A Touch of Frost (TV Series) Nothing to Hide (1994) User Reviews

An OK episode with an outstanding cast

[LCShackley · 7/10 · 23 August 2008]

The mystery plots are only a fraction of what makes Frost a success. Much of it has to do with the interaction of Frost and his colleagues at the cop shop...and of course, the fine visiting cast members.

This episode is a case in point. The solution to the actual murder mystery jumped out at me about 30 minutes in and was no big surprise, but it was still fun to see David Jason and Neil Dudgeon work out the details. A sub-plot involving Supt. Mullett getting plastered at a going-away party added additional fun.

And speaking of Dudgeon, the supporting cast in this episode reads like a who's who of men who went on to have major roles in other mystery and/or police shows. Check out the credits on Neil Dudgeon, Gerard Horan (the cop in THE BANK JOB), Michael Feast, James Saxon, and Colin (Pascoe) Buchanan. And the episode was directed by John Glenister, father of the brothers Philip (LIFE ON MARS) and Robert.

Another Multi-Layered Case

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 9 September 2015]

Frost has another partner, a young cynical man named Costello. He has been busted to Constable after hitting a superior. He is barely hanging onto a job and receives no respect from anyone in the precinct. The case this time is a young ne'er-do-well who has been killed in a public toilet. He is a drug addict and lowlife who has crossed Frost's path before. Frost has some affection for young people who have fallen into disrepair. There are several facets to this case: a sister who has remained loving to this man no matter what he does; a doctor who has worked with young boys; a street person who lived in the same awful place as our young man. Frost and Costello must literally wade through all kinds of filth. We also are made privy to Frost's mistress, who he was seeing while his wife was dying.

Another great episode

[jamiecostelo58 · 9/10 · 11 December 2006]

A drug addict is found dead. Was he murdered or was it simply suicide? In his quest to discover the truth, Frost works with bad tempered D.C. Costello, and also comes into contact with an old flame....

The usual great drama and funny moments combine to make Nothing to Hide another watchable episode of A Touch of Frost, where the simple aspects of family loyalty come together for a believable conclusion to the case.

Actor Barry Jackson is very amusing as down-and-out Walter, and is a character we can actually have some sympathy for, while Neil Dudgeon delivers his portrayal as D.S. Costello extremely convincingly. A good storyline.

Excellent episode

[grantss · 9/10 · 14 June 2022]

Another great murder mystery in the Frost series. The culprit is not obvious and it will take good old-fashioned police work to solve the crime. As always, resourceful Detective Inspector Frost is on hand to work it all out.

Also good to spot Ewen Bremner, pre-Trainspotting fame.

Perhaps Season 2 at its weakest, the performances especially still make it very much worthwhile

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 22 June 2017]

'A Touch of Frost' is a personal favourite of mine, and one of my favourite shows from the detective/mystery genre. Do have a preference perhaps for the earlier-mid-show episodes over the later ones, but none of the episodes are less than watchable and none do anything to embarrass the show.

So much appeals about 'A Touch of Frost'. Love the mix of comedy (mostly through Frost's snide comments and quips) and dark grit, the tension between rebellious Jack Frost and by-the-book Mullet which has led to some humorous moments, how he interacts with the rest of the staff, the deft mix of one or two cases and Frost's personal life, how Frost solves the cases, the production values, music and of course David Jason in one of his best roles.

There may have been people initially sceptical about whether the show would work, and with Jason (a mainly comedic actor) in a departure from usual in the lead role. Scepticism very quickly evaporated, with the first season containing three consistently great episodes, even with the darker and grittier approach with less humour, that established the tone and characterisation so brilliantly so early on with no signs of finding-their-feet. The second season opener "A Minority of One" was up to their level. There was a slight dip with "Widows and Orphans" but that was still very good.

"Nothing to Hide" is perhaps Season 2 at its weakest, that said it is still a very much worthwhile episode, particularly for the performances. Its weakest element, perhaps its only weak spot, is the ending. The solution, motive and the identity of the killer were very obvious early on, to me agreed a third of the way through, and after a lot of twists and turns and complexity it was a shame to see an otherwise strong episode to end on such a predictable note.

However, "Nothing to Hide" looks great visually, matching the dark, gritty tone of the episode beautifully with atmospheric lighting and the stylish way it's shot. The music is haunting without being over-bearing while the theme tune is one of the most iconic in the detective genre (or at least to me it is).

The script is well written, with a few amusing quips from Frost this time round, and thought-provoking, and the story is continually compelling with tension, grit and shocking twists. Also loved the Mullet subplot, easily one of his funniest moments of the whole show.

Frost is a remarkably well-established character for so early on, and one cannot help love his interaction with the rest of the officers and his chemistry with Bruce Alexander's stern and by-the-book Mullet, who constantly despairs of Frost's unconventional approach. His chemistry with the character of Costello was hugely believable.

Jason is brilliant as usual as Frost, while Bruce Alexander, John Lyons and Neil Dudgeon excel every bit as well. All the support do just fine, particularly Barry Jackson pre-'Midsomer Murders' days.

In summary, a very worthwhile episode and at times a strong one let down by an obvious ending. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Nothing to Hide

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 24 February 2021]

The death of a junkie Ben Cornish in the town's public toilets takes Frost away from a police retirement party.

At first the police surgeon thinks Ben choked on his vomit. Later he revises it to being literally beaten to death.

Cornish was a tearaway. He even robbed his own family to feed his habits.

There were several suspects. A dodgy doctor new to the town but he seems to know Cornish. A property developer who has bought the house Cornish was squatting in. There is also Cornish's brother in law, unhappy that his house got robbed by Cornish.

Frost is lumbered again by a new partner, DC Costello who has been demoted for punching a superior officer. He has a surly attitude but keen to build his career back up.

I did think the pace was leaden. Frost seems to rely on getting lucky breaks with some random important pieces of information from people.

It probably did not take much for the viewer to pinpoint a suspect. I was surprised that they suddenly confessed. A good lawyer would probably had got them off if they kept quiet.

Then there were a few side stories which just made the whole thing flabby. The humorous one being Mullett getting drunk and being driven home by a pretty policewoman.

Frost meets up with an ex flame, his bit on the side while he was still married. She did not seem pleased to see him.

"You're not exactly Warren Beaty"

[ygwerin1 · 8/10 · 11 July 2022]

Denton Nick is losing one of its Faithful retainers an officer has finally escaped Superintendent Mullets clutches by retiring from the force, Mullett is at the bash and everyone there appeared to be intent on getting him Brahms and Lizt, by perpetually topping up his drinks with doubles of whatever he asked for.

Normally when D. I. Jack Frost has a new working partner they may be considered as having drawn the short straw in the arrangement, but this one D. C. Costello has to say the very least a chequered past.

A Ben Cornish someone well known to D. I. Frost is found dead in a public lavatory, has his lifestyle finally proved fatal, could it possibly be anything other than that?

His mum Mrs Cornish can't bring herself to identify his body, and other long suffering family members his sister Anne, and her husband Ray Butler have to oblige.