I discovered this wonderful British series on the A & E Channel in 1989 while I was temporarily staying with my grieving mother after my dad passed away.
As a result of this first viewing, I ended up following this entertaining show through all of its 5 or 6 seasons and adored the four stars playing Lovejoy, Lady Felsham, Tinker and Eric. I was overjoyed years later to find the talented Phyllis Logan playing the prim yet kindly instructive Ms. Hughes in "Downton Abbey" and followed that series through its full run as well.
Somehow though I did not recall this 2-part episode of Lovejoy, and now after rewatching both episodes, I may know why. Except for Lady Jane and the tour guide who gets shot (but thankfully not killed), the other two women who co-star are remarkably inept and unconvincing, and truthfully the two parts lack any of the spark, wit or suspense of previous or subsequent episodes.
As it turns out, Ian McShane's (then and now) wife Gwen Humble appears in a pivotal role (or two) and while she is indeed lovely in appearance, her acting is embarrassingly stilted in comparison to Mr. McShane and the late Mr. Knox.
Additionally, the Venice scenery is nice but overcast and dull, and you will recognize many locales which were more favorably showcased in David Lean's excellent 1955 film "Summertime" with Katharine Hepburn and Rosanno Brazzi.
Overall, as the other reviewers also noted, these are two of the weakest episodes of the series, but I will watch anything with the sexy, smooth-tongued Ian.
Catch him (as a twenty-something gypsy) with an also young Hayley Mills in one of his earliest roles in the 1960's film "Gypsy Girl" or as the movie was originally released: "Sky West and Crooked."
As a result of this first viewing, I ended up following this entertaining show through all of its 5 or 6 seasons and adored the four stars playing Lovejoy, Lady Felsham, Tinker and Eric. I was overjoyed years later to find the talented Phyllis Logan playing the prim yet kindly instructive Ms. Hughes in "Downton Abbey" and followed that series through its full run as well.
Somehow though I did not recall this 2-part episode of Lovejoy, and now after rewatching both episodes, I may know why. Except for Lady Jane and the tour guide who gets shot (but thankfully not killed), the other two women who co-star are remarkably inept and unconvincing, and truthfully the two parts lack any of the spark, wit or suspense of previous or subsequent episodes.
As it turns out, Ian McShane's (then and now) wife Gwen Humble appears in a pivotal role (or two) and while she is indeed lovely in appearance, her acting is embarrassingly stilted in comparison to Mr. McShane and the late Mr. Knox.
Additionally, the Venice scenery is nice but overcast and dull, and you will recognize many locales which were more favorably showcased in David Lean's excellent 1955 film "Summertime" with Katharine Hepburn and Rosanno Brazzi.
Overall, as the other reviewers also noted, these are two of the weakest episodes of the series, but I will watch anything with the sexy, smooth-tongued Ian.
Catch him (as a twenty-something gypsy) with an also young Hayley Mills in one of his earliest roles in the 1960's film "Gypsy Girl" or as the movie was originally released: "Sky West and Crooked."