Review Details

Matlock Police - Volume 6

Product Review (submitted on 15 March 2017):

Volume 6 of Matlock Police is the most interesting release to date.
The look of the show is improving, however we are still being subjected to drab Black and White, but not for much longer, as colour is'nt far off.
The most memorable episode is 'Poppy and the Closet Junkie', written by the American Writer Everette De Roche.
The episode is haunting and even though the opening scenes are overdone, the interplay between real time and past events is well documented.
We get a glimpse of what happened to Luke Reed and how he got addicted to Morphine.
'Poppy and the Closet Junkie' is totally Harold Hopkin's episode
and he knows it, playing the embattled Reed to the hilt.
The tension between Luke's brother and his wife and Luke's manipulation of them is well explored.
Another personal favourite is 'Country Hospitality', one of the first experimental episodes where the action takes place leading up to the theme music.
Earlier episodes had the Music first, then the action.
"Country Hospitality' shines because it's a character driven episode.
Keith Kay is hilarious as Harold, however his constant swatting of imaginary Flies is annoying.
Walter Pym as Elliot Barker is a stand-out.
The actor was in his early 70's and perfectly cast as an oddball living a strange lifestyle in the never never with his sons.
The Actor who played Billy excelled himself as one of Elliot's retarded sons.
The character is annoying, however it's easy to feel sorry for him.
Actress Sandy Gore is miscast as Evelyn, as she's too young and attractive to be living a Pension lifestyle in the Bush.
Serge Lazereff is menacing as Elliot's Psycho son, Arnie and is completely unlikeable.
The episode states the area is called 'Chinaman's Creek', however the wording on the Slick says 'Arthur's Creek'.
Tom Farley's portrayal of 'Holy Joe'
(..'Don't bother looking for his Halo, he lopped it off years ago'....
says Gary Hogan)
is one of his typical old Codger roles he got stuck with, despite being articulate and well educated in real life.
'Country Hospitality' is a character driven and effective episode on many levels.
Volume 6 of Matlock Police has a lot going for it and I will continue purchasing further episodes as they are released.