Sometimes it pays to be generous. This part of the series might not be perfect, but who are we to complain when we're already getting so much? A quick glance at the US 'twinkie' counterpart Law & Order reminds us of how grateful we should be.
These are alternately gritty and fancy cases. Some are almost too realistic, others play like Dame Agatha.
But above it all is Helen Mirren. Dench may be the better known of the two right now, and I do like the work Dench does, but no one will ever compare in my book to Helen Mirren. She's just too much. Too sexy, too charismatic, too powerful - she may be years older than me but that doesn't matter: she's still the most attractive woman alive. She's an inspiration to watch. Her every movement whispers 'class'.
The first part of part 4 was directed by John Madden of Shakespeare in Love fame. This is the kind of quality entertainment sent your way. These are not easy, two dimensional comic book stories in the spirit of Dick Wolf; if these aren't real, then it doesn't matter, for they seem real. They're fully three dimensional.
The part we're watching right now is part two of part four. To me it's even better, although everyone says wait for the final third part which is the crowning achievement. I don't care: this one's got me totally wrapped up. The conflicts they put in these things - so subtle, so cunningly portrayed.
A 10 out of 10 may be technically inaccurate, but sometimes it pays to be generous. This is still entertainment, it's still drama, in an age where everything's devolved into Big Brother, American Idol, and more ads than playtime - and with all that goes with it: cheap tricks, garish ways to grab your attention, etc. Prime Suspect works from the radical concept that the show in its entirety should be entertaining. Movie quality on the television screen. Don't miss it. Buy each and every one. There's no way you can lose on this one. And watch Helen Mirren do her stuff. Imagine if you will what she and Sean Connery could do together. Wow.
