jamesmoule Review of The Doctor Blake Mysteries

The Doctor Blake Mysteries (2013–2018)

The BBC would be ashamed of this

[20 February 2013]

Melbourne has produced two costume dramas for the ABC in two years. This is indeed a partner for "Miss Fisher" and, unfortunately, has all its faults. Perhaps the reason for the obscurity of the original authors is their lack of knowledge, or perhaps complete disregard, for criminal law. Unlike realistic police dramas like "The Bill", even if just "soapies", these Australian period pieces treat police and The Law with contempt. In Dr. Blake's case, he would or should be arrested several times in each episode for breaking the law, usually perverting the course of justice but also for break and enter. The late '50s cannot be recreated just by rolling a couple of Ford Customlines onto the set. In the third episode, for example, a character is asked how he is feeling and starts his reply with "Yes", an irritating speech affectation of the 21st century. When Dr. Blake uncovers homosexuality, he and other characters show very liberal attitudes which were as rare as hens' teeth in those days, especially in country towns and especially among members of the medical profession. I blame Agatha Christie for this sort of sloppiness. No doubt the General Public will love it. Most people just don't care, I suppose, and will take my comments as those of a pedant.