A Mind to Kill: Series Two

Movie / Show Details

Detective Chief Inspector Noel Bain (Philip Madoc) is a hard-working, middle-aged Welsh policeman with a frequently ineffectual superior, a headstrong teenage daughter, and a budding relationship with the local pathologist. In this second series of seven episodes, produced for commercial television from 1994 to 2004, Bain and his team are drawn into and eventually solve a succession of grisly homicides that also include petty larceny, arson, kidnapping, paid hits, incest, drug abuse, rape, and more—,fairly standard police drama fare. Unfortunately, the stories and characters have a decidedly dated look and feel, with clothing and hairstyles, sound track, and special effects acting as distractions rather than background. Of greater interest than either the writing or the acting is the harsh urban and rural Welsh setting, a culture and landscape that are comparatively unfamiliar to many U.S. viewers. Bonus features include a cast filmography and a short clip from the Welsh-language version of the series. An optional purchase for most libraries.—,Linda Frederiksen, Washington State Univ. Lib., Vancouver Copyright 2011 Reed Business Information.