Overview: Detective Constable "Dangerous" Davies always gets the cases no one else wants - and no one notices when he eventually succeeds. But his old-fashioned decency and dogged determination have won him legions of loyal fans. Collected here are all 17 episodes from the hit British mystery series starring Peter Davison (Doctor Who, All Creatures Great and Small), who plays the beleaguered Davies.

DVD Verdict: This dangerously wonderful UK series follows the misadventures of Detective “Dangerous” Davies. “Dangerous” is his nickname, because dangerous is absolutely what he is perceived by his fellow workers as not being!! See, sarcastic Brit humor already at its finest!

Indeed, the point of Dangerous, though, is that he's a sad character in a dead-end job in a dead end, surrounded by suburban mediocrity. Is it his fault? Well, yes, I guess so. But is he to blame at all times for such a description? No, I don't think so. I mean, he’s gentle, old-fashioned, and decent; nice even when he’s drunk!

Anyway, 'The Last Detective' is a fabulous show that is steeped in charm and class. Peter Davison unobtrusively holds the show together as the decent but overlooked Davies who, through unflashy police work and dogged determination reveals important truths in the overlooked and seemingly unimportant.

Davison is assisted in his task by a superlative supporting cast, most notably Sean Hughes as his drinking buddy Mod and Rob Spendlove as his dyspepsic boss.

The production quality of this programme is high and the script and performances sincere and humourous. The dark side of crime is not avoided in this programme and it can enter some dark territory but, like Dangerous himself, you never loose faith in human nature. The enormous affection and popularity of this show in the UK may have much to do with the affection held for the underdog and while this programme plays to this affection you never loose respect for Dangerous.

Davison magnificently pulls off the task of portraying a characher who is professionally overlooked, unlucky in love but stubbonly loyal - to the truth, and to people and cases, who, like him, are sidlined in life.

But things on the home front are not good. His ex-wife observes that she loves a man in uniform but that their marriage was over when he made CID. His boss states that if he had his way Davies would be back in uniform and visiting schools to offer safety tips. Davies refuses to ask for a transfer out of the CID office for the sake of either reasoning!

In closing, know that the series was shot in high defintion widescreen. The DVD presents it in its original aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (Anamorphic). Picture quality is good with rich vibrant colours and deep inky blacks. Sound is in the original 2.0 Dolby Surround. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

BONUS PROGRAM: Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective, the 1981 movie starring Bernard Cribbins that tells the same story as series pilot
Interview with Peter Davison
Leslie Thomas Bio and Booklist
Photo Galleries
Cast Filmographies