Customer Reviews

Murphy's Law: Series Three

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Expect blood, violence, and repulsive scenes. Yet they're compelling. Series 3 is MURPHY'S LAW in 6 episodes that could almost stand alone, yet definitely carry on a main plot with continuing cast. Murphy uses procedures as illegal as those used by criminals he is undercover to nick. He's not a cop you'd want on your local force. James Nesbitt ("Bloody Sunday","Cold Feet","Walking Ned Devine") IS DS Tommy Murphy (Irish cop with haunting past) who takes body abuse frequently, mind's a step ahead of low-life he investigates, and he's funny with a smart mouth, which gets busted regularly.

An early review warning: Not for kids; violence, brutal graphic scenes, upper-frontal views, language, every manner of crime. Yet there is comedy.
Best line: "What do you get if you cross an insomniac, an agnostic, & a dyslexic? Someone who's been up all night wondering if there really is a DOG."

This is gritty London crime underworld stuff; the disturbing life you'd expect to see the undercover cops enter to find the lowest of criminals. It is a thriller, fact action, BBC top cop drama. The Irish brogue of Murphy is strong but doable, and there is SUBTITLES to help if needed. Prepare to feel tense.

Episode details:
1 THE GOODBYE LOOK
Murphy undercover as gun dealer, meets Caz who works for crime boss Callard (Mark Womack-'Judge John Deed'). Murphy gets inside and accepts the kill-contract on Holloway.

2 DISORGANISED CRIME
Murphy continuing undercover to nail Callard is arranged to meet the McGeechan bros in Yorkshire who want assault weapons. Ellie (Georgia Mackenzie) wife of the 'hit', is the bros sis. Heroin is the reason for gun needs and Murphy has much to infiltrate and stop.

3 STRONGBOX
Still after Callard, Murphy runs into a counterfeit euros scam. There's a new undercover partner. Is Jill safe near Murphy? He needs to find the counterfeit gang and a killer, but who shows up?!!

4 EXTRA MILE
Garvey (Larry Lamb) a connection to Callard, discovered in #3 is now a part of Murphy's investigation. NCS boss Rees (Michael Feast,'Touching Evil') wants him taken. Murphy seems to find a hot babe in every episode, good or bad girls, he's not particular.

5 BOY'S NIGHT OUT
Murphy gets close to a sting for taking down Callard. Simultaneously he must testify in court for a murder case. Murphy's integrity is questioned? Duh!

6 HARD BOILED EGGS AND NUTS
A drug deal implodes & Murphy's left hiding with the bad guys. Thriller suspense ending to finalize this bloody & intense 6-episode plot mix.

BBC Northern Ireland originated (2005), seen on BBC America, now on DVD and worth it. But also look for Series 1 and 2. Then seek "A Mind to Kill: The Complete First Series" followed by a second. Then your nerves will never be the same.

Having viewed Seasons one (1) and two (2) of this superb British crime drama, I, of course, purchased Season three (3). My god, Season three (3) is really some excellent, intense wonderfully directed and acted T.V. viewing. Although some scenes in this six part (each part running over a hour) are horrific, I could NOT look away from the screen. Murphy (played breathtakingly good by James Nesbett--he is so good!) seems, to me, to be even tougher, this season, as an undercover cop/detective posing as a "hit man" and infiltrating the crime worlds of some very nasty crooks. Of course, he has to be very tough to survive as an undercover cop in the worlds of the criminals that are portrayed in the six very gritty and intense stories in Season three (3) of "Murphy's Law" All of the six (6) parts on the two discs involve Murphy's attempt to catch a particularly ruthless cop killer and drug dealer, Murphy has to really go very "deep" into the very dangerous underworld of some very dangerous criminals putting himself, at all times, in mortal danger.

Season three (3) is really superbly directed and acted with great scripts that had me "biting my nails".

(Be advised the scripts are so well written being full of humor and alot of "grown-up" dialogue prompting me to use subtitles to catch all.)

For connoisseurs of crime/suspense drama, this season is over the top great. James Nesbitt's creative direction propels the show to another level. "Murphy's Law" wastes no time on theatrical evaluations of criminal psychology. It's a shame they dropped the Irish priest friend, a great character and gentle ballast. This is a hard intelligent romp, snappy and tight, with crisp writing and great momentum. Typical Murphy: "What do you get if you cross an insomniac, an agnostic, and a dyslexic? Someone who's been up all night wondering if there really is a dog."

Season Three is an intense fantastic run, due to Nesbitt's superb story ideas and acting. Season Two was mired with the gratuitous loss of one of the leads and lesser stories. Throughout, Nesbitt inhabits the role of Murphy perfectly, stretched tight across the crucible of life. In Season Three, his indignation during the trial of a white-supremacist is a fascinating glimpse of a soul burning for justice, for clear parameters of right and wrong, a man who risks all that matters to him most. The friendship between Murphy and his cover-operative explores the twine of necessary trust, completely convincing. I've known fascinating aged ex-criminals, salt of the earth, friends with great stories, as well as law enforcement folks; this show actually understands the dynamics involved. Beware the dreadful Murphy's Law: Series 4 & 5. Nesbitt is also superb in the revival of Jekyll.