kmatlack For starters, Grantchester isn't really a mystery. It's a 21st century soap opera dressed up as a 1950's period piece. Very little time in the very short hour of the program is actually spent on any mystery or how it's solved. The show revolves around the sordid lives of most of the characters. An alcoholic, chain-smoking, carnal Anglican priest, a cop who cheats on his wife, a wife who cheats on her husband and so on and on. I think the only honest, honorable character is Leonard, the homosexual priest, who takes his vows and commitment to the church seriously and really is a good man. Not a single social justice issue or talking point escapes the writers even though most of what they're lecturing viewers about had nothing to do with how anyone in the 50's lived. They seem to have no idea at all of history. All the characters and especially the Vicar seem to have no problem making excuses for their terrible behavior. Giving in to temptation is just fine because God wants them to be happy. What a sad, ugly, depressing little show.

johnm-38132 Awhile back I wrote some more negative reviews of this show...mostly centered around the improbability that a clergyman would be solving murders. Took awhile, but once I got over that stumbling block, I started to really enjoy this show. The show is 50% solving crimes and 50% an intimate portrait of the show's primary characters. All the characters are likable despite some major flaws. The Season 3 finale was exceptional. Lots of love, tears and forgiveness. Love the period setting and costumes. Love the cast and acting. Good story lines and love the gay theme via Leonard and Daniel. James Norton, who plays Sidney, is superb and quite easy on the eyeballs. Hope the show lasts longer. PBS, here in the USA, is really struggling to get something as good as Downton Abbey was.

jogliore-267-117475 I know this series takes place during the 50's but why have all the smoking? Do the producers and directors not know of the health issues that smoking causes? The writing is superb as well as the acting. What spoils it is the constant smoking. What lesson does it teach to young viewers? That once a crisis point is reached you reach for a cigarette? The actors are shortening their lives by smoking

jeandsinclair-34799 There's no such regiment in British Army as Scottish Guards, but the Scots Gusrds has a long history. Scotch whisky has no e in name - that's for Irish and other whiskeys. Having lived in Cambridge for 2 months while working at Fulbourn Hospital in 1986, then spending odd periods there 1989 to 1994, working with Bridge adventure camps (set up by two Christ's College students) and British Antarctic Survey, then from 1999 - 2013, I loved the chance to spot old haunts, where I've cycled, kayaked, run and walked. I wasn't alive in 1950s, and have never been an Anglican, despite attending C of E primary schools in 1970s, yet I loved the feel of the series. Excellent acting, especially by leading men. Not bad to look at, either and Robson Green's Geordie accent is a happy reminder of years spent in Tyneside :-)