a nice mystery to solve with plenty of twists and turns. Meanwhile, the personal lives of the detectives are interesting to explore more. (3/5)

For The Greater Good

The episode follows Max and Layla investigating a dead body in the boot of a stolen car. The victim is a climate change activist, and the team must investigate his campaigns. However, not everything is as easy as it seems, and the two different stories offer plenty to investigate. Meanwhile, a much closer-to-home incident involves the team.

We complete the series if a complex case is filled with secrets. Some parts hit closer to home, and it brings the team closer. It leaves the team facing home truths and wanting to help each other out. This pulls us in and keeps us wanting to see how it unfolds. (4/5)

Overall

The series shines by having longer episodes, giving us time to see into the smaller parts of the lives of the team. Each case gives a unique series of twists and turns. This is one of the best detective shows around, with interesting characters, complex cases and a down-to-earth feeling. We can’t wait to see what the next series has up its sleeves.

Final Thoughts –The Chelsea Detective – Series 3 is becoming one of the most must-watch detective shows.

Categories
TV Series Review

The Chelsea Detective Series 2 – Review

The Chelsea Detective Series 2 Review

Explore the thrilling Chelsea Detective Series 2. Join DI Max Arnold and DS Layla Walsh as they solve crimes in the affluent elite of Chelsea.

Director: Richard Signy, Sarah Esdaile

Writer: Glen Laker, Peter Fincham, Liz Lake, Laura Poliakoff (Screenplay)

Writer: Peter Fincham (Creator)

Cast

Plot: Arnold, whose lifestyle on a battered houseboat in Chelsea’s Cheyne Walk contrasts sharply with the affluent elite whose crimes he helps solve alongside partner DS Layla Walsh.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on The Chelsea Detective Series 2

The Blue Room (D. Richard Signy)

The Blue Room follows DI Max Arnold (Scarborough) and his new partner DS Layla Walsh (Emme) investigating a murder at an art gallery. Max and his team Connor (Bankole) and Jess (Phelps) set out to learn about the people who attended the show, creating a big pool of suspects. It includes the gallery owner, their family and the victim’s husband.

In the return episode, we get a new pairing with different challenges for Max. The case helps build their friendship and ability to use each other strengths to solve the case. As well as Layla learning to adapt to the rest of the team. When it comes to the case, we get plenty of suspects, twists and turns along the way. It is a welcome return for the show, and the ability to bring in a new member effortlessly shines through. (4/5)

Golden Years (D. Richard Signy)

Golden Years follows Max and Layla investigating the suspicious death of a resident at a luxury care home. The victim has lived a life of luxury in the aftermath of other’s suffering. Meanwhile, the other suspects have secrets and Max must deal with the final change in his ending relationship.

This takes us to the Chelsea elite and keeps us wondering with a long list of suspects. It dives into a host of different potential suspects away from the normal inside the luxury care home. This touches on a few serious subjects which still need dealing with in real life too. It keeps you guessing well and gives Jess and Connor a bigger impact on the story. (3/5)

The Reliable Witness (D. Sarah Esdaile)  

The Reliable Witness starts when psychologist Iain Frankland is murdered during an online session. It looks like a known stalker could be the prime suspect as they have targeted the doctor before. However, the deeper they dive, the more they uncover about the doctor.

The third episode takes us into the secretive life of psychologists and what goes on behind closed doors. It once again touches on serious situations, dealing with mental illnesses and how people deal with the problems. While the crime isn’t as intense as others, it continues to follow the more traditional twist-filled story. The highlight comes from the subject matters being discussed over the crime solving. (4/5)

A Crime of Passion (D. Sarah Esdaile)

A Crime of Passion follows the team investigating the murder of a fruit and vegetable businessman. He has a reputation for being a player and they must figure out if it was a crime of passion or a business problem.

In the final episode, we complete the series with a more traditional concept. A mystery where the victim has many secrets which creates many different suspects. It shows the team working perfectly together and continues Max’s changing life. However, for the mystery, it feels more like another episode, rather than something bigger like you might expect from the season finale. (3/5)

The Chelsea Detective Series 2

Series 2 brings us four new crimes for Max Arnold and his team to solve. Vanessa Emme steps into the co-leading role and does a great job opposite Adrian Scarborough. We follow her adapting to the team and Max adapting to his changing relationship. This feels like more of the same, it brings a less grizzly type of crime stories and uses the busy Chelsea district of London to bring the many different worlds together.

Where to Watch

The Chelsea Detective Series 2 and 1 & 2 Box set will be available on DVD and digital on 23 September

Final Thoughts – The Chelsea Detective Series 2 is a great series of crime stories.

Categories
Movie Review

The Chelsea Detective – Season 1 – Review

The Chelsea Detective Season 1 – Review 

Chelsea Detective

Director: Richard Signy, Darcia Martin

Writer: Peter Fincham, Glen Laker (Screenplay)

Cast

 

Plot: Arnold, whose lifestyle on a battered houseboat in Chelsea’s Cheyne Walk contrasts sharply with the affluent elite whose crimes he helps solve alongside partner D.C. Priya Shamsie.  

Runtime: 90 Minutes (Episodes)  

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review 

Verdict on The Chelsea Detective Season 1

The Wages of Sin (D. Richard Signy)

The Wages of Sin starts when DI Max Arnold and DS Priya Shamsie are investigating a death in the subway. They must discover whether it was an accident, suicide or murder, while the evidence points in many different directions. Once they discover it looks like a murder, they must dive into the man’s past to learn who might want him dead.

This is a good introduction to the characters that build a strong connection between the two officers. All while highlighting both their personal problems. When it comes to the case, we get a mystery that sends the officers in a range of different directions as they search for answers. However, the case seems to take a back seat to the development of the officer’s problems. This might give the show a continuing series of issues, but it makes the crime feel a lot less important, despite the bigger mystery involved. (3/5)  

Mrs Romano (D. Richard Signy)

Mrs Romano starts when celebrity chef Robyn Romano goes missing suddenly. A neighbour hears some noise during the night and a blood pool is left inside her flat. In the aftermath of the incident, the detectives must investigate the family.

This takes us down a path where we get a similar drama story with a close group of suspects behind a murder. It takes us on a path where each interview offers a different direction for our detectives to discover something new. It feels like a middle episode of a series, where the crime relies on more twists and turns along the way, over anything else. (2/5) 

The Gentle Giant (D. Darcia Martin)

The Gentle Giant when a loving husband and carer for his sick wife gets murdered. When the detectives start their investigation, they learn that the victim is a local hero and doesn’t have any enemies. However, the investigation looks to open up more options as to who could have been behind the murder.

This is the first of the series to make a bigger point about the class difference in the Chelsea area of London. It shows someone who works extremely hard for his own family and could have clashed with the elite of the area. This does do a good job of getting into the deeper side of the previous lives of others involved in a local area. It becomes the most interesting case, diving into the two things Chelsea is most known for, football and flowers. (4/5) 

A Chelsea Education (D. Darcia Martin)

A Chelsea Education starts when a respected private school teacher is found dead. It seems like he is popular around the school and well-respected around the area. However, when they start investigating deeper, they start learning more about his past and life.

This does get to look into another bigger circle in the Chelsea area. With this side of the story, we get an interesting mystery to solve again. Along with a nice case to see unfold, we get the bigger real-life problems that the detectives must try to deal with to remain on the job. It feels like a nice finishing point for the series and rounds things off the most. (4/5) 

The Chelsea Detective is four cases in the Chelsea district of London. The pairing of Adrian Scarborough and Sonita Henry are extremely good together. Their characters have different problems in their personal life, with Max dealing with a divorce. While Priya trying to be a working new mother. Each case gives us something different in the area, even if most cases could be placed around most crime shows. If you are looking to watch a detective show, this will do everything you need to see from one. There are some good mysteries, and they have a great ability to keep you guessing. 

The Chelsea Detective Series One is set to make its DVD and digital debut on 18 September 2023 courtesy of Acorn Media International.

Final Thoughts – The Chelsea Detective is an entertaining series with great crimes to solve.