Dempsey And Makepeace - The Complete Second Series [1985] [DVD]

A fantastic series, each episode has a little something different in it. The relationship between Dempsey & Makepeace has developed from the first series, and it makes for an amusing sub plot to the action and adventure. It is a great pity that there were only 3 series made (another ITV cock up). This is the ideal antidote to all the miserable, gloomy, dull cop series on TV now. I stopped watching, they were so depressing. What we want is something to cheer us up, and Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber do just that. I should like to see them together again in a new series (Mr and Mrs Dempsey?) as they are still the same glamourous duo. In addition, the DVD has 2 archive interviews which are a delight to see, and have links to recent TV appearances on chat shows. HIghly recommended. I am looking forward to Network putting out the third series - it would be top of my list for Santa!

It was the second series that really sees the relationship between Dempsey & Makepeace tested - both Michael Brandon & Glynis Barber pull it off superbly...added light relief is in the form of their boss Spikings played by the late Ray Smith.

The episodes in series 2 are much better written than the first series with more grit, action, explosions, fun and humour too..Stand-Out episodes - Tequila Sunrise and The Bogeyman.....

There were rumours recently that both Brandon & Barber were considering a D & M return....in the current climate of below average TV, their return would be welcome back with open arms by millions of viewers!!! Roll on series 3 on DVD in a few months!!

This excellent DVD box set collection of the cult-classic, British action-drama series, Dempsey And Makepeace, contains the full third season. The series spanned three seasons, filmed between 1984-86. Anyone who enjoys a bit of nostalgia and classic 80's TV then this box set is most definitely for you, and for all fans of Dempsey And Makepeace, this is simply essential!

THE COMPLETE SECOND SERIES

DISC ONE:

The second series explodes into action with Silver Dollar where a petrol station is blown up by masked raiders and a major corporate company is blackmailed. Wheel Man is a personal favourite of mine from series two where a meticulously-planned diamond robbery is being planned and the gang seek a new getaway driver. Dempsey goes undercover as the gangs new driver while Makepeace poses as a journalist to trap the leader of the gang. Love You To Death is another of my all-time favourites of the entire series where rock music singer Suzi Quatro guest-stars as a deranged stalker, obsessed with Dempsey and prepared to kill him if need be.

Special features on disc one includes a nostalgic clip of Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber being interviewed by Gloria Hunniford in October 1985 as the second series was currently being shown on ITV while there's another interview from January 1997 on This Morning with Richard and Judy during the time Dempsey and Makepace was being re-run on cable tv.

DISC TWO:

The second disc opens with No Surrender, featuring Dempsey and Makepeace involved in a violent bank siege (a young Jamie Foreman, an excellent British actor, is one of the gang members) while Tequila Sunrise is more focused on the duo's rocky relationship and after a drunken, wild night out, Makepeace takes Dempsey home! Then disc two draws to a close with Blood Money where an Arab antique dealer is viciously murdered.

DISC THREE:

Set A Thief is the third discs opener where a top model is murdered in a hit and run, while The Hit sees a colleague of the duo, shot to his death, and a professional assassin planning on killing a top official. In The Dark is where a right-wing group attempt to over-throw the government with counterfeit money and The Bogey Man features Dempsey coming up against a violent criminal that manages to outsmart him at seemingly every turn.

More than anything the overall electric chemistry between Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber completely shines through and it's their engaging performances that really carry the series. Unlike a lot of other cop shows of the time, a lot of the reason why people watched and loved Dempsey and Makepeace was the often explosive interaction between the two leads. Though some of the plots were pretty wafer-thin and the action laughably far-fetched, again this is always redeemed by the enjoyable performances from Brandon and Barber. This dvd box set is certainly excellent value for money, attractively packaged and boasting good picture and sound quality. A must-have for fans.

Ian Phillips
March 2011