Cross

This, the first episode of the third season is shocking for all the wrong reasons. Instead of the engaging and largely believable characters of earlier episodes, and atmospheric filming that captured the look and feel of the Galway setting, this seems to have been put together carelessly, wooden dialogue and acting, crude soap-opera level cinematography, key supporting characters gone missing or re-cast. The only good thing left is the central performance from Iain Glenn which remains watchable.

We have a new face working with Jack as he investigates a family that lost their mother/wife to a drunk driver. We open with an actual crucifixion of one of the children. The children of the car accident have sworn vengeance on this family and especially the girl has gone totally nutty. She eats an apple dessert next to her father's body after he has died of a heart attack. She is incredibly formidable, feeling that God has given her permission to do whatever she wants. There are other victims and a secret that hangs in the air.

Iain Glen returns as the Galway private detective. Things are a little better for Jack, he was bequeathed some property in a will.

Cody has recovered from his shooting ordeal but it seems he is moving to America. However while doing a favour for Garda Kate, it is not too long before Jack gets embroiled in a murder investigation as a dead body is found crucified.

This new series of films has seen a change of actress who plays Kate Noonan, now played by actress Siobhan O'Kelly. The character has also been given a health scare.

Although Cody has been written out, Jack is joined by another eager young sidekick called Darragh an ex-con turned to Buddhism who grew up in Manchester (also related to Kate.) It looks like Darragh might have got too close to the killer, who might look sweet, innocent but is also troubled having visions of a dead relative who died and would do anything to get revenge.

We see a more relaxed Jack Taylor here less of the boorish, drunken lout we have seen in the past. The story although grisly was a bit humdrum but my word the baddie was demented.

Iain Glen as Jack Taylor is utterly watchable. And it is hard to resist a PI who team of "secret informants" are a selection of the town drunks.

To my North American ears the accents are a bit difficult at times, but that is a mere quibble. I also think these very dark stories should have been filmed in high contrast black and white, but I think all noir stories should be shot that way.

The plots can be a bit far fetched, but Taylor is a compelling character marvelously played.

The major weakness is the dialog. There are no pithy one liners that make Chandler and Hammet so endearing, such as Chandler's line that "It was the type of wind that set housewives to testing the edge of the carving knife as they eyed their husbands' throats....."

I really loved this series ... until this episode. I won't be watching the rest, thank you.

Terrible writing, too many changes in cast and characters, poor pacing, and wooden delivery by most. Even Jack has become stilted and clearly uncomfortable.

It's a sad end (for me) to a beloved two seasons of stunning stories and people.