Taggart is definitely gritty, but you can't really have a murder mystery that is funny. Sometimes Touch of Frost is like that, but that is because David Jason is a comedy genius, and also knows when to be serious. But if you want a gritty, sombre murder mystery with totally original ideas, Taggart is perfect for you. Such a shame that Mark McManus died during the series' very successful run, though Alex Norton does do a competent job as DCI Burke. Blythe Duff is a very talented actress, and John Michie and Colin McCredie do a credible job also. The episodes are sometimes brutal, but always gritty and tense. Although I am more familiar with the more recent episodes, I wish there were more repeats of the earlier ones with McManus. Another special mention should go to the theme tune, very good indeed, and it was a really original idea to base it around Glasgow. 9/10 Bethany Cox.
