The Brokenwood Mysteries (TV Series) Spark to a Flame (2022) User Reviews

A sparkling great episode

[lbowdls · 9/10 · 13 August 2023]

I've really enjoyed what I've seen so far of this season, especially this really fascinating episode. There are about 8 suspects and one of my top two I suspected did it. Usually I don't like it when I guess it but it was such a great, intriguing episode - as most of the usually are of course - all round that I didn't mind the unraveling of all the possible clues and relationships, and the reason behind the murder. The pacing didn't go too slow, which in some instances Brokenwood eps do, and you get lost. But this was just right with finding out who all the suspects were and possible reasons.

I basically took of one point due to 3 things- that fact I pick the murderer, the victim herself was very innocent and didn't deserve to die- most of the time it's some horrible person who everyone hates, and there was no Frodo, Mrs Marlow - who seems to have exited in the last season - but I hope she'll be back!

Original plot ... until some boring 'twists' towards the end - plus distracting background sounds

[SunnyDaise · 5/10 · 27 February 2023]

There are some new plots in this episode, but ultimately it just goes down the done-to-death issues. Unusually, there was also really irritating constant noise in all the police station main room scenes - not noticed it before, so I think it was a temporary problem on set. All in all, I wouldn't watch this episode again - especially as there wasn't much humour either. If The Brokenwood Mysteries are to keep me watching, they really need to improve / broaden the range of characters and motives etc. The actual murder replay is quite traumatic and quite scary, in an understated way. But at least Gina had her quirks and there was a cute dog to balance things!