WITH Netflix now available in the Philippines, there is an even wider range of shows to watch, many of them quite interesting as to subject matter, and well-researched and well-produced.
It’s difficult to choose what to watch from among so many, but I decided to go by genre. And as a devout fan of Sherlock Holmes, I started with mysteries first. I’m also an aficionado of British writers, especially those from the Victorian era up to the 1940s, so I was drawn to several shows in particular:
1. Midsomer Murders: This is a British detective show that was first aired in 1997 and is still running on its 19th season. It’s based on Caroline Graham’s Chief Inspector Barnaby books. The lead character, John Barnaby, is a tenacious detective, rather like a terrier, who won’t give up on something once he’s got his teeth into it. Based at the Causton CID (Criminal Investigation Department), he looks into crimes that take place in the fictional county of Midsomer.
He’s ably aided by a succession of sergeants, some funny and bumbling, others cool and eager, but all capable and of value to Barnaby, although sometimes as a foil to his penetrating insight—the usual hero-sidekick dynamic.
What I like about the series is the setting—the gorgeous British countryside, with their ancient thatched cottages complete with beams and crown glass windows, and acres of green fields. The accents are charming (somehow everything sounds better and more credible with a British accent), and there’s the added bonus of learning the meaning of British words, practices, and customs.
2. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: Based on Kelly Greenwood’s books, this detective show is set in Australia during the Gilded Age. Phryne Fisher has gone through hardships as a child, but later her family comes into a fortune and she spends her days in Melbourne as the first lady detective Down Under.
To help her solve crimes she enlists the help of coachmen Bert and Cec and her maid Dorothy “Dot” Williams, while working closely with Detective Inspector Jack Robinson (who has a soft spot for Phryne, though her antics drive him to exasperation) and Constable Hugh Collins (who later marries Dot).
There’s a wealth of accents here, from British and Australian to others more exotic. What makes this series interesting is that Phryne is a feminist who does not hesitate to assert her independence in all ways (including having one night stands with muscular fellows she encounters), and whose commitment is difficult to obtain, though she has given her heart to Jack.
Another gem in this treasure of a series is the costume design. I fell in love with Phryne’s dresses and hats. Although impractical for a detective—Phryne climbs walls in outrageous hats and outfits—they are all well-made and true to the period. The wardrobe from the series has been shown off in exhibitions in Australia.
3. Murdoch’s Mysteries: Based on novels by Maureen Jennings, this show is set in 1890s Canada and showcases the intellectual abilities of Detective William Murdoch of the Toronto Constabulary.
William is a highly intelligent man who uses his scientific knowledge to design gadgets and solve tricky puzzles to bring murderers to justice. Providing comic foil is his boss, Chief Inspector Thomas Brackenreid, and their constable, George Crabtree.
Along the way, sometimes with the help of others, Murdoch invents forerunners of night vision goggles, sonar, a polygraph machine, audio equipment that isolates background noise, CCTV (which in the show is called a ‘scrutiny camera’), the fax machine, and others. It’s fun watching the show for past versions of the future.
Murdoch is a conservative Catholic man, and pooh-poohs Crabtree’s speculation into stocks of Coca-Cola, Business Machines, and General Electric. The detective’s love interest is Dr. Julia Ogden, the first woman who graduated with a degree in medicine from a Toronto university, and who works as the forensic pathologist of the police station.
Julia and William make a great professional team, but along the way they make wrongheaded choices about their love and they end up…well, I’ll not spoil it for you, but do watch it.
4. Foyle’s War: another police detective story, this one is set in 1940s England. Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle wants to serve in the war, but his superiors believe he can contribute more to the war effort by suppressing crime in the fictional seaside town of Hastings. Foyle prefers not to drive, so Samantha “Sam” Stewart joins him as his charioteer. With Sergeant Paul Milner, they solve mysteries around the town as well as puzzles of national import, particularly when the war is over and Foyle and Sam go to work for MI5.
With the exception of Foyle’s War, these series are based on books and adapted for the small screen. They all have a British flavor; after all, Canada and Australia are British colonies.
If you’re looking to watch something out of the ordinary and immerse yourself in history along the way, look into these titles.
Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. Follow her on Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember