Death Valley Review – Timothy Spalls High quality new detective drama is a cozy, funny joy TV

BY a strange mathematics, one of the greatest joys in life is something that is just a little better than it has to be. It is such a rarity, such a pleasure – and for pessimists, such a shock to the system – that it becomes disproportionate, although still really, delightful.

Such a phenomenon is Death Valley, a new comedy drama on Sunday evening, in which an amateur -Sleuth helps the police to solve crimes in a Bukolian village -this time Welsisch -with an astronomically high murder rate and a suspect among every Gooseberry bush and felt. So far, so gently cum midsomer cum marble cum agatha raisin cum pull-a-axir-and-a-ekkake-and-enoy.

And it hits this cozy place. Timothy Spall, from whom I suspect she was looking for a way to recharge his acting batteries after playing the sixth commandment as an amateur -sluth, John Chapel in 2023 in 2023. Chapel is a retired actor (if there is ever something like that, darling!), Who has made his name in a long -term police procedure as a detective Caesar of the same name. The first episode opened how the first episodes of the new cozy crime series should be so clear with a case that it couldn't possibly Be everything else: Dead Property Developer sagged over his desk, a weapon in his hand, and obviously killed himself.

But is it obvious? Why should a man who plans something like that should book a lunch in his diary for the next day and a vacation for Dubai? DS Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth), who is “scintillating” the fine line between cheeky and annoying with Nary A Wobble (chapel “, which is both a perfect description and a brand of writing quality), so she should at least ask the neighbors a little suspicious than he has died. As a submissive of Caesar, she is impressed when the first door to which she strikes is answered by no other as a chapel. And chapel knows that it was murder. How? “Because actors watch.” The victim was a decent man – a shot was too messy. And because “Action is character” – and the victim was a considerate man who designed tailor -made birthday cards for the son of his cleaner and never left her to find his body when she was due the next day.

Janie visits the highly waiting woman of the deceased-“I shouldn't cry. I only did my lid”-to find out if he had any enemies. “Is there beef with someone? Doesn't have to be big beef. Little beef. Hack meat?” The answer is not even worth a meatball.

And we are gone. A few red gentlemen fragrant in the air, but Chapel and Janie remain undeterred for a long time. (“I'm inspiration,” says Chapel to Janie when he brings his acting forces to endure the evidence. “You are the sweat.”)

Why shouldn't a man who fired an electrician for Wonky Socket in a show home also should fire a decorator because he was missing a stain of wall? Why should a woman want to buy a new building with love for traditional tea towels? A broken bacon delivery here, an empty foxglove bed there, a random remark of a child with uncertain descent and soon the threads will be pulled together to find the means, the motive, the opportunity – and the murderer (up to the end of the hour). Your next adventure includes a member of Janies Mamas Walking group, who dies in an obvious fall (advise you, what!) And can be observed for many reasons, not least the description of the dead woman von Mama: “Too thin from half. And stubborn eyes.”

In any case, there are the longer arches, which contain chapel mourning for his late wife and Janies fights for the loss of their best friend, who jo earliest with somewhat more piquant seasons.

So it is Midsomer murders – with jokes. It is rosemary and thyme – but good. Or a pastoral old dogs new tricks when they prefer it. Make your choice. It is also funny and funny and jumps together with enough VERVE to bring them past Footling, which they either have to form, or satisfied before they move from brain to mouth. Not everything has to be the wire. Sometimes you can just relax and enjoy something else that was done very well.