Parker Lewis The UK TV industry pumps out an endless supply of police dramas, and The Last Detective is in my humble opinion one that didn't appear to get the recognition it deserves. It's quite atmospheric in capturing London (not the City of London Corporation London if you know what I mean). We see the cramped police office where DC "Dangerous' Davies works (Dangerous is an ironic nickname) who at first doesn't get much respect from DI Aspinall and DS Pimlott and DC Barrett. The three take the mickey out of him at first, but DI Aspinall develops a grudging respect for Dangerous, and they start to bond. WPC Kapoor provides support to Dangerous.A sub-plot is Dangerous's relationship with his estranged wife, Julie, and it's encouraging to see their marriage restored over the four seasons. Also Dangerous's friendship with Mod, an Irishman, provides thoughtful and light moments. Also the St Bernard is so cute.We also see the gray skies, the crowded street, the pubs (at least one pub scene per episode), the shoulder-to-shoulder accommodation, the run-down bedsits. It's London and great to see The Last Detective capture this.It's a shame The Last Detective ran for only four seasons. It deserved more, and who knows, maybe one day The Last Detective can be rebooted.

bailey-486 Like a previous poster, I too thought of Dixon of Dock Green (which I remember from about 1956 - it was on every Saturday night) as I first watched "The Last Detective", which I just recently discovered. However, as I watched more of the series I began to realize that it's really quite different. Firstly, Dixon was respected by his colleagues and bosses, whereas Dangerous is definitely not. Secondly, he lived with his daughter's family (his son-in-law was a detective in the same police station) and had a comfortable home life with people who loved him...again, totally different from poor Dangerous. Thirdly, Dixon refused promotion because he just wanted to be "an ordinary copper". I'm sure Dangerous would be delighted to be promoted, but because no one really realizes what a good job he does, it will never happen!"Dixon of Dock Green" was made and broadcast on the BBC in the 50s up to the 70s, and certainly the ones I remember (50s and early 60s) featured cozy stories with happy endings and nothing really nasty. There were sad things, of course (like when the young policeman was killed) but mostly everything was all right in the end. "The Last Detective", while not wallowing in the nasty stuff, could certainly not be described as "cozy". Dangerous (wonderfully played by Peter Davison, a favourite since his Tristan days) is a very nice man, if a bit too ready to take all the abuse his colleagues heap on him. I would like to see him stand up for himself a bit more!I am enjoying "The Last Detective" every bit as much as I enjoyed "Dixon of Dock Green" all those years ago and can't wait to see Series 4 on DVD.

pawebster Peter Davison is just right for this role. He plays Dangerous as a real person, who is actually clever and strong at the same time as being a soft touch, basically because of sheer niceness. This could easily be cloying or sentimental, but Davison avoids this pitfall with seeming ease.As with so many detective series, our hero (who solves every case, while his colleagues and superior are getting things wrong) is seriously undervalued by the police force, so much so that he is still a detective constable when he must be close the the police retiring age. This is as unbelievable here as it always is.His friend, played by Sean Hughes, is a handicap to the series in my opinion. He is supposed to be there for quirky comic relief, but I just find him irritating.On the other hand, Dangerous' bossy hot-and-cold wife is a definite asset.

rleather I'm 32 years old and somehow this reminds me of what I imagine Dixon of DockGreen was like.Each story is layered out with care and attention, good humor and the sort of warmth that only Peter D. can put into a performance. See his previous work in 'A very peculiar practice' or 'Meet the Braithwaits' for examples of what I mean.It will never be as successful as 'Inspector Morse' or as breathtakingly fresh as 'Spooks' but to count these as negatives would be a mistake. Its like watching a favorite uncle telling a familiar and yet fascinating story. You know your in good hands and its very safe, but you just can't help but love it.Its the St. Bernard dog of detectives.