Customer Reviews

Cracker - Series 2

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

File "Cracker" series two under that rare category of "Great Television Seasons of All-Time."

The second season of Cracker picks up a short while after the events of series one. On the personal front, Fitz and his wife are still coping with their marriage issues while at the same time he deals with a rather put-out Jane Penhaligon and the affair that wasn't. On the professional front, the gambling debts weigh a little heavier as Fitz finds his police work curbed courtesy of a standing grudge between himself and DCI Bilborough over their last case together.

Into these lives come three extraordinary stories and a cast of characters that will irreversibly change the course of events in Fitz's world. The first story, "To Be A Somebody", is considered the strongest of all three seasons. It features a tour de force performance by Robert Carlyle of "Trainspotting" fame in a teleplay that discourses vitriolically on themes of immigration, family, and class warfare. The second story, "The Big Crunch", features Jim Carter (Brassed Off) and Samantha Morton (Minority Report) in a melancholy tale of greys in the decidedly black and white world of organized religion. The final story of the season, "Men Should Weep" offers no denouement and no respite, a powerful and personal story that will leave you waiting breathlessly for the release of series three.

Through all the tales of crime and punishment, the story of Fitz and his life is interweaved. The beauty of the show, indeed its greatest strength, is in how seemlessly that story is told and how it manages to compliment the overarching plot of each episode. "Cracker" is as good as television gets, and season two is the very best of a great series.

This is one of the best series television has ever produced. Dr. "Fitz" Fitzgerald (Robbie Coltrane) is as reprehensible and great psychologist as ever in this terrific 2nd series. All 3 stories are well played and well written. Some terrific performances by future star character actors, Robert Carlyle and Samantha Morton. I think the standout is the first story of three episodes, "To be a Somebody". Robert Carlyle is outstanding in this, arguably, the best episode of the series.

As far as the DVD set is concerned, it's nicely boxed, but if looking for extras, you won't find any. Nonetheless, anyone with an interest in British TV, you can't go wrong with this fantastic series.

This series, featuring a dyspeptic, choleric psychiatrist played by Robbie Coltrane, is absolutely fabulous. Highly recommended!

Well played as a drama. High impact. Crude and raw english story. Robbie Coltrain play's it well. Worth watching the fast moving mental action.

Robbie Coltrane again at his best.I would recommend this DVD to anyone who likes good mysteries.

This review is about the episode 'To Be Somebody', which is available separately in the UK. I first watched this when it aired in 1994. It was the first episode of Cracker I watched and I thought it was fantastic. I was only 20. Add the best part of 15 years and I've finally watched it again... So now what do I make of it?

I'm surprised I didn't come back to this sooner. Coltrane is perfect as Fitz. Many have tried to play the angry, hard-drinking detective but nobody comes within a country mile of this acid-tongued colossus. He is hilarious at times, genius, tragic and brutal at others. A chain-smoking, workaholic, alocoholic, womanizer who also likes an 'occasional' flutter. Add to that, the utterly convincing performance of Robert Carlyle as psychotic skin headed killer, Albie Kinsella; the beautiful and poignant writing of Jimmy McGovern; and a rock-solid supporting cast (including a great Christopher Eccleston, Ricky Tomlinson and sultry Geraldine Somerville as `Panhandle') and it is pretty incomparable.

If you like crime dramas and haven't seen Cracker, get this episode, you'll probably buy the boxset. If, like me, you thought it was good at the time but have forgotten just how good, do yourself a favour and give it another go, you won't be disappointed.

I have looked at the series everywhere and by far Amazon has the best price, if you like this british tv series buy it here.

Cracker is an amazing series. Although sometimes a little slow to get you into the story, there is always a point to it. The stories can also be a little depressing too. If you are looking for something lighthearted, turn away. If you want a good gritty series to get into, buy this!

Brilliant and gripping drama. Robbie Coltrane is perfectly cast as the brilliant criminal psychologist with a ironically disastrous personal life. My partner usually can't concentrate for five minutes, but she's glued to the screen whenever Cracker is on.

From BBC,another terrific series. As good as Prime Suspect, it's about the on-going core characters - all with their own psychological quirks, strengths and weaknesses as well as the crimes they need to solve.
Great acting, writing. Suspenseful.
Now waiting for series 3, 1 & 2 are definately keepers!