Single Handed: Set One - 9351

Amazon.com Single-Handed: Set One includes three 90-minute episodes, "Natural Justice," "The Stolen Child," and "The Drowning Man," of this alluringly debauched crime series. While it doesn't have the retro flair of Britain's George Gently, this Irish drama banks on the stoically calm heroism of Garda Sergeant Jack Driscoll (Owen McDonnell) as he unravels extremely complex and secretive murder mysteries that are as incestuous, sordid, and ugly as his Irish landscape setting is pastoral. Episode one, "Natural Justice," grounds the viewer, as Jack returns home to the countryside from the Dublin Garda, to take over the head cop position from his dad, Gerry Driscoll (Ian McElhinney). With the rather incompetent Finbarr Colvin (David Herlihy) as the only other policeman patrolling the region, Jack finds himself as a "team of one," investigating a woman's carbon monoxide poisoning in a remote trailer. In this introductory episode, the plot involving his own father and his dad's best friend, Tommy Gallagher (Liam Carney), not to mention Jack's crush, Saoirse Brady (Laura Murphy), leaves one wondering what twisted stories could possibly follow up. Not to fear, as in episode two, "The Stolen Child," a child goes missing, and his kidnapper forms a kind of common-law outfit, while Jack's dad is in danger for sketchy past police work. In this episode, Jack, the handsome and morally upright single man, meets Dr. Maggie Hunter (Caroline Catz) for yet another budding romantic opportunity. Indeed, in each episode Jack seems to meet some gorgeous catch, such as Detective Brede O'Malley (Catherine Byrne) in "The Drowning Man." But oddly this romantic bent never detracts tension from the sleuthing to solve the brutal crimes. Throughout Single-Handed, Jack's mother, Eithne (Ruth McCabe), is the undyingly loyal policeman's wife, and she becomes increasingly important as Jack, towards the end of his first three cases, begins to feel the wear and tear of his stressful job. With the lovely scenery and glimpse into Irish culture, Single-Handed is entertaining enough, but with Owen McDonnell's convincing performance throughout, this is one of the best crime-drama series going. Chilling and fiery, all rolled into one. --Trinie Dalton Product Description When Garda sergeant Jack Driscoll (Owen McDonnell) moves from Dublin to his hometown on the west coast of Ireland, he finds his job to be more of a challenge than he expected. Not only does his small town harbor many ugly secrets, but he must also deal with his father, his predecessor on the job, whose approach is vastly different from his own. Driscoll immediately faces three mysteries: the murder of a beautiful immigrant woman, the abduction of a child, and the baffling drowning of a teenager. Darker and more serious than some British mysteries, this award-winning program originally aired in Ireland in 2009. The scenery is outstanding, and the characters and stories are complex and multifaceted. VERDICT After Set 1, viewers will be eagerly awaiting Set 2. A smart and entertaining series recommended for all mystery lovers.--Julie Stump, Voorheesville P.L., NY Copyright 2012 Reed Business Information.
ASIN: B004AV5H3U
VSKU: DBV.B004AV5H3U.G
Condition: Good
Binding: DVD