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Must Watch reviews: Bergerac

Every week, the Must Watch podcasters review the biggest TV and streaming shows.

This week, Hayley Campbell and Scott Bryan Naga Munchetty to review the reboot of eighties crime drama, Bergerac.

Bergerac is based on the original series created by Robert Banks Stewart, which starred John Nettles and ran for nine series on the BBC between 1981 and 1991. It was filmed on Jersey, the largest of the Channel Isles.

Viewers meet Jim Bergerac, played by Brassic star Damien Molony as a broken man, grappling with grief and alcoholism following his wife’s recent death. When a woman from a wealthy Jersey family is murdered, Jim must fight through his personal struggles to become the formidable investigator he once was.

But what do the Must Watch reviewers make of it?

What do the Must Watch reviewers think of Bergerac?

Scott Bryan and Hayley Campbell give their views on Bergerac.

Naga: “Hayley, Must Watch?”

Hayley: “Not for me. Now, I never properly watched the original Bergerac, so I can't speak to whether or not it's like that one. But I have gathered through osmosis, just by generally being alive, that the original Bergerac was quite lightweight, with some pantomime villains.

"There was also a leather jacket and a cool car — the kind of things I approve of.”

Naga: “It was very innocuous. It kind of just happened on a Sunday evening. It just sat there in the background.”

Hayley: “And there was like one crime an episode.”

UKTV

Scott: “It also started the form of those crime thrillers, those self-contained episodes or shows with quite similar formats that they would dip into with a different story each time.”

This feels like every other detective show"

Hayley: “I think they've tried to do the thing that everybody does with shows now, which they've tried to make it darker and heavier. It's no longer a crime an episode. It's one long story. I think they're trying to do more character work, which is good.

“But what we end up with, to me, is a show that feels like every other detective show. It’s slow and predictable. We've got another alcoholic troubled detective — what a rare treat. This, to me, was fine. It's not amazing. It's just another detective show, and I think they all have their place, but I didn't love it.”

UKTV

Naga: “I think the bar is always going to be high for us when it comes to a detective show because we're flooded with them.”

If you were a big fan of the original, you’ll love this"

Scott: “That's because there is a new big landmark one every week that we have to review.”

Hayley: “And I love detectives, so I'm always going to be picky. I think I would personally make an excellent detective.

“I am very judgmental when it comes to these things, but this one is not my favourite.”

Scott: “Firstly, I want to watch that drama when 'Hayley the Detective' solves crimes.”

Hayley: “Look, I've got a leather jacket and a cool car. I can be a detective.”

Scott: “Have you fixed that dent on the car yet?”

Hayley: “Shut up!”

UKTV

Naga: “I'm getting us back on track... Scott, is this a Must Watch?”

Scott: “It's not a Must Watch.”

“However, sticking to the normal Must Watch form, I'm more optimistic than Hayley is in regards to this drama. I think there is a lot of love for the original version that this reboot is based on. I think it has also tried to move with the times.

“In the original, he was an alcoholic. Now he's trying to move off the booze and you see him battling. Well, he's basically been forced to therapy and he does not want to be there. Jersey looks fantastic in it.

“Apparently, Jersey paid a lot of money because it's a big advertising opportunity.”

Naga: “You can't have Bergerac and it not be set on Jersey.”

Scott: “Exactly. I have to say there were lines of the script and there were moments that really made me chuckle.

UKTV

Scott continues: “For example, Zoë Wanamaker in the first episode she says, ‘after your next AA meeting, just make sure you buy yourself a packet of mints’.

They've tried to make it darker and heavier"

“That was because Jim [Bergerac] was trying to say, ‘oh, I'm totally clean now, everything's fine’.

“I found the dynamic of the investigation a bit different compared to a lot of typical ones. I was more interested in the direction that the drama takes than I would be with every other show that we review. It's not exceptional. However, I think there has been a lot of love for it and I think it's been very well done.

“Also, this was the drama that started so many more. I think a lot of other crime dramas are based on this one.

“I completely see your view about yes, it is the 'typical detective whose got a personal life full of problems'. But this one was the original one. I think for Bergerac fans, if you were a big fan of it from the 80s, you will be impressed with this.”

UKTV

Naga: “I think it's equally as inoffensive. Which isn't a great compliment, but it is.”

Scott: “But also it's that safe predictability. We were talking about why this show was so well loved back then. I think it was because it was always quite 'same-y', sometimes very surreal and a bit daft, but actually it was a bit of TV furniture and I think this is trying to do the same here”.

Naga: “We have enough stuff in our lives!”

Scott: “It's lovely.”

Hayley: “I think we've all done the same review - it's fine.”

Naga: “Yeah, it's fine.”

Bergerac is available on U&Drama now and you can also watch on the streaming service U.

But before all that, why not Scott and Hayley with the shows you’ve been loving, loathing or both on [email protected].

This week, the team reviewed Dope Girls and David Frost vs.

Listen to the full show on BBC Sounds now.

As always, we like to include your reviews - on shows you love, loathe or lament.

Message @bbc5live on social media using the hashtag #bbcmustwatch or email [email protected].

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