Zodiac (TV Series) Death of a Crab (1974) User Reviews

A fun start for the unusual crime solving duo.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 1 May 2019]

Zodiac kicks off with this, The Crab, which sees the unlikely pairing of a Policeman David Gradley, and palimist Esther Jones.

Who killed the man in the bath? It's a light-hearted mystery, which sadly doesn't give you a huge amount of suspects, so it's quite an easy one to work out. That doesn't matter, as it's thoroughly entertaining, gives an insight into what life was like in 1974 for someone very wealthy, and of course the glorious pairing of Rodgers, and the fabulous Anouska Hempel make it worthwhile.

A shame only one series was made, this first episode is very enjoyable indeed. 8/10

A good 'sign' of things to come...

[canndyman · 7/10 · 16 December 2020]

I'm surprised I'd never seen this short-lived series before, and it must have somehow passed me by in 1974. I'm a big fan of Thames Televison, and love 1970s TV, so I knew I'd be in for a treat.

In this opening episode, we get to see how suave detective David Gradley (Anton Rodgers) and beautiful and sophisticated astrologer Esther Jones (Anouska Hempel) initially get together as a rather unusual crime-solving team. He, the conventional tec, using his 'copper's nose', and her using her more psychological and spiritual powers - including what might motivate those under their respective star signs to behave the way they do.

The story concerns the murder of Parker, played by Peter Childs (who many British viewers will of course recognize as Rycott from 'Minder'). When he's found murdered in a bath of the plush apartment of a wealthy businessman, Gradley handles the case - soon to meet the glamorous Esther during the course of his investigations.

This story's not really a whodunnit as such, as it's fairly clear who must be the murderer - but it's enjoyable seeing how Gradley and Esther fit the pieces together and help each other to solve it using their own skills.

It's a studio-bound production, shot on videotape - so that's maybe one reason why it hasn't endured more than bigger budget series of the day perhaps. Having said that, I really enjoyed the 'seventies-ness' of it. It feels like an original and fun show, and it's great to see Anouska in her own series - having only personally really ever seen her in UFO, or on various panel games.

This episode feels like a good 'sign' of things to come, and I'm so glad I found it!

Death of a Crab

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 21 July 2020]

A crime series with Anton Rodgers as David Gradley, a nattily dressed detective with a trust fund. Anouska Hempel is Esther Jones an attractive astrologer with some good powers of reasoning.

Going by the opening titles and the names of the episodes. It looks like they will solve crimes that will be based on the signs of the Zodiac.

Gradley is investigating the death of what looks like the owner of a swanky modern penthouse flat filled with gadgets and a large marble bathroom with purple walls. The dead man was found in the bath drowned.

The audience knows that this is not the owner. Parker (Peter Childs) was invited in and a voice in a tape recorder told him to make himself at home. So Parker helps himself with the malt whiskey, cigar and runs a bath before he collapses.

Unfortunately shots of Parker in a fancy penthouse suite tends to make up the bulk of the opening scenes. It is like Thames Television telling the audience. You might have had to put up with the three day week under Ted Heath but look at how the other half lives.

It turns out that the owner Aikman (John Rhys-Davies) was in a health farm but that was his voice in the recording.

Parker was a former accountant turned barman. He was also the estranged husband of Esther who coincidentally also gives astrology readings to Aikman.

Esther is initially a suspect for her estranged husband's murder but her intuition, beauty and astrological insights intrigues Gradley.

The episode is more of a case of figuring why Parker was murdered rather than who did it. It is also bringing Gradley and Esther together.

It is at least an intriguing coupling of astrological sixth sense with detective work. I just hope that future episodes does not have filler scenes of someone aimlessly wandering around a flat.