A key tenet of television is that distant small towns brim with eccentricity. This stereotype is embraced fervently in
Death Valley
, a lighthearted and snug crime show created by comedian Paul Doolan, based in the countryside of Wales and often teetering on the edge of becoming overly eccentric for its premise.
Like an
Oasis
Much like a Quentin Tarantino movie, this piece draws inspiration from various sources – sometimes risking the impression of being an irritating remake. The quirky young detective portrayed by Gwyneth Keyworth, named Janie Mallowan, bears similarities to David Mitchell’s intellectually inclined investigator.
Ludwig
And Frances McDormand’s down-to-earth investigator in the quirky noir masterpiece
Fargo
. Her partner-in-crime-solving is played by the great character actor
Timothy Spall
, apparently targeting a meticulous fussbudget incorporating aspects of
Sir David Suchet’s Poirot
and Jessica Fletcher in
Murder She Wrote
.
Chapel is portrayed by actor John Spall as John Chapel, once a big-name star who was
Inspector Morse
-a crime drama series known as
Caesar
Now residing in a cranky isolation in Wales, he is convinced to open his curtains again following the murder of a suave businessman from down the road. When Detective Sergeant Mallowan visits seeking potential witnesses, an adoring fan eager to involve him becomes his partner. This unexpected duo quickly joins forces to investigate with great enthusiasm.
The silliness on TV is akin to adding marshmallows to your hot cocoa; a small amount enhances the experience, but excess overwhelms your palate. “Death Valley” frequently teeters near this limit. One of the show’s main issues is how Mallowan is portrayed as though dropped directly into the series from ‘The Fast Show,’ contrasting sharply with the more serious approach taken by the rest of the cast. For example, when visiting the deceased man’s associate who enquires about her interest in football, she responds bluntly, “I… I despise it,” in such an exaggerated manner that it feels overly caricatured.
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Wouldn’t a genuine detective pretend to cooperate with the suspect to gain their favor? Regardless, the frequent shift between seriousness and comedy can be confusing. It’s suggested that Mallowan might still be dealing with some undisclosed past trauma — could this account for her overly theatrical impoliteness?
Spall performs somewhat better, yet this improvement can largely be attributed to him taking on the role of a once-famous actor whose prime time has passed. Even so, it strains credibility when an isolated recluse abruptly becomes skilled at solving crimes just as Mallowan arrives at his door. Additionally, it seems rather convenient that an actor known for playing detectives ends up being exceptionally good at real-life crime-solving. Should viewers simply accept this coincidence?
Daniel Craig
Can you actually go abseiling wearing a tuxedo or what?
Timothée Chalamet
rides giant worms?
Nevertheless, despite all those issues,
Death Valley
moves forward in a pleasing manner and settles into a rhythm every time it ceases its lighthearted antics. The enigma surrounding the murder of philandering property developer Carwyn Rees is intricately woven—his demise made to appear as though it were a suicide, coupled with numerous distractions adding layers of confusion. Among these diversions are an inquisitive neighbor looking after her colorblind grandchild (who plays a pivotal role later on), a regional environmental activist strongly against the deceased’s most recent major development venture, and the boss’ executive assistant, with whom he frequently spent his weekend hours.
The dynamic detective pair uncovers the culprit in an satisfying finale set at the deceased man’s latest residential project. However, what unfolds is not just one perpetrator but two—though their roles might be somewhat anticipated, their scheme to eliminate the real estate tycoon and abscond with his wealth demonstrates considerable forethought.
Death Valley
is constructed on strong fundamentals – if only Doolan’s script wasn’t so keen to throw in jokes at every turn.
‘Death Valley’ will continue next Sunday at 8:15 pm on BBC One.
