Waking The Dead - Series 4 [2001]

Contemporary television drama at its best, although I have not seen all the seasons I feel certain this must be the best, if they come any better than this, WOW.

There is a wonderful atmosphere maintained throughout the season, every complex plot is a well acted and a stunning success, even if there are occasional unlikely coincidences, etc

Detective Superintendent Peter Boyd (Trevor Eve) and psychologist and profiler Grace Foley (Sue Johnson) both well into middle age lead the very much younger team of DI Jordan (Wil Johnson), DS Mel Silver (Claire Goose) and pathologist /forensic scientist Frankie Wharton (Holly Aird).
What makes it stand out against other series (i.e. the American "Cold Case") is this age differential between the two leaders and their team, superimposing a family ambience to their interactions. Saying that we never learn anything about their private lives except for snippets in flash backs relating to the crimes.

The series is all the stronger for the fact it is not intended as a slice of real police life, the resources allocated to this small department is unreal, and the treatment of witnesses is hardly politically acceptable.

A thoroughly gripping and intriguing MUST SEE.

"Waking the Dead" is one of the most gripping mysteires series ever turned. Each of the crimes and the amazing ways how they are is solved is extraodinary. The cast - most of all Trevor Eve and particuarly Sue Johnston - is equally amazing. Those who enjoy crime stories will have a wonderful time. I enjoyed every story of the 5 series I bought. Do not miss this!!

Once again, the cold case team around Peter Boyd (Trevor Eve) and Grace Foley (Sue Johnson) crack cases that have been forgotten or could not be solved earlier due to lack of modern forensics. We have come to expect extremely chilling story lines, ingenuity by forensic pathologist Frankie Wharton (Holly Aird), stress and tensions within the team which do not always see eye to eye (Mel Silver - Claire Goose questions Boyd's motives, just when the team is threatened with being taken over), and these keep this police drama taught and full of suspense. Be prepared for a shock ending.

Series 5 and 6 have since been filmed and aired so could the BBC please release these series a bit faster than the first 4. They make for compelling, repetitive watching, and are the best series the BBC has done in years. Longmay it continue. Congratulations!