Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Allison Davies The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

pawebster Peter Davison is just right for this role. He plays Dangerous as a real person, who is actually clever and strong at the same time as being a soft touch, basically because of sheer niceness. This could easily be cloying or sentimental, but Davison avoids this pitfall with seeming ease.As with so many detective series, our hero (who solves every case, while his colleagues and superior are getting things wrong) is seriously undervalued by the police force, so much so that he is still a detective constable when he must be close the the police retiring age. This is as unbelievable here as it always is.His friend, played by Sean Hughes, is a handicap to the series in my opinion. He is supposed to be there for quirky comic relief, but I just find him irritating.On the other hand, Dangerous' bossy hot-and-cold wife is a definite asset.

Samuel Mason-Jones I watched the first episode of this show and I was hooked. Since then, I've been careful to watch every episode they've broadcast. (They started showing it here in Australia more than 3 years after it was shown in Britain!) From the very start, I found myself really sympathising with PC "Dangerous" Davies (played brilliantly by Peter Davison). He is still a constable after who knows how many years, he is separated from his wife Julie, he lives in dives and is mocked by the other policemen. But in spite of this, he is an irrepressibly nice guy. This is a welcome change from the utterly unsympathetic detectives that frequently appear on television! There were two other characters who I really liked - the gruff alcoholic Detective Inspector Aspinall (Rob Spendlove), and Dangerous's friend Mod Lewis, a philosophical Irishman who seems to have a great deal of trouble finding decent work or a steady relationship.The humour is clever but not self-indulgent, and this really appealed to me. This is added to by the tension between the characters, particularly between Dangerous and his colleagues Barrett and Pimnott (a pair of smart-mouthed cockney detectives). Dangerous's relationship with Mod is particularly good to watch, especially when Dangerous is forced to move in with him.The character development and intriguing plots make the Last Detective a must-see, and Willesden North is a perfect low-key backdrop. I haven't read the books, but I now intend to.

Theo Robertson When I say THE LAST DETECTIVE is a fairly lightweight show this is in no way meant as a criticism . It's the sort of hhhmmmm how can I put it ? not a comedy but neither is it a heavy serious detective drama like A TOUCH OF FROST or INSPECTOR MORSE . Starring the blandest Doctor Who ever Peter Davison ( Again by no means a criticism ) as DC Davies the episodes revolve more around the character's chaotic home life than the cases he solves . Sean Hughes steals the show as Mod Lewis a sort of Celtic huggy bear who walks dogs and gives Davies good advice .....DAVIES : I think I'm being stalked MOD : I knew a woman who wouldn't leave me alone . She'd follow me everywhere , buy me clothes and give me money DAVIES : Did you go to the police ? MOD : No . It'd be a cruel man who'd turn in his own motherIf you thought the above line was amusing you'll certainly like the show , but my major criticism is to do with the fact that it's shown on a peak time Friday night when much of the potential audience is down the pub . THE LAST DETECTIVE feels more like a show that would be far more successful shown on a late Sunday evening slotUpdate: As of 2005 it's now shown on Sunday evenings . Thanks for listening ITV

rleather I'm 32 years old and somehow this reminds me of what I imagine Dixon of DockGreen was like.Each story is layered out with care and attention, good humor and the sort of warmth that only Peter D. can put into a performance. See his previous work in 'A very peculiar practice' or 'Meet the Braithwaits' for examples of what I mean.It will never be as successful as 'Inspector Morse' or as breathtakingly fresh as 'Spooks' but to count these as negatives would be a mistake. Its like watching a favorite uncle telling a familiar and yet fascinating story. You know your in good hands and its very safe, but you just can't help but love it.Its the St. Bernard dog of detectives.