The Doctor Blake Mysteries (2013–2018) User Reviews

Great characters and good mysteries

[pensman · 9/10 · 5 September 2015]

One of the advantages of having a multi-region DVD player is being able to watch programs from all over the world; hence, I get to watch Dr. Blake (Craig McLachian). The series is set in 1950's Australia in the town of Ballarat. Having served his turn in the army as a doctor assigned to the British hospital in Singapore, Blake was witness to atrocities, served time in a POW camp, and lost both his Asian wife (died) and daughter (orphanage). There are hints he also worked for British Intelligence; but now he has returned home, taken up his father's practice, and serves as the police surgeon (medical examiner). With his curious nature, he quickly finds himself working as amateur detective. While he has a somewhat combative relationship with boyhood friend. now Chief Supt,. Matthew Lawson (Joel Tobeck), they generally find themselves working together to sort out the crimes and catch the criminal.

During the first season, Blake had an ally in Constable Daniel Parks (Rick Donald); in the second season that position is taken by Senior Constable Charlie Davis (Charlie Cousins). Then there is additional support from his insightful housekeeper Jean Beazley (Nadine Garner) ; lodger and district nurse Mattie O'Brien (Cate Wolfe) ; and assist. ME Alice Harvey (Belinda McClory).

Ballarat seems to be the Australian equivalent of Cabot Cove, Maine in that it has a pretty murderous population. One of the things I enjoy about the series is the development and growth of the principal cast members. We learn a little more about each with every new episode. The mysteries are pretty good but the setting is somewhat limited to the obviously historical buildings available. This is not any real distraction but rather gives the series a feeling of reality.

Dr. Blake is somewhat a character of flaws which we are given to understand are a result of his war years. He drinks too much, jumps to the occasional wrong conclusion too quickly, and can rub the town's important people the wrong way which can have consequences for both himself and his friends. Indeed at the end of season two Chief Supt. Matthew Lawson is sent off for "political" reasons and is replaced by Acting Supt. Doug Ashby, who clearly has no admiration or respect for his Medical Examiner.

There is a lot to like with this series and I look forward to watching series three which I have ordered from Australia, and I understand a fourth series has been commissioned.

Fabulous new Aussie murder mystery

[Carmilla-3 · 9/10 · 6 February 2013]

After seeing this show wondered why we don't have more types of TV like this made in Australia.

I so love the production on this new Aussie show, which is made in Ballarat and set in the early 50s.

A worthy partner of Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries, another fabulous, beautiful looking period piece.

I really really liked this show. I was worried thinking of my memories of Craig McLachlan singing Mona in the 80s with a mullet and all those terrible shows he was in like Neighbours etc but he does a great job as Dr Blake and I really love his house set up and rather eccentric personality!

Can't wait for the next episode.

Good Show for US

[amnylaw · 9/10 · 20 August 2016]

Starting watching this show on PBS last year and it is excellent. It gives a view of what Australia and the Far East was like politically after WW2 which is not very well understood by Americans. Hope the show continues with more of the rich political history of Australia. Acting and character development is good. Surprised by the writes tackling difficult topics and give a slant on them that most Americans can learn from. Mysteries are sometimes obvious but still worth watching. PBS should keep this series coming to America. Australia is such an interesting country which has an extraordinary rich history and this show gives a peek at it. Keep up good work

Just seen this in the UK

[stephenmcur · 10/10 · 30 November 2013]

Just found this in the UK and loved it. It is a classic example of the period detective genre like 'Ripper Street' or 'Murdoch Mysteries' with a little bit of 21st century hindsight. That is par for the course. I didn't find Blake at all grumpy - quite the opposite. I get a little fed up with the short tempered detectives of the likes of Frost or DCI Banks. But Blake is anything but that. Setting the series in Ballarat rather than Melbourne also allows it to have the feel of a small town environment that the Aussies seem to love to do. Think of 'Blue Heelers', 'A Country Practice' or (dare I mention them) some of their soaps. As with most Australian dramas there is an underlying positiveness - despite the traumatic past that the characters might have had.

Smart little medical mystery show

[Zen416 · 8/10 · 16 October 2015]

A nice little gem out of Australia. The premise about Dr. Lucien Blake, a police surgeon (kind of like an earlier era law enforcement medical examiner) who can't escape the shadow of his super successful father, also a doctor is intriguing. Blake (portrayed with a steady hand by Craig McLachlan) makes a few totally human assumptions along the way in each weeks mystery. This means he messes up and sometimes is lead down the wrong path before finding the right one. I like this because it means there aren't too many ridiculous jumps in logic when the sleuthing happens and the clues are followed. Sometimes the mysteries can be solved by the audience before the end but sometimes not. Again, I like something that makes me think a bit. Its also nice to watch a show from Australia that doesn't feature the tired stories about bubble heads hanging out on a beach or some forgettable vapid slapstick comedy thing. Great show, solid cast, nice tidy little, well-written under-an-hour whodunits. Grab a cup of tea or Java and have a sit-down and watch this show if you like mysteries.

Riveting Australian detective drama series

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 11 August 2015]

The Doctor Blake Mysteries may not quite be among my favourite shows of all time, but it's a riveting series that keeps getting better and one of the better detective drama shows in recent years. Unfortunately, it's buried within BBC's daytime television scheduling and aired at a time where most people will be at school or work, and the show deserves better than that.

The post-war period is beautifully evoked in the sumptuous but also atmospheric settings and scenery and charming costumes and period detail. The series is beautifully shot and atmospherically lit, the dark grey-ish tinge being very appropriate and adding much to the overall feel of the series. The episodes are scored sensitively and the haunting theme tune gets embedded in the brain, while the direction is suitably restrained but the crimes and solutions sometimes have a genuine eeriness.

Writing is consistently good, with great thought-provoking dialogue that always makes the mystery elements interesting but the atmosphere doesn't ever feel too grim. The story lines, apart from moments of slow pacing in the first season, are so riveting, with suspensefully written cases that you care about getting solved, that one can't wait for the next episode. The solutions are never too obvious either, nor are they too complicated. The characters are well-written and are more than just stereotypes (although it took me a while to get used to Munro, who is the complete opposite of Lawson in a not-so-good way), Lucien is a fascinating title character.

Craig McLachlan is superb in the role as well, quite possibly his best role and certainly the best acting he's ever done. He seemed an unlikely choice at first, but the characters suits him perfectly. All the acting is very good actually, and seldom if ever any less.

All in all, a riveting series that deserves better treatment scheduling-wise. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Awesome

[qtaq-63285 · 10/10 · 20 August 2017]

I just ran across this show on Netflix and just really fell in love with it. I was sadden to learn it was canceled by ABC really don't understand why. Greatly written awesome acting. Someone should surely pick it up and continue the Mysteries of Doctor Blake. I would recommend this show to any one.

Classic gentle nostalgic who done it, consistently good quality great actors.

[andrew-36452 · 10/10 · 7 January 2016]

I first came across this series a couple years ago and since then have looked forward to each new series and have not been disappointed every episode has hit the mark.

Craig McLachlan breaks away from his likely lad image and makes a brilliant job playing the maverick police surgeon Dr Lucien Blake. The wonderful Nadine Garner plays his housekeeper Jean Bezley to perfection. Equally brilliant is Joel Tobeck as the police inspector and former school mate of Dr Blake.

The inter play between Dr Blake and his housekeeper is major source of amusement running through the series. Both characters have back stories that put obstacles in the path of a romantic outcome. Joel Tobeck's police inspector has the tricky job of managing Dr Blake he admires Blake's brilliance but has to reign in Blake when breaks procedure and takes the investigation of at a tangent.

Watch and enjoy every episode is a gem.

A winner for those who love a well-executed murder mystery

[MorpheusRU · 9/10 · 30 July 2017]

Recommended series. Lucien Blake (Craig McLachlan) is an ex-POW now practicing medicine in post-WW2 Ballarat, Australia who gives the local police headaches by his obsessive refusal to accept the obvious explanation when called to the scene of a murder in his official capacity. Engaging characters, elegant ensemble acting, and fantastic period sets make this a winner for those who love a good murder mystery. Close attention is required for those who don't speak Australian. Erotic tension between the Doctor and his no-nonsense practice manager/housekeeper Jean (Nadine Garner) adds spice to the mix. Despite being it's highest rated show, the series inexplicably has been canceled by the network. Yet another Dr. Blake Mystery.

I love this show!

[emerald-86857 · 26 December 2017]

I very much enjoy this show. I look forward to every episode. Acting is very good and the plots are entertaining. It is nice to watch a television show without profanity and vulgarity. This just goes to show that it is not necessary to have those negative attributes and still be entertained. Thank you for making!

Season One underwhelming

[nancyldraper · 6/10 · 17 July 2019]

After watching the first season, I was on the fence as to whether I would continue with the series. The things that glue me to a series are: story, characters, core relationships, good writing and great performances. The mysteries were all right. The cast seems sound (RIck Donald is a favourite from 800 WORDS and WENTWORTH). But I think where it is failing for me is in the character development and the relationships. My first thought, after a couple of episodes was, "I don't think the writers know how to write female characters." The primary female character, Jean, has no depth (she could have just as easily been cast as an aged housekeeper left from the household of the former Doctor Blake, except for the fact that she seems to be be being held in reserve for a romantic relationship for Blake). Her role in the household switches from episode to episode (surrogate wife, receptionist, bookkeeper) and she has one emotional response to most everything, disapproval. I don't think this is the fault of the actress. I think this is a fault of the writing. Poor Mattie doesn't fare much better. Why is she in the household? She isn't a relative. Is she a boarder? She is definitely a tease for a romance with Danny. But, once again the women are only written as peripheral to the men. With the season finale, we are lead to believe another femal is about to join the household and by the posters of other season, relationships seem to be on the horizon. So, I think I'll slog on, but my rating for this season is a 6 (fair) out of 10. {Period Episodic Mystery}

Very enjoyable

[beresfordjd · 9/10 · 10 December 2014]

Craig Maclachlan is a revelation in this. I had only ever seen him in Neighbours or as a pop star. He is great as Dr Lucien Blake - the part really suits him and he is totally convincing as a doctor. When I first watched this I took no notice of the cast list and just thought "there is something familiar about that guy"! It took most of the first episode before the penny dropped. It is a pity that the programme has been buried away in the BBC's daytime schedule. I am convinced that it would draw an evening audience were it to be shown then. It is certainly a cut above Midsomer Murders et al. What helps the reality is the fact that all the actors are unknown over here in the UK. I have seen two series now and the quality has not dropped at all.

Starts out with promise

[beagleman-00361 · 6/10 · 9 April 2017]

Great acting and character dynamics in my view, and the plots are good and engaging. My problem with the series so far though is the attempt to inject politics and social views in the plot structures. While I'm not completely averse to opposing views being expressed in a show or series, I do find it distracting when the expressions are one-sided and in conflict with the tempo of the time setting regardless of the perceived benefits to the audiences.

I'm going to keep watching for awhile longer but not sure how long I'll be able to if their social activism continues which would be a shame because in general, this series has the hallmarks of a great show.

Not Everybody's Favorite

[beezkween · 2/10 · 6 April 2017]

Most of these reviews are years old; this is 2017 and brand new. I give "Doctor Blake" a 2 out of 10, only because of the saving grace of Craig McLachlan, who deserves far better treatment than he receives as Lucien Blake. So far, in my short viewing history, I've seen the Police Chief du Jour change three times, and each officer is more antagonistic towards the good doctor than the last. Blake solves every murder, treats everyone with kindness and over-extended courtesy, he's a highly skilled medical guy and should be Prime Minister of Australia! WHY IN GOD'S NAME DO PEOPLE TREAT HIM LIKE HE'S A LEPROUS RAPIST???? I'm watching (for the last time) his persecution at the hands of the current Police Chief (can't be bothered remembering his name; he'll be gone by next week)who wants to know why he - Blake -- doesn't file his reports faster, accusing him of stalling, then just hanging out for a few days, leisurely screwing up the police work in Ballarat. Dumb and Dumber, as is the somewhat surly attitude of Mz. Jean, who must be related to all the police chiefs. Attitude is everything, and this show is drowning in Bad Attitude!

Bring it back!!

[rosemarysac-62356 · 10/10 · 21 November 2020]

This series is Excellent!! Why do you always cancel the best ones?? Bring it back ASAP!!!

Charming, Compulsive and Creative

[veronica-rowe · 9/10 · 11 December 2013]

A charming return to life in Australia in the 50's.

Craig Mclachan plays Lucien perfectly.(In fact I love him in this role.) A man blighted by loss, heartache and hardship. Finally we see the light beginning to shine in his life as the local DR/Police Consultant.

The setting of Ballarat is beautiful. I disagree with previous comments on its filming being too dark... it just adds to the feel of the whole series. I found the whole series to be well written, played out and it was compulsive viewing.

Support cast are very good with believable characters, with a very realistic portrayal of women living in a male dominated world.

Looking forward to series 2 coming to BBC.

Show canceled???

[jyoder-677-395223 · 10/10 · 10 November 2019]

How dare you. This a great show that is enjoyed by millions. It is such a mistake!

Absolutely great

[fenryrgreyback · 10/10 · 10 August 2016]

This series takes the history of its setting very seriously, the costumes are top notch and if the "murder of the week" genre is a bit overused, I think this is one of its best manifestations on TV. I find the acting top-notch, which makes characters very easy to love or dislike (and the cast is quasi-exclusively Australian). Some have complained about how slow it can be, I think it's a welcome change from testosterone-fueled action series and it suits the character profiles much better. There's a very distinct atmosphere to this show, a bit different but very appealing in my opinion and I would recommend it to pretty-much anybody.

Well done!

[lilyrowan · 9/10 · 8 November 2017]

We started watching Doctor Blake last year thanks to our local PBS station. To be honest, it took a few episodes to grow on me. My initial turn-off wasn't the content of the show but rather the dark filming. When they lightened up the filming a bit, I started enjoying it so much more. It also allowed us to see more vividly the beauty of Australia. I'm on my second viewing of the show through season four and am loving it this time around even more.

All of the characters are brought to life perfectly by the actors. They work so well together. We do chuckle at the rotating office chair of the Superintendent, but each officer occupying said chair has had a purpose. Charlie has been the surprise for me. There's a lot going on with this character, and I like how he honors Jean in a son/mother sort of way. There is a pattern of most characters clashing with Dr. Blake then growing to be his ally, but I like watching it play out anyway. Alice was a great addition.

I agree with some who wrote that the show has gone a more soap opera route as it progresses, but I don't mind that. The show is more about relationships than anything else, probably why I like it so much. There is still an interesting mystery every show.

I'm looking forward to seeing more!

Familiar Places and Faces

[cosmax10 · 8/10 · 20 April 2017]

I love this show more for nostalgic reasons. I use to live in Melbourne, Victoria for 4 years and loved Ballarat and Bendigo. I lived in a state that had a large Italian/Greek population and many of the characters that have appeared on the show absolutely look like that. The character is a bit withdrawn and wooden, but then that was typical back in those times. I grew up in Perth, the west coast, and most of the men back then were restrained. The housekeeper reminded me of some of my aunts keeping a stiff upper lip and all emotions to yourself. Some of the plots are very good, and some kind ah. I am looking forward to the next season.

And on that bomb-shell....

[trimmerb1234 · 6/10 · 8 December 2016]

...as our Jeremy (Clarkson) once regularly used to say. This particular episode was both a surprise and a confirmation.

The surprise was in the context of a long and bafflingly unresolved situation of Dr Blake and his not unattractive live-in house-keeper, Jean, where there is mutual interest, more on her side than his. The questions the situation would have posed an audience in 1958 - and been a certain object of local gossip in reality - as much as it does today are: have they or haven't they? Will they or wont they? But Dr Blake is a modern secular version of a role which would once have been filled by a clergyman or priest - Father Brown perhaps closest - given the good doctor's ability to also act as a police detective - and whose behaviour is way beyond reproach of any kind.

The bombshell is considerable, indeed could hardly have been greater given the lengthy slow burning fuse: the unexpected arrival of his Chinese wife Mae Lin from 1941 for whom he had searched for years after the end of WW2, with whom he had a child and believed was dead.

But this is fictional 1958, an idealised 21st Century reconstruction of an earlier and very different era and things - and values - and it seems also History have changed very much in nearly 60 years. The cars are authentic models from that era but attitudes and behaviour not I think remotely so. Mae Lin's arrival, beyond Dr Blake's trauma, produces a tremor in a teacup but not much more. The policeman discretely and delicately suggests to Dr Blake that the situation "must be difficult" for him. Jean tears up but is hospitable and civilised towards Mae Lin. Dr Blake, Mae Lin, Jean and other local ladies sit down for a meal, the atmosphere is slightly strained because Mae Lin just isn't aware of what goes on the locality but the ladies try to make her feel welcome. Jean accepts the changed situation, the end of all her hopes, bravely and silently.

It's an enjoyable series and Dr Blake's exemplary decency is attractive and a change. It is history but not as we once knew it. In the 60 years since 1958, PC has come to mean more than just Police Constable, indeed something far more pervasive and enthusiastically policed - more in some places than others, it seems. This episode like all others I've seen takes its cue from real life historical facts then views them through the thickest of police constable goggles. The result is comforting, reasurring and audience pleasing. But whatever current floats your boat, or doesn't as the case may be.

comforting

[birdscatsdogsac · 8/10 · 6 September 2019]

I still keep thinking when is the clown Henry Ramsay going to appear With mullet, love the title music, love the cello,Thank God it's like productions made by the BBC, instead of made in Hollywood where millions is thrown at it and it makes absolutely no sense ,this is like reading a novel and it's exactly !!!!( relief )the same. Interesting to learn about Australia I have relatives and knew nothing about late 1950s and early 1960s Australia, it has elements of Sherlock Holmes updated and British police dramas ,Sadly it's now been discontinued, so like the BBC there are now gameshows ,Way too many gameshows ,Been watching it on the drama channel, not prepared to pay for a subscription to watch it though.

The BBC would be ashamed of this

[jamesmoule · 20 February 2013]

Melbourne has produced two costume dramas for the ABC in two years. This is indeed a partner for "Miss Fisher" and, unfortunately, has all its faults. Perhaps the reason for the obscurity of the original authors is their lack of knowledge, or perhaps complete disregard, for criminal law. Unlike realistic police dramas like "The Bill", even if just "soapies", these Australian period pieces treat police and The Law with contempt. In Dr. Blake's case, he would or should be arrested several times in each episode for breaking the law, usually perverting the course of justice but also for break and enter. The late '50s cannot be recreated just by rolling a couple of Ford Customlines onto the set. In the third episode, for example, a character is asked how he is feeling and starts his reply with "Yes", an irritating speech affectation of the 21st century. When Dr. Blake uncovers homosexuality, he and other characters show very liberal attitudes which were as rare as hens' teeth in those days, especially in country towns and especially among members of the medical profession. I blame Agatha Christie for this sort of sloppiness. No doubt the General Public will love it. Most people just don't care, I suppose, and will take my comments as those of a pedant.

Nice atmosphere, but SLOW

[fvangenne · 6/10 · 23 October 2014]

The setting and characters are nice, but there is very little mystery.

After watching 15 episodes we almost always guess the plot and the villain after 5-10 minutes. Although there is an odd surprise in some episodes. But then the solution just seems to drop from the air at the last moment. Blake c.s. do not ask any of the obvious questions and therefore the can go on endlessly 'investigating'.

This would not be so bad if there was enough development in and between the cast members. But that also goes at a very slow pace. There are enough angles, but much seems left unused. The actors play well however, so my vote is positive. But not more than that.

If the overall goal is to show that life was slower then, it succeeds.

Great show ruined by over-used recurring theme

[etiennestories · 5/10 · 17 March 2019]

My partner and I loved this show from the beginning, and would have given it 8 or 9 stars. Would have, because the recurring theme of Doctor Blake dealing with an antagonistic Chief Superintendent was overdone. Supt. Lawson understood Blake's character, and the relationship worked. And we were glad to see that his replacement came to understand and appreciate the doctor's help. But no sooner than he'd arrived at that conclusion, he was abruptly replaced by Supt. Munro, a quintessential "by the book" clown. Enough is enough, writers. You've beaten that theme to death, left it out in the sun to die, driven a stake through its heart, and decapitated it. That vampire is toast. Also, there is often lack of attention to detail. In one of the first two episodes of season three, Dr. Blake discusses the deceased's stomach contents. Yet a few minutes later in the show, they're standing by the body on the autopsy table, with the sheet drawn down, revealing a chest with no "Y" incision sutured up. We decided last night, that if there was one more episode with the antagonistic Munroe, we would stop watching the series.