Detective and Crime Dramas

I have a bad habit of sticking to old shows and movies. I'm not sure why, but when it comes to trying something new, I am wary. Yes, I am finicky, and I have come to terms with the fact that I will suffer the consequences of missing out. Thankfully, I have a husband who pushes me to give things a chance every so often. I've always loved a good mystery, but am a stickler for sticking close to canon when it comes to shows or movies about fictional detectives that I love. I've read every Sherlock Holmes story and novella by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, including the notated versions. I've seen most television and movie renditions of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, Jeremy Brett's portrayal being my personal favorite, and my husband calls me a Sherlock Holmes snob. When I saw the newest show with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, I was skeptical. I ended up loving the series, however, and how they adjusted the stories to fit a modern setting. Another detective I am particular about when seeing him on screen is Hercule Poirot. Agatha Christie is another of my favorite authors and I enjoyed watching David Suchet play the detective. I say all of this about these two authors and their now famous detectives, because so many other mystery and crime shows have been influenced by them. A few of them are wonderful, and others have been either too predictable or simply boring with unoriginal characters. Having filtered through these other shows and movies looking for more to satiate my appetite for a good mystery, I have a few I could recommend, each with their own tone and characters you'll fall in love with.

Death in Paradise is a British crime drama that reminds me of Agatha Christie's works. Detective Richard Poole, played by Ben Miller, is sent from London to Saint Marie, a fictional island in the Caribbean, to solve the murder of another British police officer. He is the Sherlock type, both intelligent and cynical, and hates the island when he first arrives. He refuses to wear anything but his suit and jacket, even though he lives right on the beach. After solving the murder, he is ordered to stay and take the murdered officer's place working on the Saint Marie police force. Each episode involves a complex crime and multiple twists, as well as Detective Poole's personal struggles with island life and his interactions with the locals. Camille Bordey, a sarcastic and feisty detective, works alongside Detective Poole and constantly makes fun of his British ways and pushes him to relax. Officers Fidel Best and Dwayne Meyers also assist Detective Poole and add comedic relief in their own ways. I don't want to give too much away, but at the start of season 3, Detective Poole is replaced by another British detective with a very different personality and we follow his lead on further cases. He is as brilliant as Detective Poole, but clumsy and much more open to the Caribbean lifestyle. Two other detectives become the primary characters in their turn as the series moves forward, in a sort of Doctor Who style (without the Tardis or sonic screw driver, of course). This show is great for anyone who enjoys an Agatha Christie style mystery with great characters, beautiful scenery, and a good laugh.

Another show I recommend for those who enjoy Doyle or Christie is Father Brown, another BBC crime drama. The show is loosely based on the short stories by G.K. Chesterson, and the protagonist is a Roman Catholic Priest played by Mark Williams. Set in the mid-1950's, we see Britain post-World War II and are met with storylines dealing with the political, religious, and social issues of that time. Father Brown is both observant and empathetic, listening and giving advice to his parishioners, as a priest should, but also solving crimes when they show up in their small town. One common issue seen in the show is how quick the actual detectives are to condemn the innocent based on assumption or stereotype, only to be proven wrong by Father Brown who takes the time to know and understand people. The overall tone of the show is lighthearted most of the time, with hints of darkness throughout. Father Brown is an encourager of light and hope when things seem dim.

Broadchurch is my next recommendation. Darker and more intense than the shows I have already mentioned, Broadchurch is set in a fictional town of the same name on the Dorset Coast. Unlike my other recommendations, each season follows one major crime and the people involved. Detectives Alec Hardy (played by David Tennant) and Ellie Miller (played by Olivia Colman), two very different personalities, lead the investigations, often finding hard truths and strange circumstances along the way. Alec is the Sherlock-esque character, brilliant and cynical, but also flawed. He struggles with a recent history of failure, divorce, and a physical illness that just might kill him. His past failures make multiple appearances throughout seasons 1 and 2, as does his struggle with social and familial norms. Ellie, on the other hand, is the more empathetic one. She is definitely feisty and sharp, but her ability to relate to others and to comfort them sets her apart from her partner. The first season introduces these two as they are confronted with the murder of a young boy. I should say now that if you are triggered by the death of a child, do not watch this. The acting is spectacular by all involved as the family and rest of the town deal with the child's death and what is later discovered. Each episode leaves you wanting more and it is easy to become emotionally involved with what happens to these characters. Season 2 focuses on the trial of who was charged in the crime at the end of season 1, but also on one of Alec's past cases that went very wrong. He is forced to face the possibility of another failure with the current trial while launching another investigation into this past case, determined to figure out what really happened. Season 3 shows Detectives Hardy and Miller as they handle a sexual assault case. If you are triggered by sexual assault, avoid this season. Each season is wonderfully written and full of suspense and emotion. This show actually won Best Drama Series at the BAFTA awards.

My last recommendation is actually a movie. Having mentioned before that I love Agatha Christie, my reasoning should be a no-brainer. The most recent Murder on the Orient Express, staring Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot, is a wonderful entertainment experience. It boasts a star-studded cast with Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom Jr., Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley. Also, I want to mention a trigger warning here as there is a mention of the death of a child, miscarriage, and suicide. The movie opens with an introduction to Poirot as he finishes up a case in Jerusalem. He finds passage back to London, where he lives, via the Orient Express train service. He is traveling with thirteen other passengers and hopes for a relaxing trip home but finds it to be anything but that. An impolite American businessman/con artist named Edward Ratchett (Johnny Depp), approaches him early on to request his presence as a body guard because he has been receiving threatening letters he says were from unhappy clients. Poirot bluntly refuses and returns to his compartment. That night, several strange occurrences take place and an avalanche partially derails the train, leaving them stranded until they are missed. The next morning, Ratchett is found dead in his compartment, having been stabbed multiple times, and Poirot is faced with finding his killer among the other passengers and staff. The characters are written well, each one with their own history, personality, and struggles. Suspense is built with each clue found and every time you think you know who killed the man, something forces you to look another direction. For Poirot, however, the pieces begin to fit into place as he hunts for more information behind who the people are and how people in general behave. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie, or just good mysteries in general, I highly recommend this one.

Mysteries in general will always have a special place in my heart, but it's the classics such as those written by Doyle and Christie that live on as what I compare the rest of them to. If I had a formula, I suppose it would be to measure the level of characterization, emotion, suspense, and originality of plot when researching a movie or series. It's also important for the mystery to not give away all the answers too soon. Playing detective alongside the protagonist(s) is part of the fun, as is learning what they learn related to the mystery and to life in general. All stories teach a lesson, in my opinion, but those lessons are only really taught when the reader or viewer cares about what is happening to those in the story. In the mystery and crime dramas I have listed above, there is more substance than just the typical whodunit scenario. There are lessons of empathy, love, caution against naivety, and overcoming failure and hardship. These stories also show the importance of relationship and community, something even Sherlock Holmes eventually comes to terms with. These are the lessons that I have learned watching these shows and films and I hope those of you who deem them worthy to watch will as well. Meanwhile, I will work on overcoming my own pickiness with what I watch so as to grow with other stories in the future.