Category Archives: Clever Assistant

McDonald & Dodds (2020)

From IMDB:

A shy and enigmatic Detective Sergeant is partnered with a wildly ambitious Detective Chief Inspector to solve crimes in the historic city of Bath.

From Amazon Prime britbox:

The ambitious DCI McDonald has swapped the mean streets of London to climb the career ladder in picturesque Bath. Tough, driven cop McDonald cracks cases through sheer force of will. When the two are partnered up, the unlikely pair instantly lock horns over their different approaches to policing – and to life. New episode arrives every Tuesday.

From Amazon Prime britbox you can stream the only two episodes available of this British detective story which takes place in Bath, England. Each episode lasts about an hour and a half.

DCI McDonald, played by Tala Gouveia, is young, tough, and at first glance dismisses DS Dodds, played by Jason Watkins, as a doddering old has-been who is ready for retirement.

Jason Watkins is a consummate actor with a long resumé. Perhaps you remember him as Prime Minister Harold Wilson in the TV series The Crown.  In these two detective episodes Watkins plays to perfection a shy, almost stuttering, annoyingly hesitant, absent-minded (as in “where are my glasses” when they are already perched on his head) older detective who, as it turns out, is a brilliant detective and the brains of the police department. Eventually McDonald and Dodds become good friends.

Chief Superintendent John Houseman is played by James Murray. His is a face you may have often seen but probably cannot remember where. James Murray also has a very long resumé. In this show CS Houseman is the mean boss who dislikes both McDonald and Dodds, sneers at their efforts, and never ever gives poor old Dodds any credit for his cleverness.

Finding this series was just plain dumb luck.

My Life Is Murder (2019)

From IMDB:

My Life is Murder follows the adventures of fearless private investigator Alexa Crowe, who solves the most baffling crimes as well as coping with the frustrations of everyday life.

From Acorn TV you can stream the 10 episodes (the 11th episode is just a bonus cast interview) of this (Melbourne) Australian crime series. Each episode lasts about 43 minutes.

Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess) plays Alexa Crowe as a retired cop who cannot seem to stop solving crime. Each story begins with DI Keiran Hussey bringing a closed but dubious case to her attention.  Madison Feliciano is her smart and sassy assistant who is very good at not always legal research.

Just a lightweight series of who-done-it stories that is easy to watch.