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Death Valley

(64 Posts)
Clawdy Mon 26-May-25 12:02:13

Anyone watch it last night? Timothy Spall's new comedy detective series. I was looking forward to this, but found it very disappointing. Rather silly, trying too hard to be funny, annoying characters. Not sure I'll watch the next episode.

Calendargirl Mon 02-Jun-25 06:34:59

I thought last night’s episode was better than the first, more believable (slightly).

The female detective’s mother took over being the more annoying character.

It’s still pretty rubbishy though, makes the Welsh police force look like idiots.

Deedaa Sun 01-Jun-25 23:51:57

I tried watching tonight's episode but there's definitely something missing. It just doesn't gel. My son watched a bit with me and said "It looks as if it ought to be good, but,,,,,,,,,"

FranP Wed 28-May-25 19:00:01

Copy of McDonald & Dodds?
Not sure it would work without Timothy Spall's excellent sarcasm, but am going to watch again to see if it develops.

Easy watching for late night

Boz Wed 28-May-25 17:07:36

It could be worse; there is less than an hour of it and it doesn't send you to bed with nightmares like the gruesome, bloody who-dun-its that have been so fashionable. They are trying too hard to be funny, with ridiculous characterisations all round Just about watchable but I will be glad to see the end. Too old for this kind of Speed.

knspol Wed 28-May-25 16:02:33

Was looking forward to this but what a disappointment! I thought with Timothy Spall in it would be good but I couldn't stand more than about 15 mins and turned it off, won't be watching any more. It was a joke, too silly to bear, dreadful acting and I found it difficult to understand what the Welsh police woman was saying at times. A waste of time.

CJAM Wed 28-May-25 15:41:43

It’s brilliant it’s a P take of comedy. Timothy Spall is excellent so are the others.the ‘Gavin&Stacy’ couple added to the humour in next episode. Keep watching. It’s a must it’s nota P take of beautiful Wales not the lovely Welsh people it’s about IMHO about how people think of themselves and others but are afraid to admit. Usually it’s said/hidden in mirth gossip.
I could have binge watched it all but want to enjoy in bytes. It does have a whole done it the same running through and that’s showing how logic reasoning and intuition solves the cases. Possibly not everyone’s cup of tea but it’s mine with biscuits added. 👍

woodenspoon Wed 28-May-25 15:20:53

We weren’t impressed. Watched for 15 minutes to give it a chance but switched over. However I agree with others that scenery in Wales is stunning so if it encourages tourists to visit and spend that could be good for the area.

WelshPoppy Wed 28-May-25 15:14:30

Loved it. I giggled more watching this than I have watching any show for a while. It's not meant to be a serious crime show. A bit of light humour on a Sunday evening.

barbyvon67 Wed 28-May-25 14:10:36

I usually like anything Timothy Spall is on and had high hopes, but I couldn't bear that female detective who irritated so much that had to turn it off after 10 minutes. I find that these days any programme advertised as "comedy' has made me very cautious as too often I just don't find them funny.

JdotJ Wed 28-May-25 13:59:54

I thought the first episode started off dreadfully. Made worse by the policewoman (a DS for goodness sake, giving real DS's a very bad image).
Got 'slightly' better as it continued so I've watched the 2nd episode on IPlayer. It was 'ok'. Made better with the DS's mum played by Gavin & Stacey mum, Gwen. (Melanie ?)

It's no Ludwig that's for sure.

Lovely scenery though

Pippa000 Tue 27-May-25 11:40:36

It is stunningly beautiful, sea, forests and mountains, what else could you wish for, maybe a bit of sun todaygrin

teabagwoman Tue 27-May-25 08:48:09

Found it a bit silly in places but light and entertaining and just what I needed.

Maremia Tue 27-May-25 08:46:17

As that was filmed near you Pippa000, you live in a gorgeous part of the world. Have never been to Wales, yet, but would like to see some of those settings.

Rainbow1235 Tue 27-May-25 08:38:46

I’m Welsh and I enjoyed it . It’s lighthearted and sometimes that’s what u need

petra Tue 27-May-25 08:16:16

I can only think that someone of Timothy Spalls statue didn’t read the script before he said, yes, I’ll do it 🤦🏼‍♀️

Iam64 Tue 27-May-25 08:06:56

tanith

I turned it over 10 mins in, just a bit silly.

So did I. It’s had mixed reviews with the positives linked to Timothy Spall not the drama

Marmin Tue 27-May-25 07:58:56

I thought the two main characters were written as being irritating and unlikeable to begin with but as their relationship developed so did their characters. We enjoyed it but were also irritated in the first ten minutes.

Pippa000 Tue 27-May-25 07:17:12

It was filmed all around where I live, and we were waiting with anticipation to see the results of the the road closures we put up with . What a disappointment. Appalling script, dippy police, why Timothy Spall agreed to this is beyond me.

Astitchintime Tue 27-May-25 06:43:20

We watched………I dozed off, although I did have a busy day decluttering! Might try it again on catch up.

There is a new series of The Chelsea Detective on ‘U’ ……just in case anyone is interested.

RosieandherMaw Tue 27-May-25 06:03:41

I find it hard to believe it got such good reviews.
I too was irritated by poor writing, stereotyped characters, jerky photography and the Welsh stereotyped “chirpy Welsh girl” detective who I thought lacked the ability to detect her way out of a paper bag.
Made Midsomer Murders look like Shakespeare .
If I was Welsh I’d be up in arms at this depiction of dozy and naive coppers in a sleepy backwater.

Guesswhat Tue 27-May-25 04:39:43

So disappointing. That female detective was insufferable.

Maggiemaybe Mon 26-May-25 17:28:51

We thought it was dreadful, and the female detective beyond irritating. We gave it about 20 minutes.

argymargy Mon 26-May-25 16:29:52

I agree it was silly and irritating - the female detective particularly so. A shame, because the cast and scenery were wonderful but let down by the writing and directing.

merlotgran Mon 26-May-25 16:10:36

I thought it was terrible. What a waste of Timothy Spall. The Welsh police woman was annoying and none of it was funny.

I won’t be bothering to watch any more.

sandelf Mon 26-May-25 15:36:47

Loved it, but definitely comedy rather than detective - and completely dependent on Tim Spall.