Good story, interesting role switch. Must say, while I find it odd that actors are switched during a series I find this Helen far more believable and likeable than the previous one. There is actual chemistry between her and Lynley; you can see them as a couple. The previous one, Lesley Vickerage, had as much chemistry with Lynley as a brick and I struggled to see why they were even friends let alone married.
10 Reviews
Havers in charge
blanche-225 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
And eureka, another Helen. Thank goodness. I never liked Lesley Vickerage.
In this episode, which begins season 5, Lynley is still suspended for his rough treatment of a murderer in the episode that ended season 4. Havers has apparently been assigned to several different people in the meantime. This time it's D. I. Fiona Knight (Liza Tarbuck), who is about to give birth. That doesn't stop her from being one tough and opinionated detective. Lynley is involving himself in the case, which is not looked upon well by Knight, but Havers secretly agrees to let him do a few things. Of course he pays no attention to her and gets right in the thick of it. In the midst of all this, Helen (Catherine Russell) pops back into his life.
This episode features a grand reversal of roles -- Havers is the boss and Lynley is the underling. As Havers never paid any attention to him, Lynley acts in kind. The two have great chemistry and camaraderie. She is to speak for him before the board that will decide his fate, and he keeps asking her what's she's going to say. "The truth," she answers.
The mystery itself begins in a very frightening way, as a woman is abandoned in a car by her boyfriend and another car pushes her into a nearby lake, drowning her. Later on, her boyfriend is also found dead. The female victim leaves a little daughter behind as well as her husband, who is, of course, a suspect.
There are actually two separate mysteries going on here, one concerning the woman and another concerning something else. In order to investigate the second matter further, Lynley checks into a kind of sanitarium, called a "retreat" and starts snooping around. Not what Havers had in mind.
Sharon Small is terrific - looking great with longer hair and her Havers is much more confident and vibrant. Nathaniel Parker is not his usual immaculate self as he runs through the countryside.
Gorgeous coastal scenery. Recommended.
In this episode, which begins season 5, Lynley is still suspended for his rough treatment of a murderer in the episode that ended season 4. Havers has apparently been assigned to several different people in the meantime. This time it's D. I. Fiona Knight (Liza Tarbuck), who is about to give birth. That doesn't stop her from being one tough and opinionated detective. Lynley is involving himself in the case, which is not looked upon well by Knight, but Havers secretly agrees to let him do a few things. Of course he pays no attention to her and gets right in the thick of it. In the midst of all this, Helen (Catherine Russell) pops back into his life.
This episode features a grand reversal of roles -- Havers is the boss and Lynley is the underling. As Havers never paid any attention to him, Lynley acts in kind. The two have great chemistry and camaraderie. She is to speak for him before the board that will decide his fate, and he keeps asking her what's she's going to say. "The truth," she answers.
The mystery itself begins in a very frightening way, as a woman is abandoned in a car by her boyfriend and another car pushes her into a nearby lake, drowning her. Later on, her boyfriend is also found dead. The female victim leaves a little daughter behind as well as her husband, who is, of course, a suspect.
There are actually two separate mysteries going on here, one concerning the woman and another concerning something else. In order to investigate the second matter further, Lynley checks into a kind of sanitarium, called a "retreat" and starts snooping around. Not what Havers had in mind.
Sharon Small is terrific - looking great with longer hair and her Havers is much more confident and vibrant. Nathaniel Parker is not his usual immaculate self as he runs through the countryside.
Gorgeous coastal scenery. Recommended.
well-written script
hillrosemary25 May 2007
I actually thought the script was pretty good and it was clever in that it combined the plot of the crime with some of Lynley's personal upheavals. This particular scriptwriter is one of my favourites. The dialogue in the car where Havers promised Lynley she would save his dignity by making the video of his therapy session disappear actually made me laugh out loud, and the role reversal, with Havers bossing Lynley around and Lynley having to take the flak was, I thought, superbly done.
I consider myself equally horrendous at spotting the killer, and I didn't spot this one until about ten minutes before the end. Having once identified the person concerned, however, I had no difficulty seeing why they would have acted as they did. But all the way through there were several people who could quite possibly have been responsible.
I consider myself equally horrendous at spotting the killer, and I didn't spot this one until about ten minutes before the end. Having once identified the person concerned, however, I had no difficulty seeing why they would have acted as they did. But all the way through there were several people who could quite possibly have been responsible.
One of the best Inspector Lynley episodes ever
Mystery_maven9 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of the best Inspector Lynley episodes ever. Lynley is suspended (I can't recall why) but is still "around" on the outskirts in a vague sort of way (won't go into too much detail to avoid spoilers). Havers, working temporarily for a new boss, is spunkier than I've ever seen her, and it's a joy to see the self-esteem that has finally come to her after years of working cases with Lynley. Also, the repartee between the two of them that occurs in this episode is really heart-warming (it actually brought tears to my eyes a couple of times), and is done with nice touches of both pathos and humor. The mystery was interesting, compelling even, and in places very scary/suspenseful. I didn't guess who the killer was until about 10 minutes until the end. The setting was very interesting: I'd like to know what part of England this particular episode was set in..... somewhere along the coast, as it was flat and sandy and a lighthouse featured at one point.
This is one I will rent when it finally comes out on DVD, as it's good enough to watch a second time. *And* I will hunt down the book this episode was based upon, as well, if there is one.
This is one I will rent when it finally comes out on DVD, as it's good enough to watch a second time. *And* I will hunt down the book this episode was based upon, as well, if there is one.
Good work Barbara.
mtevens10 September 2007
Sorry mystery_perry. This is one of the new ones that isn't based on a book. But all in all a satisfying show. Like the other commenters I didn't figure out whodunnit until toward the end. At the beginning I was wondering why the Doctor wanted to take charge of the child so persistently, but it was pushed to back of my mind until the "real father" business came up.
OK, another Helen, but this one is a lot better than that cold stick that Leslie Vickerage played. I could see Tommy actually wanting to get back with her.
As for my favorite character, Barbara Havers is coming out of her shell. She's learned to dress a little better, and she seems more confident. But it is funny that she still called Lynley "Sir" even when she was the DI in charge.
OK, another Helen, but this one is a lot better than that cold stick that Leslie Vickerage played. I could see Tommy actually wanting to get back with her.
As for my favorite character, Barbara Havers is coming out of her shell. She's learned to dress a little better, and she seems more confident. But it is funny that she still called Lynley "Sir" even when she was the DI in charge.
Great series opener, cracking episode.
Sleepin_Dragon14 August 2021
With Lynley fighting for his career, Havers steps up to discover who killer s beautiful, young blonde woman in a most callous fashion.
I'm a big fan of this episode, and remember it very well from the original transmission, as I was in Dungeoness at the time. The opening sequences are hugely dramatic, and very memorable, there's something macabre about the crime. It's a cracking story, and definitely one of the show's best.
At times it felt like Havers overtook on the show, in this episode she very much does exactly that, Small at her best, and looking rather sophisticated here too. I like the dynamic between Havers and Knight, it's always the case that when a new boss is in town that they're always awful, Knight is great.
Amazing locations, the wonderful setting definitely enhances the episode.
Great acting from a strong cast, Liza Tarbuck is cracking here, as is George Costigan. Personally, I favoured Catherine Russell as Helen, she's a little less scathing than Vickerage.
Very impressive, I rte this episode very highly, 9/10.
I'm a big fan of this episode, and remember it very well from the original transmission, as I was in Dungeoness at the time. The opening sequences are hugely dramatic, and very memorable, there's something macabre about the crime. It's a cracking story, and definitely one of the show's best.
At times it felt like Havers overtook on the show, in this episode she very much does exactly that, Small at her best, and looking rather sophisticated here too. I like the dynamic between Havers and Knight, it's always the case that when a new boss is in town that they're always awful, Knight is great.
Amazing locations, the wonderful setting definitely enhances the episode.
Great acting from a strong cast, Liza Tarbuck is cracking here, as is George Costigan. Personally, I favoured Catherine Russell as Helen, she's a little less scathing than Vickerage.
Very impressive, I rte this episode very highly, 9/10.
Impressive start to season 5
safenoe16 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This opener to season 5 sees Lynley downing two shots of some alcohol from a London pub (which looks scenic from the outside) before heading into his disciplinary hearing, where it appears he is facing charges for acting like Dirty Harry to protect an innocent victim. Lynley also reunites with his estranged wife Helen, who has gone an extreme makeover since we last saw her at the end of season 3 when she ran away to be with her sister I think. I say extreme makeover because Helen is now played by Catherine Russell. Helen didn't make an appearance in season 4 so maybe the writers could have indicated she underwent a facelift or something like that, hence explaining the transformation from Lesley Vickerage, who herself transformed from Emma Fielding who played Helen in the Pilot (sort of like Dick York/Sargent in a way?). It's nice to see more warmth in the relationship between Lynley and Helen, so who knows, maybe they can get back together. In this episode we learn Helen has been appointed a professor at some university in London. UCL, Imperial, King's College?
The no-nonsense DI Fiona Knight, played by Liza Tarbuck (who resembles Australian actress Gina Riley), is Haver's supervisor. Knight becomes more sympathetic towards the end when she recognizes the respect Havers has towards the still-suspended Lynley who does unofficial work in solving the mystery. From her hospital bed (DI Knight is close to giving birth), and authorizes Havers to be the acting DI and supervise Havers! In fact Liza Tarbuck is currently a BBC 2 radio presenter, where she presents a Saturday night program. You can listen to it live streaming. Talking of which, there's a fascinating scene where Lynley surfs the web on his laptop in his car the middle of the British seaside/countryside to find out more about the 2 murder victims. This was in 2006 so no wi-fi believe it or not!! So really, Lynley would have used a dongle plugged into his laptop to do web surfing, which would have been an expensive price plan at the time believe it or not.
Saskia Reeves plays Eileen Edwards, who owns a rehab clinic called The Trust, and Saskia is sadly one of the most underrated actresses in the UK. Saskia Reeves has a six degrees of separation link with Liza Tarbuck. Saskia Reeves starred with Clive Owen in the very, very controversial and risqué movie Close My Eyes. Anyway, Liza and Clive were classmates at the prestigious RADA.
I liked the atmosphere in this series, where we see the British seaside/countryside, the cute steam train going back and forth, the wind swept fields. Well done to the director of photography.
Also worth highlighting is the performance of Neelam Bakshi, who played a solicitor in the police interrogation room.
The no-nonsense DI Fiona Knight, played by Liza Tarbuck (who resembles Australian actress Gina Riley), is Haver's supervisor. Knight becomes more sympathetic towards the end when she recognizes the respect Havers has towards the still-suspended Lynley who does unofficial work in solving the mystery. From her hospital bed (DI Knight is close to giving birth), and authorizes Havers to be the acting DI and supervise Havers! In fact Liza Tarbuck is currently a BBC 2 radio presenter, where she presents a Saturday night program. You can listen to it live streaming. Talking of which, there's a fascinating scene where Lynley surfs the web on his laptop in his car the middle of the British seaside/countryside to find out more about the 2 murder victims. This was in 2006 so no wi-fi believe it or not!! So really, Lynley would have used a dongle plugged into his laptop to do web surfing, which would have been an expensive price plan at the time believe it or not.
Saskia Reeves plays Eileen Edwards, who owns a rehab clinic called The Trust, and Saskia is sadly one of the most underrated actresses in the UK. Saskia Reeves has a six degrees of separation link with Liza Tarbuck. Saskia Reeves starred with Clive Owen in the very, very controversial and risqué movie Close My Eyes. Anyway, Liza and Clive were classmates at the prestigious RADA.
I liked the atmosphere in this series, where we see the British seaside/countryside, the cute steam train going back and forth, the wind swept fields. Well done to the director of photography.
Also worth highlighting is the performance of Neelam Bakshi, who played a solicitor in the police interrogation room.
Disappointed.
thatdrattedcat-19 January 2007
I admit, this Inspector Lynley Mystery had some delightful moments. For one, the scenery was used to great effect, with the lines of telephone poles fading hazily into the distance and the wind rustling over the great stretches of browned grass of Kent. Additionally, I was charmed by Liza Tarbuck playing a VERY pregnant DI Fiona Knight, Havers's new partner while Lynley is under investigation. I also admit to enjoying a few brief moments of banter between Lynley and Havers.
However, 'Natural Causes' greatly disappointed me, overall. For one, Catherine Russell marks the third Helen Lynley cast in the series, after Lesley Vickarage and Emma Fielding, which completely threw me off--I spent most of the episode assuming she was someone else entirely, and then realized that- wait!- even though she is nothing like her predecessors, this was indeed Helen speaking with a (greasy and lank-haired) Lynley.
The worst part of 'Natural Causes,' though, was the writing. One particular piece of banter between Lynley and Havers, while in the hospital room with DI Knight, simply doesn't make sense; the culprit's actions, throughout the entire story, also don't make sense; and the writers commit the gravest sin of mystery-writerdom: the whodunit is woefully predictable. I had the killer pinpointed within 10 minutes, and I'm HORRIBLE at pinpointing killers. You may want to skip this one and try another that uses the cast and crew to their full potential.
However, 'Natural Causes' greatly disappointed me, overall. For one, Catherine Russell marks the third Helen Lynley cast in the series, after Lesley Vickarage and Emma Fielding, which completely threw me off--I spent most of the episode assuming she was someone else entirely, and then realized that- wait!- even though she is nothing like her predecessors, this was indeed Helen speaking with a (greasy and lank-haired) Lynley.
The worst part of 'Natural Causes,' though, was the writing. One particular piece of banter between Lynley and Havers, while in the hospital room with DI Knight, simply doesn't make sense; the culprit's actions, throughout the entire story, also don't make sense; and the writers commit the gravest sin of mystery-writerdom: the whodunit is woefully predictable. I had the killer pinpointed within 10 minutes, and I'm HORRIBLE at pinpointing killers. You may want to skip this one and try another that uses the cast and crew to their full potential.
Oh Dear!
davyd-0223721 May 2021
Well, in terms of an entertaining who done it, this is quite interesting with nice locations near to Dungeness in Kent. However, when the villain is revealed it isnt totally clear how he could have managed to kill, given a thorough investigation at the start. Lynley is suspended and yet appears almost throughout, which means that Fiona Knight (DI) hardly gets a look in. In those days it appears the BBC had to ensure the male investigator was superior to any female one! Then we have Lynley walking down the street and bumping into "Helen" - but this Helen is "Catherine Russell" who is nothing like the previous 2. For one thing she smiles alot more than "lesley vickerage" ever did. DI Knight is not there at the end, but Lynley is which for me is quite disappointing given that she is a joy to watch throughout the piece, which, again for me, Lynley isnt!
The Helen Switch
rnorwood111 January 2019
Why do they do that, switch actors for a main character - do they think we won't notice? They replace Helens. Catherine Russell replacing Lesley Vickerage is almost criminal; she's dull and unappealing. Zero crowd appeal. Lesley at least was sexy and and you wanted her in. To make matters worse they draw Lynley in to an attraction that doesn't last with Caroline Miller (Matilda Ziegler) who's quite attractive and again, a character you could see in the series. They should've dropped Helen then and there given her absence in the series and went with Caroline Miller, a new love interest.
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