As said with my review for the previous episode "Care and Protection" (a great start to a great show), 'A Touch of Frost' is one of my favourites, if more so the earlier-mid-show episodes than the later ones (none of the episodes are in any way unwatchable, far from it).
So much appeals about 'A Touch of Frost'. Love the mix of comedy and dark grit, the tension between rebellious Jack Frost and by-the-book Mullet which has led to some humorous moments, how he interacts with the rest of the staff, the deft mix of one or two cases and Frost's personal life, how Frost solves the cases, the production values, music and of course David Jason in one of his best roles.
"Care and Protection" was a great debut for the show, and "Not With Kindness" continues the high quality. It is only the second episode and it is amazing how well established and settled everything is in terms of tone and characterisation. Many shows took a while, sometimes as much as a season's worth, to find their feet, but 'A Touch of Frost' is one of those examples who found it very early on. Sure, later episodes took a lighter tone and had more of a mix of comedy and grit, but in no way is that a criticism of the darker and even grittier cases when 'A Touch of Frost' was still in its infancy.
Visually, "Not With Kindness" looks great, matching the dark, gritty tone of the episode beautifully with atmospheric lighting and the stylish way it's shot. The music is haunting without being over-bearing while the theme tune is one of the most iconic in the detective genre (or at least to me it is).
"Not With Kindness" is yet another very well written episode. Tension, emotional poignancy and a little humour (if not as much as later) are very well balanced. The story, with as said a darker and grittier to what was to come, is riveting, with Frost's subplot making one really feel for his situation and the two cases are interesting and harrowing, never falling into the trap of being disjointed. Frost is a remarkably well-established character for so early on, and one cannot help love his interaction with the rest of the officers and his chemistry with Bruce Alexander's stern and by-the-book Mullet, who constantly despairs of Frost's unconventional approach. A stereotype perhaps, but an entertaining and interesting stereotype. Frost's sister-in-law is nowhere near the irritating stereotype she could have been, one can see the frustration of Frost but eventually her point of view is also understood.
Jason gives an excellent performance and is even more settled than in "Care and Protection". The performances are all solid.
All in all, excellent second episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
