Taggart (TV Series) Dead Man Walking (2005) User Reviews

The case of the murdered mechanic

[bethwilliam · 7/10 · 29 June 2007]

Andy, a mechanic has been strung up and burnt alive in his garage. Was someone taking revenge for a shonky repair job? The theory is quickly discounted when the Callaghan brothers come to the attention of the investigating team. They are a couple of ruthless gangsters living with their Aunt after serving 20 years for murder.

Suddenly a police informant has his fingers removed and spends the next hour refusing to assist the police with their inquiries. The climax is a ruthless showdown between the brothers and an old adversary who is trying to get his daughter back.

This episode has it all, a kidnapping, revenge and a witness in hiding.

I have been disappointed by Taggart in the past few weeks. However, this is a return to form. One cloud on the horizon is Colin McCredie who is turning into Scotland's most annoying Bobby. I can't see him lasting much longer.

Not exactly dynamic, but a decent episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 2 February 2024]

A mechanic named Andy is tortured and killed at his garage. Initial suspicion points the team to The Callaghan brothers, a violent and vindictive duo, who always manage to steer clear of the law.

Quite a good episode this one, I loved the opening sequences, very gritty and nasty, I don't think the rest of the episode was quite as good, or have quite the same tone, but still a decent watch.

Lots happening here, murder, torture, humour, not a patch on the show's earlier years, but it does boast a very dramatic ending.

Wow, Jed and Archie Callaghan are really the most annoying duo of all, initially I couldn't make out I'd they were a couple of brothers, one thing I knew, they were way over the top. A bit like The Chuckle Brothers.

Never answer the door when someone says 'post.'

6/10.

More dead than alive

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 2 March 2021]

"Dead Man Walking" was one of the episodes part of the period when first getting into 'Taggart'. Even when first getting into the show though, it didn't strike me as a great or even a particularly good episode. Just found it on the whole too obvious, lacking in tension and indicative that 'Taggart' was running out of ideas. Decided recently though to rewatch "Dead Man Walking" though, as there have been some episodes of the show that fared better on rewatch.

Sadly, "Dead Man Walking" isn't one of them. It definitely has its good things and moments, but my feelings on first watch are not much different here. There are some great episodes from the Burke period, such as "Compensation" and "A Death Foretold", but this never did much for me on the whole. Do feel bad saying this and also feel bad about having disagreeing with the previous reviewer about it being a return to form for 'Taggart', while agreeing that this was not one of the show's best periods at this point.

Will start with the good things. "Dead Man Walking" looks good, with the usual grit and moodiness in the photography. The scenery is both picturesque and unforgiving. The theme tune is still memorable, makes one nostalgic for the 80s while fitting the gritty tone of the show very well. The acting from the regulars is very good, especially from, as usual, Blythe Duff. Really like the chemistry between the team, their banter and the way they work.

The story has moments. The opening scene is brutal and there are a few interesting and unexpected twists, especially regarding the intended target and the motive. The supporting cast on the whole are quite good, the Callaghan brothers' ruthlessness being very convincing on the whole.

However, there is a feel of 'Taggart' running out of ideas, with a story that has a few too many familiar ideas (which made it feel predictable), the responsible is far too obvious too early (due to the suspects being far too few) and a pace that could have done with more tautness. The script has some nice banter, but could have been tighter.

It was during this period where the music started going downhill and where it started to not just no longer fit but also show its age. It would have worked in a 'Taggart' episode 10 years before but in this episode it was like 10 plus years too late. Although the climax is dramatic, it is also predictable, lacking in tension and in a couple of cases overacted. While the supporting acting is not bad at all, the little girl's acting in the climax looked very under-rehearsed.

Overall, not a terrible episode but it is with regret saying that it has never done much for me. Sorry. 5/10