Ruth Rendell Mysteries

Why no cast list for this very popular TV programme of the 90's. It should really have been called ' Wexford ' The star, Detective Chief Inspector Reg Wexford is played by George Baker a very experienced and accomplished UK actor. The programme is set in rural England, probably Hampshire. Wexford is a good old fashioned reliable solid British Policeman. We are not talking here about gruesome murders or car chases. We are talking about traditional detection methods and a Policemen who has integrity and the trust of the public. In truth Baker looks that he is old enough to retire for the whole of the series. He is assisted by a younger Inspector Burden ( Christopher Ravenscroft)and his attractive wife played by Diane Keen.

We read the reviews and thought it would be a great series. The first story was carried over 4 episodes. Could have been done in an hour and still not with it! After the first episode, we were stunned and underwhelmed. However, we continued to watch (and FF where possible) to get to the merciful conclusion of the storyline. The worst "police" we've seen in any series. No focus. No passion except when they overacted. We read that Ruth Rendell based Wexford on herself. Passionless (except when overacting), no real ability to reason or solve crimes - so how was she able to write if she's like her character??? We will not waste our time on the remaining 44 episodes.

I love a good British mystery, especially of the pre-2000 variety. Hence I was excited when YouTube suggested I watch a few episodes of Ruth Rendell.

But boy, what a disappointment. What could be a reasonably entertaining (and even then, hardly more than that) 30-minute story gets shamelessly dragged out into four (4) episodes of 50 minutes each. Someone's getting married? Great; let's show the church; the guests arriving; the brides sashaying down the isle; the ceremony; the 'Just Married'; the couple driving off on their honeymoon. Etc. Etc. Never mind that it serves no purpose in the story whatsoever.

I can see how a lonely old person in the 1980s, with a total of two programs on their black-and-white telly, might give it a go. But for today's viewer, this show is the definition of boring.

I can't believe I actually watched 2 episodes. I love Colin Firth, so I thought it might get better. It's not only terrible, it's a travesty. I'm sure Colin in embarrassed by it. I would be. Not only is the directing terrible, so is the acting! How anything so terrible makes it to the final screen. It has to be the worst I've ever seen. And the writing ... no one speaks like that. It makes me angry that something so beautifully visual could be that bad. Such potential. And for what? I'm moving on & will try to forget that I even considered watching the 3rd episode of this disaster. Sorry Colin! I think you're a great actor, but I guess we all have to have our failures. It's how we learn to move on!

I saw "Master of the Moor and it was very poorly done many respects except for the acting and I wasted my time viewing it. Fortunately it was the only bad experience I have had with Netflix. I just thought Ruth Rendell was a better writer.