Shetland: Series 1-3

I remember seeing some of these episodes as broadcast on the BBC up to 2016. But I missed a few episodes so I did not really catch at the time what all the series were about. Watching it all on DVD what came across was the decency and humility of Jimmy Perez, such that when he occasionally got angry or overtly instructive towards his team of detectives I knew he meant it and that his team should act. I particularly liked series 3, with it's continuous story line. Viewing it in these Covid times part of the pleasure came from seeing normal city life in Glasgow, going on behind the characters as they went about their business. I also liked how the writing portrayed some crimes as difficult to bring to court because the way the crime was portrayed and examined in a court room made the victim of the crime relive being the victim in a way that was repugnant to them and might well not bring the perpetrator to justice. This seemed like art reflecting life. The detective's dilemma as regards romance and a private life was also well presented, and the result inevitable but accepted. A further plaudit should go to John Lunn who wrote and performed the music and whoever placed it within the edit of the drama, the music is apt and always well placed. Even where the addition of music is obvious-'scary' music for a scary neglected places, it is well done. I would have enjoyed the series even more if a credit for the musicians and composer if they were higher and in bigger print in the credit list, no matter since the composer made his name music for 'Downton Abbey'. Finally I liked how nobody spoke over anyone else and there were no overpowering sound effects-this mad how the DVD sounded similar to an old fashioned radio play-but with better pictures. If I had any doubts there are two, the first one is not fixable. Putting scary bits in dramas when they are on DVD and you have the remote in your hand means that the viewer labels the scene 'scary' and uses the remote, which they could not if they were watching it as broadcast within the schedules. The second doubt is about the writing as it is at the very end of series 3. The way the series resolved all the issues presented throughout was rather hastily presented on screen and rather too tidy to allow the reader to suspend disbelief-surely the writers could have left some loose ends for the viewer to ponder?

This DVD contains Series1, 2 & 3 on Four DVD's.Series 1 contains Red Bones and Raven Black. two episodes on 1 DVDSeries 2 contains Dead Water and Blue Lightning again two episodes on 1 DVDOriginally, on TV the episodes were one hour each, two per episode here they have merely been transferred as two hours each episode so anyone who watched it on TV may think an episode is missing but is isn't. Eight episodes from TV here make four two hour long productions.The first two series are adaptations on Anne Cleeve's books.Very well acted, all original and very watchable. Douglas Henshall is the detective Jimmy Perez, the supporting casts are very good with actors from Brian Cox, Clive Russell, David Hayman, Bill Paterson, John Lynch, Steven Cree and Alex Norton all giving excellent support.Series 3 is a stand alone story of six hour long episodes on two discs. This is where the series really takes off. It is an excellent story, again beautifully acted. Ciaran Hinds and James Cosmo provide brilliant support and Alison O'Donnell as Tosh, DI Perez' assistant really comes into her own here in a tale involving rape. It is maturely done, never sensationalized and very thought provoking. All in all Shetland is a fantastic series. There is a slowness and silence to the series that I love. It is intelligent and makes you think. Don't expect the acting or the stories to be layered on with a trowel, we are not talking Midsommer Murders here. The sweeping scenery, almost a character on its own and the interaction of the police team are watchable and believable. An educated pgrogramme. Love it.Just adding as an afterthought. I'm currently reading all of the Shetland series of books by Ann Cleeves. How glad I am I watched the series first. If I'd read the books first I don't believe I'd have watched the series. This is very much a case of TV adaptations being far far superior to the originals. The writers need to be congratulated for this very highly.

The series is well-acted and the action is good. I have deducted one star because one of my disks appears to be faulty and I don't appreciate the lack of light in some of the scenes. I don't understand why this filming technique is used. It detracts from the enjoyment of watching and certainly adds nothing to the atmosphere IMHO. Where the lighting is good, the DVD is very good to watch.

Shetland is a first class drama series. The best.

I had just watched the whole of Endeavour 's six seasons when Istumbled into Shetland on Prime. Very different, but very good. The setting in such an isolated place, with some very small communities. The bluish, even livid light. The actors and their tough Scottish accent (I have used clips to give my students an idea of English before the Vowel shift). Each season is one or two stories only, always credible in every respect. Even the - how shall I say- contribution to a more equal society blabla (you get all the p c list: gays, lesbians, racism, violence against women, human trafficking, neonazis i may be forgetting something) is done so credibly from the poit of view of characters and plot that it did not do any harm, it didn't feel forced at all. Good actors, DI Perez above all. And now I have another place I want to go to.

Excellent series - complex storylines and good character development. James Cosmo was brilliant as a Glasgow gangster - really menacing. Stories can be a bit far fetched but all the threads come together at the end. Very gripping and well worth watching - Tosh & Perez keep the story real and guest stars such as Archie Punjabi give performances that keep you on the edge of your seat. Missed these earlier episodes but teally enjoyed them now. Great box set that will keep you glued to the screen.

Great DVD and delivery service