Taggart (TV Series) Ring of Deceit Part One (1992) User Reviews

Another serial "mudderer!"

[bethwilliam · 7/10 · 26 June 2006]

Research scientist Julie Smith refuses an offer of help from Peter Brenton after her car fails to start outside a railway station. Her body is later discovered at the city rubbish dump. She is the latest victim in a series of assaults on women in South Glasgow. But the first to end in murder. The assailant, nicknamed "THE MECHANIC" always disables his victims' cars.

Jeweller, Albert Newman is concerned by his son, Maurice's, strange behaviour on the night of the murder. His fears seem to be justified when a crystalline powder used in gem cutting is found on the victim.

Barry and Eddie Richards, who own a waste disposal firm are secretly being filmed by Jamie O'Hare, a competitor who has been driven into bankruptcy.

Micheal Jardine appears in a television program called CRISIS POINT. Presenter, Alison Bain is not prepared to give the police an easy time of it. As the first episode ends Maurice Newman arrives for a clandestine meeting with Peter Brenton.

Fans of vintage Taggart will not be disappointed with this 2 part drama.

The Mechanic

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 18 September 2018]

Have always adored detective dramas/mystery series. This has been apparent from an early age, half my life even, when getting into Agatha Christie through Joan Hickson's Miss Marple and David Suchet's Poirot and into 'Inspector Morse'.

Whether it's the more complex ones like 'Inspector Morse' (and its prequel series 'Endeavour') and anything Agatha Christie. Whether it's the grittier ones like 'A Touch of Frost' (though that is balanced brilliantly with comedy too). And whether it's the light-hearted ones like 'Murder She Wrote'. 'Taggart' is one of the biggest examples of the grittier ones, especially the Mark McManus years and the earlier James MaPherson episodes.

"Ring of Deceit" is a wonderful episode, not quite one of the show's best with it being even better if it was a little more taut. What made 'Taggart' such a good show when it was in its prime is evident here. The characterisation here is meatier than seen pre-Jardine era, therefore more interesting with more development to Taggart and everything here just works.

Really like the slick, gritty look and Glasgow is like an ominous character on its own. The music matches the show's tone and has a good amount of atmosphere while the theme song/tune is one that stays in the memory for a long time. Really like Taggart and Jardine's chemistry here, which sees some priceless exchanges with them, and have always found it more interesting and settled than with Taggart and Livingstone. The relationship between Jardine and Reid is also blossoming nicely, showing promising signs as to why it was one of the best things about the era when Jardine was in charge.

As to be expected, "Ring of Deceit" is thoughtfully scripted with nothing ridiculous happening and things being taken seriously without being too morose. The story is involving in its complexity and intricacy with nothing being what it seems, making the most of the long length (have generally found the 2000s episodes too short and rushed) without padding anything out. Some parts are not for the faint hearted, but nothing feels gratuitous and the investigations are compelling and with enough twists to stop it from being obvious. The ending is unexpected and clever, and and there is a constant sense of unease.

Good acting helps, with Mark McManus being a suitably tough and blunt presence throughout and James MacPherson being every bit his equal. Blythe Duff continues to impress and Iain Anders is suitably hard-edged. Robert Robertson as ever steals scenes. Nice to see Sian Thomas.

Concluding, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox