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Amazon.co.uk Review
The first series of Vera may have left the show a little bit of work to do, but this follow-up run of stories improves things with considerable skill. The basic premise remains similar. Vera follows the work of Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, a woman driven to solve crime, whilst battling a catalogue of problems of her own. So far, so conventional. Television is hardly short of detectives, after all. But Vera has a trump card, and her name is Brenda Blethyn. The Oscar-nominated actress gives a considered performance in the title role, and the lends the show the gravitas it needs to keep us hooked.
Blethyn is front and centre for much of the four episodes collected together here, and it's a complex collection of cases she's presented with. For instance, she has to face the mysterious suicide of a former colleague, and the odd murder of a social worker, each of which comes with a labyrinthine backstory that Vera needs to get to grips with.
There are still problems with Vera that this second series doesn't completely solve. Based once more on Ann Cleeves' novels, the wonderful Blethyn has proven to be a divisive choice amongst hardened fans of the books, and whilst her character is deepened here, more work on the writing and less reliance on the leading actress would serve the show well.
That said, her adventures here are fleshed out, interesting, and intriguing to watch. And Vera continues, as it did in the second half of its maiden series, to improve. Well worth a look. --Jon Foster
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I absolutely loved the first series of this detective drama and I was thrilled when it was announced there would be a second series and it didn't disappoint either!!!! There have been many great detective dramas on TV (Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Marple etc...) which I also thoroughly enjoy but this drama has something the others don't have.... Brenda Blethyn!!
I really enjoy these types of detective dramas as there's no high speed chases or blood and gore, instead they are all character led which makes (in my opinion) for a more interesting story!! The way 'Vera' has been shot also adds to the appeal as the locations and scenery are always stunning and that also adds to the overall story. It's also clear to see that Brenda gets along very well with her 'Sergeant' David Leon and their on-screen chemistry appears very natural and unforced. I also bought this DVD collection as ITV have not yet shown one of the four episodes on TV (it was due to it being set in an Amry Barracks and Afghanistan and on the day it was due to be screened 2 soldiers had sadly been killed whilst in action, so ITV did the right thing and postponed the episode). They are now promising to show it 'late summer' but I'm afraid I just couldn't wait that long so I've ordered the DVD instead!!
I just hope that the bosses at ITV see sense and commission the drama for a third series next year as it totally deserves it!!!!
I really enjoy these types of detective dramas as there's no high speed chases or blood and gore, instead they are all character led which makes (in my opinion) for a more interesting story!! The way 'Vera' has been shot also adds to the appeal as the locations and scenery are always stunning and that also adds to the overall story. It's also clear to see that Brenda gets along very well with her 'Sergeant' David Leon and their on-screen chemistry appears very natural and unforced. I also bought this DVD collection as ITV have not yet shown one of the four episodes on TV (it was due to it being set in an Amry Barracks and Afghanistan and on the day it was due to be screened 2 soldiers had sadly been killed whilst in action, so ITV did the right thing and postponed the episode). They are now promising to show it 'late summer' but I'm afraid I just couldn't wait that long so I've ordered the DVD instead!!
I just hope that the bosses at ITV see sense and commission the drama for a third series next year as it totally deserves it!!!!
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Brenda Blethyn is brilliant as a 'mumsy' middle aged woman who, believably, is a police chief inspector who, in the mould of Inspector Morse, solves grim contemporary murder mysteries. Shot against fantastic north of England locations, Vera is never less than watchable.
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