I think the Scottish accents and bleak landscapes and buildings are what set this apart in the early days of Scottish crime/detective series. Not the most natural or convincing acting, even by most guests stars, but interesting enough in terms or storylines and twists and turns. It's very dated and I found Mark McManus' character almost comical as he mumbles his way through the years, but it actually suits his character. The supporting cast aren't much better either, but at least they behave more believably as detectives than some current offerings. The writing isn't terribly original nor demanding, but it's managed to hold viewer attention for so many years, they must be doing something right. Like Rebus, certain roles are good 'fits', even if not very believable. Always nice to watch a show that reflects a bit of the local character and 'feel' of the place and its people. Ireland, Scotland and Wales have all managed to produce shows that showcase their regions and provide some fairly solid entertainment at the same time.
