I ask but one question to the folks who tuned into The Doctor Blake Mysteries last night: Is it too soon to declare my love for Craig McLachlan? And his sexy neatly shaped beard?
I know it’s inappropriate but I was having flashbacks of the ‘Mona’ video clip throughout last night’s screening titled ‘Still Waters’. There he was, our Craig, all clean shaven playing his guitar on the back of a Ute in the late eighties. Singing a terribly catchy song and dancing badly in a chesty bonds. Oh, weren’t they the days people? But, I digress…
Half way between Heartbeat and Doc Martin sits a pleasant new Friday night murder mystery from the ABC. Miss Fisher fans are suffering withdrawals from Det. Jack (Nathan Page) and they needed a clear distraction. This is it! McLachlan will only need a few more episodes with that wide brimmed hat before we want to madly rip his shirt off Jack style.
With a simple storyline and the killer guessed before 9pm, The Doctor Blake Mysteries is still absolutely worth the watch for all crime buffs and others who like alcoholic, prisoner of war types who solve crimes by consuming drugs and wading in Lake Wendouree in really nice suits with fitted vests over crisp white shirts. Very neat indeed.
It’s great to see a show set in country Victoria, in the lovely Ballarat where the actors would have no doubt been warned to bring their woolies. However, Craig’s beard would have kept him warm. I really fancy that beard of his. But, again, I digress.
There’s a great host of guest actors to look out for too. I’m also hoping that Blake and his ‘housekeeper’ Jean (Nadine Gardner) get it on at some stage. I remember her in The Henderson Kids and she is still as cute as a button with her 1950’s do’ all neat and tidy.
Writer Stuart Page has written a wonderful first episode and with nine more to follow, I’m secretly hoping Craig’s whiskers are given a spin off at the end of the series.
The Doctor Blake Mysteries airs Fridays at 8.30pm on ABC1.
