Dalziel & Pascoe: A Game of Soldiers

Dalziel & Pascoe: A Game of Soldiers
BBC
3 January 2004
Crime Drama
DVD
B-

This is the first episode of the eighth series, but I'm just going to list the cast who'd return in the next few episodes:

• Colin Buchanan as DI Peter Pascoe
• Warren Clarke as Det. Supt. Andy Dalziel (the Z is silent)
• Katy Cavanagh as Det. Sgt. Dawn "Spike" Milligan
• Joe Savino as Dr. Frank Mason

And, yes, that's David "Hutch" Soul as Detective Gus D'Amato, apparently the grieving widower of a murder victim.  There are of course twists and turns to the plot, including a back story about Dalziel's love life in the '60s.  It's about 90 minutes, so there's time for complexities, and for things to be wrapped up somewhat satisfactorily.  (One guy really spills his guts, when he's supposed to be a spy and his life is not in immediate danger.)  I didn't love this like Broadchurch, but within a few minutes I was happy that I liked it more than most crime dramas.  So, yes, I'll probably watch the next three episodes.

Stan Hey wrote this episode, based on the novels by Reginald Hill.  This is one of ten episodes directed by Patrick Lau.