Grace is a typical British crime series in every way.Grace is the television series in which every episode title contains the word dead. It's a joke, but it makes it clear what this crime series stands for. Grace is a typical and solid British crime series for three seasons. That is positive and negative at the same time. It is positive because the series contains all the classic facets of a good British series. Think of beautiful images, strong acting and stories in which the structure has been carefully considered. It is also negative because it has all the typical characteristics of a British police series. A detective with a trauma, Grace (John Simm, Strangers) is a difficult customer for his boss and also quite strong-willed. Of course, we've seen that before. It makes the series somewhat predictable.
This season there are three completed cases in three episodes of about an hour and a half. One story will appeal more than the other. Basically, all three stories are well put together. What is particularly striking is that Grace no longer relies on powers other than normal detective work. Those who have seen previous seasons of this series know what I mean. The result is that the storylines lose one of their startling and idiosyncratic aspects. This makes Grace a little more standard than before. Fortunately, he and his team still manage to irritate his manager. That is certainly an issue in the first episode.
Unfortunately, Grace is not the answer for sleuths who really want something different.
Every true crime series fan will also recognize from other series that private life plays an important role. Grace's wife Sandy (Clare Calbraith, Unforgotten) has been missing for years. She suddenly disappeared completely from the radar. After an intense and futile search, Grace now decides to have her declared dead. This way he can further develop his relationship with Cleo (Zoë Tapper, Liar). However, at a crucial moment in his life, it becomes clear to Grace that an old ghost may be emerging after all. That is not his colleague Glenn Branson (Richie Campbell, Top Boy). Glenn moves in with Grace due to private problems with his wife. It causes some friction between the two men because their lifestyles are not exactly aligned.
Grace has become a good but also somewhat predictable crime series. As a fan of British television series, I still thoroughly enjoy them. There is nothing wrong with the quality delivered. There is also more than enough tension. Unfortunately, Grace is not the answer for sleuths who really want something different. It follows the standard pattern too much for that.
