The Commander: Virus (TV 2005)

Commander Blake is still dealing with the aftermath of the James Lampton case. Not only has he pleaded not guilty to the murders for which he is accused, it now means that Blake will have ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Beeson

Stars:

Amanda Burton, Matthew Marsh, Poppy Miller

Cast

Credited cast:
Amanda Burton	...	Commander Clare Blake
Matthew Marsh	...	DCI Mike Hedges
Poppy Miller	...	DI Carol Browning
Thomas Lockyer	...	DI Ken Miles
Pip Torrens	...	DCS Les Branton
Paul Brightwell	...	DS Brian Hall
Anthony Valentine	...	Edward Sumpter
Saskia Reeves	...	Eileen Judd
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nicholas Ball	...	John Dawson
Charlie Caine	...	DS John Bilkins
Sean Chapman	...	DCI Frank Lane
Matthew Cottle	...	DC Gareth Buckley
Jake Curran	...	Michael Judd
Sara Dee	...	Margaret Rawlins
Ron Donachie	...	George Hart

Storyline

Commander Blake is still dealing with the aftermath of the James Lampton case. Not only has he pleaded not guilty to the murders for which he is accused, it now means that Blake will have to testify about their sexual relationship. With the added news coverage, Blake finds that the sister of one of Lampton's victims is now stalking her. Blake's own sister, who is terminally ill with cancer, moves in with her. In a separate case, a computer hacker who has gained access to online medical records and changing information is terrorizing St. Barnaby's hospital. His first victim is someone who had a severe allergy to nuts and the second is someone who is allergic to penicillin. The hacker threatens to kill one patient every 24 hours if he doesn't receive 20 million pounds.

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Plot Keywords:

affair | second part | stalker | dark heroine | e mail

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

La Plante Productions [gb]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 January 2005 (UK)

Also Known As:

Poliisikomentaja Blake: Virus

Company Credits

Production Co:

La Plante Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min 180 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by The Commander: Blackdog (2005)

User Reviews

Unwatchable

... and I do mean unwatchable as my wife and I had to give up.

We'd managed to get through the first incredibly painful episode (barely) wondering how we were supposed to believe that a woman this stupid could rise to the position of Commander and then how she could possibly survive all the mistakes she was mistaking without being dismissed from the force (with a slap on the wrist as it turned out: "who's been a naughty girl then? Just don't do it a again and all will be forgiven. Tsk tsk tsk.") We'd thought that things could only get better in this sequel. We were wrong.

Once again, the plot is beyond belief and the actions of the Blake character impossible to credit. She's being stalked so does she take action? No. There are murders in the hospital so does she call for the tech support that is obviously needed? No because it isn't serious enough (two murders not serious enough???). Does the hospital itself act to shut down the problem internet access? No. Are we expected to believe that the sister would think that Blake would buzz for entry into her own flat instead of using her key (and thereby admit the stalker)? Apparently.

I'd write more but I'm getting annoyed thinking of all the time we wasted on this drivel. As I said, unwatchable. We gave up after half and hour and I've cancelled my orders for the remainder of the series from our local library. I would suggest others try Burton's earlier "Silent Witness" series which was far better than this nonsense.