Monday , March 18 2024
"Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Series 3" keeps us glued to the television set with its scripts and the actors ability to bring their characters to life.

Blu-ray Review: ‘Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: Series Three’

Just in time for Halloween everybody’s favourite Australian costume piece has a new series out on Blu-ray: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: Series 3. Released by Acorn Media on October 27 2015 we’re transported back to Australia of the roaring twenties and the escapades of female detective Miss Phryne Fisher, Essie Davis.
Cover Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Series 3
Although the third season is shorter than the previous two (only eight episodes), there’s just as much action and entertainment crammed within the two discs of this set as there has been in the previous releases. First of all the entire the ensemble of Miss Fisher’s friends and family are back again making their own unique contributions to the stories. With each of them being as familiar as people we know personally it’s a delight to welcome them all back into our living rooms and watch their relationships continue to devleop.

While Davis’ character dominates the screen, it’s hard to imagine Miss Fisher without her erstwhile companion Dorothy “Dot” Williams (Ashleigh Cummings) or working hand in glove with Detective Inspector Jack Robinson Nathan Page while solving her murder mysteries. Of course where the Inspector and Dot go, the former’s chief assistant, and the latter’s fiancee, Constable Hugh Collins (Hugo Johnstone-Burt) is never far behind.

Rounding out the ensemble are the rest of Miss Fisher’s employees; Bert (Travis McMahon) Ces (Anthony Sharpe) and her butler Mr. Butler(Richard Bligh); her best friend, now pathologist, Dr. Mac (Tammy Macintosh) and last, but by no means least, her formidable Aunt Prudence (Miriam Margolyes).

While the murder investigations they undertake are the major focus of the each episode, as well as the newly introduced mystery surrounding Miss Fisher’s ne’er do well father, Baron Henry Fisher (Pip Miller), personal issues between characters are even more prominent than ever. Will Dot and Constable Collins be able to resolve the thorny issues of the Protestant/Catholic divide and her wanting more from life than simply being a housewife to ever make it down the aisle? Will Inspector Robinson and Miss Fisher’s relationship finally move past the platonic stage into the romance that’s been simmering beneath the surface since Season 1?

Nathan Page & Essie Davis
Nathan Page & Essie Davis

What has always made this series special is its ability to switch between the frivolous and serious without missing a beat. Not only do we enjoy the fun and frolic of the roaring twenties as seen through the eyes of Miss Fisher, we also experience moments of real emotion. The most poignant moment in this series features a star turn from Margolyes in the fifth episode,”Death and Hysteria”. After opening her house up a visiting psychiatrist and his “hysterical” women patients Aunt Prudence not only has to deal with a mysterious death, but her own repressed grief over the death of a beloved son.

Margolyes does a magnificent job of depicting this very proper woman dealing with trying to stomp down on her sorrow by ignoring it. Of course this only makes things worse for her. Of all people, it’s Miss Fisher’s rough and tough employee Bert who brings her around. There’s something incredibly touching about watching how the aristocratic Prudence responds to the blunt words of communist Bert. While sympathy hasn’t reached her, she takes his bluntness to heart and finally allows herself to grieve.

While the scripts are cleaver and witty, the acting exemplary and the attention to detail in recreating the time period extraordinary, its moments like the one described above which elevate this series to a higher plane. The characters are more than just types; they are multidimensional and complicated. Like Miss Fisher herself, whose extravagant lifestyle hides a complicated and sad past, there’s more to each character than meets the eye.

The Blu-ray package features a bevy of behind the scenes interviews and other special features (Be sure not to miss Mr. Butler’s “Drink of the Week” or the promotional spots featuring characters from the show) and a gallery of still photos from the show. If you have a Blu-ray player, pay the few extra dollars for this set, because the improved quality of the visuals alone will make it worth your while. This is one show where you’ll want to be able to see the fine details in the set dressing and the costumes as they are stunning.

However, when it comes down to it, the show is so good they could be performing on a bare stage with the cast in their street clothes and it would still be great. It’s not the pretty clothes or period settings which keep us glued to the television set. It’s the scripts and the ability of the actors to bring their characters to life that makes this some of the best television you’ll ever see.

While there may not be a fourth series of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (and after how they end Series 3 maybe there shouldn’t be) that should not diminish anyone’s pleasure with these episodes. A lady always knows how to make an exit. While Miss Fisher may not be the last word in decorum, she’s still enough of a lady to know when to take her final bow.

[amazon template=iframe image&asin=B011T0C6VK]

About Richard Marcus

Richard Marcus is the author of three books commissioned by Ulysses Press, "What Will Happen In Eragon IV?" (2009) and "The Unofficial Heroes Of Olympus Companion" and "Introduction to Greek Mythology For Kids". Aside from Blogcritics he contributes to Qantara.de and his work has appeared in the German edition of Rolling Stone Magazine and has been translated into numerous languages in multiple publications.

Check Also

Mystery Game Review: ‘The Night Hunter’ from University Games

Players must unravel the mystery before a serial killer claims another victim.