The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Series 4, Episode 3 – “Some Lie and Some Die: Part 3” (1990)

 

Wrap-up of the mystery.  Not bad overall – in a way, I was reminded a bit of State of Play, in that the murder is a larger question beyond “whodunit.”    Not that I enjoyed it as much as State of Play, which is just sublime, but still, it’s a perfectly respectable little yarn.

 

PC achieves an interesting character in Zeno.  He’s still very much the immature, playful trickster that Dawn knew, but one with the influence and leeway of a big-time celebrity.  That’s a lot of power in fairly irresponsible hands, and it can lead to trouble.

 

My major point of contention:  although the track is repeated in all three episodes, we only get one song from Zeno, and the proper singing doesn’t really get started until the chorus.  The opening verse is more Bowie-ish dramatic sing-talking, gradually working itself up to singing.    Nothing against it, but I’d rather get the whole shebang.

 

Accent Watch

 

I’m pleased to confirm my previous findings.  This episode features another brief slip into a West Country accent in an unguarded moment.  I’m calling it – Zeno puts on the London accent for showbiz, hiding the West Country bloke underneath.  A nice character element well-executed.  Thumbs up for PC!

 

Recommend?

 

In General – Possibly; decent example of its type.

 

PC-wise – Maybe.  Don’t put it at the top of your list, but it’s not a bad little role.

 

Warnings

 

Nothing further to report.

The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Series 4, Episode 2 – “Some Lie and Some Die: Part 2” (1990)

 

As Inspector Wexford delves further into Dawn’s life and death, he pulls at divergent threads that may or may not prove to be tied to her murder.  Of course, this includes a sit-down with Zeno, sussing out the exact nature of his relationship with Dawn.

 

This means a proper look at Zeno away from the stage.  Questioned in his extravagant hotel room, his cold, blasé attitude proves to be a put-on.  Instead, he’s an eternally-bemused prankster with a knowing grin; he smirks at the idea of suspicions being cast on him and has no qualms about giving the inspector less than his full attention.

 

While generally, he doesn’t seem to take life very seriously, he does have a rather high opinion of himself, and he’s clearly used to getting his way:  taking things when he wants them.  PC plays him with just enough bite that he could potentially be the murderer.

 

I forgot to mention yesterday, Gemma Jones is also featured in this story as a jittery witness who seems to know more than she’s telling – much like Vera in Prime Suspect, but with more mental instability and fewer scornful remarks about her gender.  Anyway, Gemma Jones enjoyed a brief turn as Madame Pomfrey in the Harry Potter series, but I’m fondest of her excellent Mrs. Dashwood in the Emma Thompson version of Sense and Sensibility.

 

Accent Watch

 

London – not bad, although PC’s London accents tend to wander towards Australian on occasion.  But this is interesting:  when he’s being questioned, there’s a moment where he’s talking about Dawn, and his accent takes a hard left turn to West Country.  No idea at first where it came from.  Then I remembered that Zeno is Dawn’s childhood sweetheart, and Dawn’s family has more West Country accents.  Could it be that Zeno has consciously adopted a London accent for wider appeal, eschewing his roots?  And memories of someone from his youth brings his old voice to the surface?

 

Please don’t discount the possibility that I’m reading far too much into this.  But if it’s true, then good on PC – I’ve not always been too impressed with his accent work, but this would be a great character note.

 

Warnings

 

Some dark thematic elements.

The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Series 4, Episode 1 – “Some Lie and Some Die: Part 1” (1990)

 

I wasn’t familiar with Ruth Rendell – when I saw this show in PC’s filmography, I assumed she was the fictional detective at its center.  So imagine my surprise when no women featured prominently in the opening credits!  As it happens, Ruth Rendell is less Poirot/Marple, and more Agatha Christie:  she’s the creator of the stories we’re seeing.

 

“Some Lie and Some Die” is a three-episode story led by Inspector Wexford, a common protagonist in Rendell’s work.  Part 1 begins, as murder mysteries often do, with the discovery of a body.  In this case, it’s a young woman found near the grounds of an outdoor rock festival.  As Wexford starts delving into the case, he realizes that the woman was connected to one of the festival’s headliners.

 

PC plays Zeno Vedast, said headliner.  Zeno is a big ole rock star with legions of fans, piles of money, and what seems to be a supercilious attitude.  He and Dawn, the murdered woman, knew one another before he was famous, and there are hints that their relationship had been rekindled before her death.

 

We haven’t seen much of Zeno so far.  Episode 1 is mainly about the early investigation, setting up the tie between Zeno and Dawn.    I assume he’ll be more involved in the story from here on out, but he’s only in a couple of scenes today, and one of them is a concert scene.

 

Yes – put down The Ruth Rendell Mysteries as another singing PC project.    So far, I think I enjoy his pipes better in Accused and Fortysomething (his “Desperado” in Accused is really lovely,) but he delivers some fine, Bowie-esque vocals here.    Considering the punk career that preceded PC’s acting career, he probably loved getting the chance to play a bona fide rock star.

 

Accent Watch

 

I’m gonna hold off on this.  He hasn’t had any actual dialogue yet – just singing, and it can be hard to judge someone’s accent in a song.  It still bowls me over that Adele is a Londoner.

 

Recommend?

 

In General – Maybe, if you like Masterpiece-style mysteries.  The story is pulling me in.

 

PC-wise – I love watching film/TV actors sing, so I’d recommend it.  Still, it’s a little early to say.  I’ll report further when his character has more to do.

 

Warnings

 

Sexual content and a brief discovering-the-body scene.