Taggart (TV Series) Falling in Love (2001) User Reviews

Jackie gets married.

[bethwilliam · 6/10 · 28 March 2008]

This is the last time we see Dr. Stephen Andrews who has been with the show from the very beginning. I can't remember how he is written out. However, Robert Robertson, who plays the crusty but lovable character, died of a heart attack 17 days after the episode aired in Scotland.

Davie O'Connor is taking his first parachute jump with members from his local tango club. When the chute fails to open he plummets to a grizzly death. Jardine discovers the line was cut, but also that the victim had terminal cancer. Suspicion immediately falls on Marie Doherty, the fiancée who now stands to inherit a lot of money.

When Jim Redpath, the second member of the club is murdered Jardine discovers that two members are living under false names. Both have done time for armed robbery. Complicating things is Amanda MacKay's behaviour toward several members. It becomes obvious that her fiancée, Jack Cooper has reason to be a jealous man and is soon arrested when incriminating photos surface.

Meanwhile Jackie is having second thoughts about her forthcoming marriage to DCS Brian Holmes. The episode ends with the happy couple leaving the Regristry office. This is a bitter-sweet moment that marks a transition in the long running episode of Taggart. We see the start of a relationship between Jardine and WPC Heather McIntyre which will soon end in tragedy. We know that Jackie's marriage will be short lived. Finally, we know that the scene of Dr. Stephen Andrews' giving Jackie a fatherly kiss is the last time we will see him.

Over time these characters have become important to us. They are family. Perhaps that is more important than the often bizarre story lines we have been subjected to.

Never really fell in love with this episode

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 12 June 2019]

When 'Taggart' was in its prime, so the Taggart era and the earlier Jardine episodes, it was deliberately paced but riveting television. Because the cases had a suspenseful creepiness and the characters and team dynamic are interesting. Although the late Jardine episodes were not as good or as consistent they were still watchable, and although 'Taggart' was always one of my most watched and eagerly anticipated shows throughout the show didn't really feel the same in the Burke era.

"Falling in Love", the penultimate Jardine episode (the last being "Death Trap"), is watchable. Although re-watching all the episodes has been a gradual process, do not remember any of the 'Taggart' episodes being irredeemably bad. Which "Falling in Love" definitely isn't. At the same time the show really isn't at its best here, have seen the episode twice now and both of those times it has struck me as a rather dull and strange episode that really should have been much better. It has moments, but it's consistency that's preferable.

Beginning with what was good about "Falling in Love", it looks great as always. Have always loved the gritty, like-a-character-of-its-own Scottish setting, the moody colour palette that adds to the grit and the slick photography. The music fits well and doesn't intrude or feel dull, while the theme song is not one to forget.

There are thought-provoking moments, the episode did start off well and intriguingly (complete with one of the show's, up to this point, most brutal murders) and the acting is fine. James MacPherson and Blythe Duff never put a foot wrong and love their chemistry. Have always loved the team dynamic in prime-'Taggart' and Robert Robertson makes a memorable last appearance here. He constantly stole his scenes and he does here, including a lovely moment with Duff (as mentioned previously). Jackie's subplot is handled quite relatably.

Did think that it could have featured less in the episode though, while character development within the team is always nice it distracts from the case a little. It's not just Jackie's subplot though, Jardine also has one and it's not a particularly interesting one to me. As said, "Falling in Love" did start off well but the case did lack suspense and surprises (the only major one being with the false identities, which is not exactly innovative territory) in my view and became duller and stranger as it went on.

Found myself not being particularly surprised by the final solution, which had become on the obvious side too early, and had become indifferent by that point to be honest. When it came to the supporting characters, the most interesting and most developed one was the first murder victim and all of it was from what we and the team learned about him. Otherwise, there was not enough to most of them to make one care for them.

In conclusion, watchable enough but didn't do much for me, and this is being said with sincere regret. 5/10