User Reviews

Two different cases. One concerns the death of a depressed young woman who lives in squalor. She seems hopeless and lost. The second involves a meat inspector who, during his investigation of a big meat transporter, who apparently is into shady dealings. He is found cut up in pieces in varying plastic sacks. This is one where Frost must take the side of a homeless person and battle against the prejudices directed toward her. Others ignore the realities of such a life of hopelessness. The second case involves an effort to cover up some very harsh activities, testing the mettle of a man who has gotten in way over his head.

Another great Frost episode. Two potential crimes (and by now you now that the two don't have to be related, unlike in some shows), both quite complex. Add in the usual Frost humour and folksiness plus, in this episode, a cute dog and it's wonderfully entertaining.

'A Touch of Frost' is a personal favourite of mine, and one of my favourite shows from the detective/mystery genre. Do have a preference perhaps for the earlier-mid-show episodes over the later ones, but none of the episodes are less than watchable and none do anything to embarrass the show.

So much appeals about 'A Touch of Frost'. Love the mix of comedy (mostly through Frost's snide comments and quips) 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.

There may have been people initially sceptical about whether the show would work, and with Jason (a mainly comedic actor) in a departure from usual in the lead role. Scepticism very quickly evaporated, with the first season containing three consistently great episodes, even with the darker and grittier approach with less humour, that established the tone and characterisation so brilliantly so early on with no signs of finding-their-feet. Seasons 2 and 3 continued that high standard, "Appropriate Adults" and "Stranger in House" particularly being show highlights. Season 4 was also very good, particularly "Paying the Price" and "Deep Waters", the weakest "Unknown Soldiers" still being pretty good. All four episodes of Season 5 were brilliant, especially "Penny for the Guy" and "No Other Love".

After a pretty good but flawed "Appendix Man", it's pretty much the same with "One Man's Meat". A pretty good episode but a couple of steps down from the brilliant previous season.

Some parts of "One Man's Meat" are more interesting and better developed than others. For instance the body of the teenage girl in the canal case feels more satisfyingly resolved and given more explanation and development into how the case is solved than the disappearance of the inspector where it did feel most of the time like it was open to interpretation as to what happened to him.

Pacing could have tightened ever so slightly at times as well.

On the other hand, "One Man's Meat" is very well made visually. It matches 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.

The script is well written, with a few very amusing quips from Frost and some great funny moments with the dog, and thought-provoking, while the direction is solid. Most of the story is compelling and fun to watch unfold, with a shockingly violent ending.

Frost is a remarkably well-established character , 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.

Jason is impeccable as always and there is solid support from Bruce Alexander, John Lyons and the whole supporting cast.

All in all, good episode though not a 'Frost' classic. 7/10 Bethany Cox