There is a lot I like about Jonathon Creek but there is also a little that annoys me about it too. There is no doubt it attempts something different from the usual crime TV fare we get. Too many crime programmes come from the same template with a detective with personal problems who does not ... Read review
Advantages: Well written and well acted Disadvantages: a little formulaic
There is a lot I like about Jonathon Creek but there is also a little that annoys me about it too. There is no doubt it attempts something different from the usual crime TV fare we get. Too many crime programmes come from the same template with a detective with personal problems who does not play by the book and gets results. The main characters of Creek and Maddy are quite likeable. A little quirky, yes, but not so that they stretch credibility. ... ...and building society advert man Alan Davies and the rapport with Caroline Quentin who plays Maddy works well on screen. There seems to be a certain chemistry between them, not sexual but more maternal. Quentin holds her own and she is among the top British comedy actresses today.
The one difficulty I sometimes have with Jonathon Creek is that it is heavily formatted. The programme will always start with the murder which appears relatively ... more
There is a lot I like about Jonathon Creek but there is also a little that annoys me about it too. There is no doubt it attempts something different from the usual crime TV fare we get. Too many crime programmes come from the same template with a detective with personal problems who does not play by the book and gets results. The main characters of Creek and Maddy are quite likeable. A little quirky, yes, but not so that they stretch credibility.
Jonathon is played by comedian and building society advert man Alan Davies and the rapport with Caroline Quentin who plays Maddy works well on screen. There seems to be a certain chemistry between them, not sexual but more maternal. Quentin holds her own and she is among the top British comedy actresses today.
The one difficulty I sometimes have with Jonathon Creek is that it is heavily formatted. The programme will always start with the murder which appears relatively simple at first sight. There will then be a sequence disconnected from the story for example Creek working for his magician employer Adam Klaus a shallow womaniser. Maddy will then become associated with the case first and try to solve it without getting close to the solution. Creek will then become involved and while Maddy tries to show her knowledge and understanding of the case Creek will make enigmatic noises. It just all feels a little too similar in structure each week. When you get the revelation of the solution at the end it’s a bit like Charlie Chan or Agatha Christe meets Paul Daniels.
Despite this I have to acknowledge it is well written and contains many funny moments. The cases which Jonathon Creek investigates are quite different too from the usual bumped off prostitutes and 2-dimensional villains in programmes like ‘A Touch of Frost’. Long before the end though you will be guessing who dunnit like Maddy and you will be swapping your theories with those around you.
The quirks are there though, Creek as a windmill dweller and dreaming up illusions whilst Maddy manages to personally stumble across more murders than the population of an average town does in 20 years. All things considered though it is funny, watchable and entertaining. Even the repeats remain fresh and interesting.
Advantages: comedy, crime, romance, mystery! Disadvantages: it'll have you pulling your hair out!
Wow wow wow! Whoever writes this programme is a complete genius! Although i’ve watched just about every episode and each time think i’m getting closer to thinking the way they are, I have never yet been close to solving one of these mysteries!
Jonathon Creek is a magicians sort of right hand man. I’m not sure quite what you’d call him. He has a fantastic mind and as his main occupation he works out new magic tricks for a ... ...reluctantly) dragged in by Maddy, a journalist, to together solve some bizarre crimes.
I t begins with a death of some sort very often and what appears to be a complete mystery. However Jonathon Creek comes along and asks all the right questions (you can see his mind working and all the clues are there but it’s still a kick yourself moment when he reveals how it was all done). If you haven’t seen this yet then you really really must, ...
emuku 31.07.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of BBC1 - Jonathon Creek
Advantages: Excellent cast and storylines Disadvantages: We need a new series
I wish the BBC would hurry up and make a new series of Jonathan Creek. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the episodes so far, first time round and again as repeats!
Jonathan Creek, played by the stand up comedian Alan Davies, is the advisor to the womanising magician Adam Klaus. Jonathan is the one who devises all the tricks for Adam and generally tries to keep him in order, with limited success.
Madeline Magellan, played by Caroline Quentin, is a ... ...mysteries each week.
The plot invariably revolves around some sort of crime, which has been committed apparently impossibly. Jonathan and Maddy follow up the avenues of enquiry sometimes together if they’re ‘friends’ at the time or separately if they’ve fallen out over some trivial matter, which is a regular occurrence.
There is a sexual chemistry between them, which is usually thwarted by Maddy playing hard to get and then ...
SusanLesley 15.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of BBC1 - Jonathon Creek
Advantages: really good storylines, great characters, good fun Disadvantages: it's not on all year!
Jonathon Creek, think he's a geek? - then why always 'Pick of the week'? Poor old Maddy, gets in a paddy. She tries but can't get him into bed, he's too busy revealing mysteries about the dead. With his mop of curly hair, Maddy giver him the stare...
There's been another murder, done with a gurder. They drive to the scene, Maddy looking pristine
They check out the joint, Jonathon making a point of
Slowly chewing his gum, while working out how ...
laurajones 10.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of BBC1 - Jonathon Creek
Advantages: Very clever, very well made, good cast and special guests Disadvantages: WE NEED A NEW SERIES!
...series.
I hope there's a new series because I'm sick of the repeats. Once you know how it was done, it's not as good to watch.
Repeats of Series Two WERE on Saturday nights, BBC1 but now they've finished. We await news of Series Three.
EDITED 24/02/01 ...
MrNutz 14.02.2001 (24.02.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of BBC1 - Jonathon Creek
Advantages: Intriguing light hearted entertainment Disadvantages: None
Jonathon Creek is based on the good old fashioned mystery formula where the “detective” sifts through the evidence as the viewer watches, presents the clues and comes up with the answer as to who done it.
The current repeat series gives the viewer a chance to spot the clues all over again and come up with the answer much to the admiration of those around them who haven’t seen the programme before. Of course if you are like me and ... ...worth a second viewing.
But Jonathon Creek, played by Alan Davies, is not a detective as such but more of an investigator of mysteries who is called in by all and sundry to solve their current problem. He is a lateral thinker and that explains his success at solving the problems that at first glance do not have a solution. His sidekick Maddy Magellan, played by Caroline Quentin (ex-wife of Have I Got News For You’s Paul Merton) as a rule represents ...
jimbuck 31.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of BBC1 - Jonathon Creek
