A Touch of Frost (TV Series) Endangered Species (2006) User Reviews

David Jason is back and it's about time!

[jamiecostelo58 · 8/10 · 4 December 2006]

The brilliant David Jason returns as D.I. Frost 14 months after Near Death Experience. Angry at the failure to successfully prosecute an old enemy of Frost's, a disturbing phone call leads to an unexpected find...

This is where the Endangered Species comes in, leading Jack on an intriguing journey where beautiful, innocent creatures are tortured, killed and stuffed simply for profit. It does make for some interesting viewing and certainly throws some light into this worldwide problem.

As usual, David Jason throws himself brilliantly into the role of Frost, and there is great chemistry between him and Blake Ritson as D.S. Robert 'Elvis' Presley, while we also see the return of a familiar face.

A welcome return to form, with the usual gaffes, and we have another hit with viewers.

"Is this ivory sir?" "It was a gift Jack" "Not from the elephant"

[ygwerin1 · 8/10 · 22 October 2020]

One of the things that stands out like a sore thumb on Touch of Frost for me, is some of the unlikely relationships that we are supposed to believe are possible.

By that I mean between Frost and his lady friends, the lady in this episode Julie Brown is especially unbelievable. Why because the age difference is so huge, that Jack is old and ripe enough to be her grandfather.

Here Frost has a new lodger at his pad a young DC Robert Presley, and the arrangement is not exactly conducive to household harmony.

The crimes involved in this episode are particularly gruesome, something not exactly uncommon in this programme.

But aside from the usual suspects is the horrendous, International trade in rare and endagered wild animals.

There are allegedly laws about the import and export of wild animals, but personally its nowhere near stringent enough. Frankly no one should be allowed to buy, sell or own any wild animals and that includes insects.

This Episode clearly shows how aspects of the trade is possible and segways together, and spreads its tentacles into a worldwide multi million £ business.

The main character in this fictional drama the Millionaire business man Kenneth Shaw, simply feels that he is immune because he is 'Big and Powerful'. He considered that he can own his own personal zoo, replete with polar bear and penguins as a "Collector".

Back in our 'Real World' who would imagine that the friendly neighbourhood, pet shop or garden centre could possibly be part of such a global business racket?

Any chance of having a snowball in hells chance of getting to the bottom of matters, let alone cracking the case is exacerbated by the old bill.

The list starts with the usual culprit Mullett with his jobsworth, penny pinching attitude and approach to policing.

It continues it has to be said with Frost himself, and his dog in the manger manner and general demeanour

Flawed but still great

[grantss · 8/10 · 14 August 2022]

A less-than-perfect episode of Frost. The secondary investigation, involving the dead stranger found in the house, was over the moment it was discovered he died of natural causes but Frost and several other police officers spend their time on a wild goose chase. While it's interesting enough it's quite pointless.

The other main flaw is the incredibly implausible romantoc sub-plot involving Frost and the gym instructor, 30 or so years his junior. The relationship was implausible when it was briefly brought up in the last episode and it's even more far-fetched now.

This said, the remainder of the episode is excellent. The murder is intriguing and the animal smuggling involved very sad and emotional.

Insanely good...pure genius

[jacobkilby · 9/10 · 18 February 2016]

This episode has such a lot going for it... The storyline is brilliant with the idea of illegally imported animals, who are easily the stars of the show, although this might be because there isn't anything else like it. There is also a secondary case involving a school teacher which is rather interesting. Overall, the two plots compliment each other well and there is hardly a dull moment. There are a few jokes as with most things involving David Jason and DC Presley is a good character who ought to be used more often than just this episode. The reason why it didn't get 10 and instead 9 is because I felt Frost was a bit too racist towards Asia - I appreciate this skepticism exists but it was mentioned too often in the script although with a character like Frost it is quite believable. Well worth watching - you are very unlikely to be disappointed.

Frost Is Not Perfect Which Makes Him Nearly Perfect

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 1 October 2015]

In this episode, which focuses on people transporting exotic animals for profit, Inspector Frost becomes and advocate for animal rights. Once again, he is politically incorrect in his day to day interactions. He uses words like "Chinaman" and uses racial stereotypes. I'm sure the writers weren't stupid enough to not notice this. Stereotyping is done constantly in prime time television, here in the 21st century. It's primarily related to people of color, most specifically blacks. Frost is not a role model; he never has been. He fixates on whatever case he is on and often steps on toes. That's why Mullett is so frequently at odds with him. What he is is an interesting character, warts and all. He can be cruel and he can be kind. There is a secondary case involving a beautiful young teacher who has an affair with a student. It isn't all that interesting. Frost understands but there is the law. If every detective on TV were squeaky clean, it would be incredibly dull.

They still make shows like this?

[El Cine · 16 September 2015]

The detective show clichés and grotesque violence aren't worth discussing. What took me aback was that the characters and dialogue don't seem to be from 2006, but 1946. As part of a plot about animals smuggled from Asia, a man of Asian descent is brutally murdered. When white females are killed, TV cops have been known to spend a little *too* much time lingering over their corpses and staring wistfully at the crime scene photos. For this victim, Inspector Frost instead makes offhand references to "the Chinaman" over and over. What, did the screenwriters dust off a pulp novel from 70 years ago?

It gets worse. The body is found with a notebook of writing in a language Frost assumes is Chinese. "It is, in fact, a notebook, and not a menu," he tells his all-white police squad. Finally, they identify the victim as Lahn Loc, a smuggler with a Vietnamese background working with another man named Flanagan. Superintendent Mullett struggles to discuss the two crooks "Flanagan and that man called, er... The Vietnamese." Right, 'cause Lahn Loc is soooo hard to pronounce. Worse, even after they learn he's Vietnamese, Frost *still* calls him "the Chinaman."

Sounds like "Midsomer Murders" wasn't the only British detective show that needed to get past some racism. This 2006 TV movie was called "Endangered Species," and I hope that in the 9 years since, this outdated treatment of Asians has gotten more "endangered" too.

Frost returns

[jgl2003 · 9/10 · 29 December 2008]

This episode from 2006 was released on DVD in the US as Season 13! I was very happy to see IMDb reporting a "season 13".

IMDb says their Season 13 episodes were shown on air in October, 2008. Looking forward to more Frost!.

This series is one of the best of the British detective series in my humble opinion. Check it out if you like cantankerous old detectives with hearts of gold. I hope it goes on and on.

My other favorites are Wire in the Blood, Prime Suspect, Hamish MacBeth, The Last Detective, Touching Evil and Da Vinci's Inquest. That last is technically Canadian but I don't hold that against it - lol.

Sorry I'm not really reviewing this episode, I just wanted to point out the confusing season naming on the US DVD's.

Frost grows querulous and tiresome

[levesonr · 6/10 · 4 July 2009]

I have always loved this series for its beautiful characterizations (and characters) but, as it ages along with Sir David Jason, I find the dialogues are less believable and Frost himself is becoming rather tiresome and querulous in his old age; the character is less endearing. To be blunt, he is being played as a bit of a clown and there is a heavy-handedness in presenting him that makes me cringe. For example the interplay between Frost and Mullett was once exquisitely amusing - you could see the point of view of each man as they clashed - but now Frost treats Mullett with such open contempt and rudeness that it no longer works for me. The series seems to have bowed to the current style of packing in more action at the expense of ambiance and character development and I find myself turning to the newer Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck) series now on American TV (of all places) to conjure back a similar style to the old Frost episodes.

Better than remembered but one of my least favourite 'Frost' episodes

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 6 July 2017]

As has been said by me numerous times already, 'A Touch of Frost' is a personal favourite of mine, and one of my favourite shows from the detective/mystery genre. Do have a preference perhaps for the earlier-mid-show episodes over the later ones, but none of the episodes are less than watchable and none do anything to embarrass the show.

So much appeals about 'A Touch of Frost'. Love the mix of comedy (mostly through Frost's snide comments and quips) and dark grit, the tension between rebellious Jack Frost and by-the-book Mullet which has led to some humorous moments, how he interacts with the rest of the staff, the deft mix of one or two cases and Frost's personal life, how Frost solves the cases, the production values, music and of course David Jason in one of his best roles.

There may have been people initially sceptical about whether the show would work, and with Jason (a mainly comedic actor) in a departure from usual in the lead role. Scepticism very quickly evaporated, the first six seasons were top notch with a few not-quite-outstanding-but-still-very-good episodes but most of them being near-perfect to masterpiece. Was not sure initially as to whether the Seasons 7-9 two parters would work, having seen two parters not quite work with 'Lewis' for example, but all three worked brilliantly.

Most of Season 10 was of a very high standard, "Held in Trust" was my personal favourite of the episodes but Jim Sturgess' performance in "Close Encounters" is one of the show's best supporting turns. Was a little let down however by "Hidden Truth", which was still decent and much better than a lot of weaker episodes from other shows but considering the high quality of Seasons 1-9 decent didn't seem quite enough. "Another Life" and "Dancing in the Dark" were very good episodes for Season 11, though neither high points, while Season 12's "Near Death Experience" was outstanding and a standout of the latter season episodes.

On first viewing, "Endangered Species" always struck me as an okay episode with impressive elements but with some things that, compared to the usual high standard of the show, that made it a disappointment. On re-watch, it fared better (the story was easier to follow this time and no longer feel that the murderer is revealed too early due to some nice unexpected twists in the second half) but is nowhere near 'A Touch of Frost' at its best. This said, even the weakest 'Frost' episodes are better than most shows' weakest.

"Endangered Species" could have been better. Frost's romantic subplot, as much as any character development for one of the most interesting post-Morse detectives is to be applauded, added little and struck somewhat of a false chord, and seeing Frost being so uncharacteristically acrimonious for no reason towards Mullet and how he stereotpes people here was a bit of a turn off.

Pacing could have been tightened in places and more suspense wouldn't have gone amiss. Can't be the only person to notice the size inconsistency of the crocodile when discovered and then when it was caught, being bigger when introduced, though this is more of a nit-pick.

As ever, on the other hand, the production values as always are incredibly well done. It matches the dark, gritty tone of the episode beautifully with atmospheric lighting and the stylish way it's shot. The music is haunting without being over-bearing, the theme tune still iconic.

Writing on the most part is taut and thought-provoking, if more serious in tone to usual and with not as much humour, what there is is of that still amusing. The story is mostly absorbing with some clever twists and turns and making the most of a unique idea for 'A Touch of Frost'. The ending made more sense to me on re-watch and even found myself marvelling even more the scene stealing animals and the location of the ending. The second case wasn't quite as interesting, due to less focus on it, but it's still interesting.

Frost is a remarkably well-established character, though this episode is proof that he is far from a saint (never in all honesty was he ever intended to be) and one cannot help love his amusing interaction with the rest of the officers and particularly his chemistry with DS Presley.

Can't fault Jason as Frost, he is simply brilliant in the role as always with not one foot put wrong. All the supporting cast are on point, with a strong turn from Blake Ritson.

On the whole, not one of my favourites and somewhat of a disappointment but still not bad at all. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Not one of the better Frosts

[gary-64659 · 7/10 · 5 July 2022]

This episode was undermined by awkward comedy relief by the writers, and David Jason looked uncharacteristically awkward delivering some lines. Generally, I rate Jason's drama better than his comedy. I also found his offsider "Presley" less than engaging compared with his other younger proteges. And this is a generation gap too far this time for Frost's love interest. Don't know how old Julie is supposed to be -- but she looks younger than the 30 years old of the actress. David Jason was 65 and looking older. Don't know how this can possibly be justified as being realistic. The two of them walking together look like a fit young thing leading her grandad along.

Perhaps the Weakest Episode of the Series

[bill-2315 · 5/10 · 27 February 2018]

I'm a long-time fan of the Frost series, but this episode just didn't agree with me.

My main complaint (as actor David Jason himself agreed with at the close of the series) is that Frost is simply getting to old to be going after younger women, in this case a lithe aerobics instructor. Frost is now easily into his 60s, while the instructor looks be be no older than late 30s. In earlier episodes, Frost has occasionally had more than a protective, parental eye for the ladies (including ex-madams with hearts of gold), but this is definitely pushing things.

Another criticism: rare species trafficking is and was a serious problem, but it should have been addressed as a background crime issue, not the continuous public service announcement as it appears in this episode. In previous installments, the series adeptly handled more serious (even heartbreaking) issues like child sexual abuse and endangerment without becoming maudlin or preachy in their treatment.

Lastly, having conclusively identified the real mastermind behind the trafficking and murders, Frost normally would have read him his rights, cuffed him and had him hauled off straightaway. Instead, he chats at length with the criminal and allows himself to be led into a situation involving a dangerous wild animal. In the ensuing showdown, it is all too obvious that Jason's stuntman is doing the wild-animal taming act.

very, very, very disappointing

[mkuyt · 3/10 · 15 February 2010]

It's like a beautiful car without petrol, or a thoroughbred with a limp. A fashion model without elegance. I'm trying to figure out what this episode lacks, but I'm not quite sure. The actors are all there and are fine. But they need direction and editing and most of all a good screenplay. Did veteran Bafta-winning director Roy Battersby have an off-day? Yes, this episode's directed poorly, with scenes going nowhere and leads and details in the investigation that aren't followed up on. ITV-household-name editor David Aspinall had an off-day editing the final scenes and killing all suspense in the process. But the reason for this episode being a complete failure? No doubt; the screenplay by the completely unknown Tony Charles. Who is this man? A search engine will not find a thing. I bet he doesn't exist, that he's Britain's current Alan Smithee. My best guess is that this episode's screenplay was not written by a single person but copied-and-pasted out of a bin-liner with left-over scenes and ideas. "Grey mullet. Avoid at all cost"

Definitely not We Bought a Zoo. More like Carry on Frost

[safenoe · 4/10 · 7 August 2017]

Kampol Nirawan stars as murder victim Lahn Loc, and I know Frost apologists will excuse (or even deify) Frost for his racist outbursts in this episode based on his ingrained "political incorrectness". I'm sorry, but political correctness is called manners thank you very much. I wonder if there's an episode where Frost deploys his political incorrectness against the LGBTI community, or against the Jewish community, or Germans and Nazis.

Really, Frost constantly calling Lahn Loc the "Chinaman" - really would Frost called a German a "Germanyman" or a French a "Franceman"??? Besides, Lahn Loc is Vietnamese, not Chinese, but I guess Frost thinks all Asians are the same, just like all Europeans look the same I guess. Talking about political incorrectness, it's definitely incorrect that Frost and gym trainer Julie would hook up LOL!!! Really, was Frost channeling Michael Douglas from Basic Instinct, fantasizing that Julie was Catherine Trammell!!!

Frost

[Janet1612 · 1/10 · 4 September 2022]

An OK episode - not sure who thought of having a love interest as someone who could be his granddaughter - very hard to believe and unnecessary.

The scene when she says I need an early night, and he replies (desperately) 'so do I Julie, so do I' nearly had me throwing up. A handsome, younger, trim Frost with a wonderful personality maybe but Jason?

The story is watchable - Blake Ritson is very handsome and plays a good part.

The warring couple are quite funny

Sad plot about the endangered species - this goes on allo over the world.

At least in the episode Frost is kept too busy to be stuffing his face as usual, and talking with this mouth full or stuffing chewing gum down his throat.

Also the MUSIC IS TOO LOUD at times and drowns out the dialogue - this happens in may Frost episode.