The previous Burke episodes were variable. The best being "Bad Blood" and "An Eye for an Eye", which to me were good despite both having a few too many twists, and "The Friday Event" (when 'Taggart' was starting to get particularly tired) and "Hard Man" faring worst. The others fared in between, being either disappointing or pretty good. So "Penthouse and Pavement" could have gone either way or close to either extreme.
"Penthouse and Pavement" is another one of the disappointing episodes up to this point of the period where Burke is in charge, though not among the worst. At least it did better than the previous disappointing episodes of the period in the team interaction, the investigative elements and making Burke a tolerable character. It's the case that's the let down here, and it doesn't make me feel any different in feeling that generally the show wasn't the same with Burke in charge, especially in the episodes with the shorter lengths.
Every lesser 'Taggart' episode has good things and "Penthouse and Pavement" is not exempt from this. The photography has the necessary grit and moodiness and the location is striking yet suitably unforgiving. The music matches that perfectly and the main theme is unforgettable. The script has its moments, especially between Jackie and Robbie. Jackie has one of her best ever lines in her response to Robbie's "some people's marriages eh?" The chemistry between them is great.
Also loved that scene with Robbie and Burke interviewing Billy and trying to frighten him, Burke being the silent good cop for once and Robbie as a bad cop was interesting to see. Then there is Jackie at the end, nice bit of feistiness and showing experience in self-defense. The leads gel well and make the most of their quite meaty material (or at least it was at this point of the Burke-period).
Sadly, the story doesn't really have much new and feels tired, so there are parts that drag. It confuses sometimes as well, there was more in the story than there needed to be and one never really gets to know the supporting characters. The supporting cast is competent but nobody stands out all that much.
Jackie at the end was great, but the ending itself felt rushed and almost last minute (which accounted for why the who and why aspects of the truth felt underdeveloped) and featuring a character that didn't make much of an impression in the episode.
Overall, above average but not all that great. 6/10
"Penthouse and Pavement" is another one of the disappointing episodes up to this point of the period where Burke is in charge, though not among the worst. At least it did better than the previous disappointing episodes of the period in the team interaction, the investigative elements and making Burke a tolerable character. It's the case that's the let down here, and it doesn't make me feel any different in feeling that generally the show wasn't the same with Burke in charge, especially in the episodes with the shorter lengths.
Every lesser 'Taggart' episode has good things and "Penthouse and Pavement" is not exempt from this. The photography has the necessary grit and moodiness and the location is striking yet suitably unforgiving. The music matches that perfectly and the main theme is unforgettable. The script has its moments, especially between Jackie and Robbie. Jackie has one of her best ever lines in her response to Robbie's "some people's marriages eh?" The chemistry between them is great.
Also loved that scene with Robbie and Burke interviewing Billy and trying to frighten him, Burke being the silent good cop for once and Robbie as a bad cop was interesting to see. Then there is Jackie at the end, nice bit of feistiness and showing experience in self-defense. The leads gel well and make the most of their quite meaty material (or at least it was at this point of the Burke-period).
Sadly, the story doesn't really have much new and feels tired, so there are parts that drag. It confuses sometimes as well, there was more in the story than there needed to be and one never really gets to know the supporting characters. The supporting cast is competent but nobody stands out all that much.
Jackie at the end was great, but the ending itself felt rushed and almost last minute (which accounted for why the who and why aspects of the truth felt underdeveloped) and featuring a character that didn't make much of an impression in the episode.
Overall, above average but not all that great. 6/10
