Dalziel and Pascoe (TV Series) The Wood Beyond (1998) User Reviews

Dalziel battles Captain Marvell while Peter ventures into the past

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 22 May 2017]

There was such quality in these early episodes of Dalziel and Pascoe. The Wood beyond is one of my all time favourites, it's so utterly different from the rest. Definitely split down the middle, we see Dalziel sort out corruption in the present day, Animal rights and big business, and we see Peter battle corruption in the name of his Grandfather, a Soldier that died in World War I, in British hands, in the name of medical advancement.

Such a quality story, you can't help but get caught up in the various strands, each as interesting and suspenseful as the other. Always a joy to see the name Frances Barber in the credits, I don't think I've seen her in anything bad, she's great, and makes for a good match to Andy's gruff character. Julie Hesmondhalgh is also good as Animal right's protector Wendy, in an early role for her.

It's such a well written story, this is a very strong adaptation.

8/10.

a suspenseful episode

[leno · 8/10 · 10 July 2003]

I have seen three episodes so far (Child's Play, Under World and this one) and I must say that this one was the best episode I've seen. It is unlike those other episodes suspenseful and exciting (in stead of dramatic and weepy) and it really got me guessing what happened, although you could see the ending coming a bit to early.. All in all a good detective with very good acting by the always nagging Dalziel and a good supporting cast.

arsenic, medicine, murders and other murders

[ivers_1991 · 9/10 · 25 October 2005]

The episode is played both under the WWI and present. Inspector Peter Pascoe's grandmother is buried, and he discovers material saying that a doctor murdered soldiers and even his grandfather by arsenic poisoning. The doctor is making experiments of a medicine, Metodine, who is going to help patients with lung problems. This is played in the sight of Robert Pascoe. Pascoe also finds that the hospital he is sent to is isolated as the letters from outside is burned. Meanwhile in 1998, a environment group splits and Dalziel falls in love with the leader as her friend is being killed by the doctor's grandson. The leader's brother is killed in Africa and she finds that tests show that it is given too high arsenic doses to the population.

Great episode

[julieannebroadhead · 10/10 · 23 April 2021]

Following on from the passing if his grandma, and flashing back to his grandfather's life and subsequent claim of desertion during service in the war, Pascoe is on a mission to clear his name. Meanwhile Dalziel is investigating the break in at a research facility by so called "woolly hats" aka activists one of whom comes across a body in the wood whilst trying to evade capture there is more to the story behind the break in than meets the Eye.

Barry to miss this one

[xmasdaybaby1966 · 9/10 · 23 July 2021]

Probably my favourite story of my Binge-watch yet.

I am watching this more than 20 years later because when this was shown, TV didn't put good shows on in the summer months and I thought this was one of those poor shows It's not quite Midsomer Murders (despite several actors guesting in both). It generally doesn't know where it's going. There is little in the way of humour and the cases generally aren't that enthralling.

Frances Barber brings something special to this one, always playing quality roles plus a young Shaun Dooley offers interest too.

The flashback element does improve the usual storylines.

A good watch.

No law enforcement

[Grouch39 · 3/10 · 8 June 2022]

While this.episode is well acted, the fact that a group of characters is caught red-handed in acts of assault, kidnapping, breaking and entering, destruction of property and theft and none of that group was immediately charged, totally ruined this episode for us. How is that competent police procedure? The overarching story aside, this lack of logical steps taints the episode.