Viewed in a modern context, "Pie in the Sky" seems quaint and specific to its time and place that is rural England during the mid '90s. Fortunately, its charms are just as entertaining today as they were back then. Filmed in the days before HD television, the SD picture quality only reinforces this impression but having watched the entire series more times than I'd care to admit, I'll say it never fails to entertain. Though it may appeal more to anyone living through that period in history, there's been nothing quite like it before or since and fans of British police procedurals should give this series a go.
Richard Griffiths is perfectly cast as our intrepid Inspector Henry Crabbe, a gastronome whose infectious passion for cookery and English cuisine complement his sunset years in Barstock CID. Solving a host of often unusual crimes in the politically charged environment of the local police service along with working his dream job cooking for the small local eatery operated by he and his wife make for a unique example of the genre. It never takes itself too seriously and manages to offer a wide range of characters in stories that are short on moralizing and long on clever detail.
Richard Griffiths is perfectly cast as our intrepid Inspector Henry Crabbe, a gastronome whose infectious passion for cookery and English cuisine complement his sunset years in Barstock CID. Solving a host of often unusual crimes in the politically charged environment of the local police service along with working his dream job cooking for the small local eatery operated by he and his wife make for a unique example of the genre. It never takes itself too seriously and manages to offer a wide range of characters in stories that are short on moralizing and long on clever detail.