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Monday, January 13, 2014

Murder Most Stylish

Ever get hooked on a series and wish there were more episodes to follow?

That's my dilemma after watching all 13 episodes of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries streaming through Netflix. There was a second season (and no more) but, alas, it's not currently available on Netflix.

At The Frog & PenguINN we have two flat panel 26-inch TVs, small by today's mega-screen standards. But, we don't subscribe to any cable/satellite services. Instead, our viewing (TV shows/movies) is done via online streaming through Netflix or Amazon Prime. 

That said, we're always looking for something "new" in the sense of something we've never seen, even if a show or movie is not currently current.

On a friend's recommendation (thanks, Martha), I recently added Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries to my Netflix list. A scant week later, after watching the first season, I'm hooked and hope that Netflix adds the second season. Sadly, there wasn't a third one. 

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is an Australian television drama series, first broadcast on ABC1 (Australian PBS channel) in February 2012. The series, based on author Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher Murder Mystery novels, was created by Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger. You can definitely see that these female producers have brought a distinct style to the show.

The series revolves around the personal and professional life of Phyrne (rhymes with briny) Fisher, a glamorous private detective in 1920s Melbourne (portrayed by Essie Davis). The first series was filmed over a six-month period in and around Melbourne from July 2011; each episode had a budget of $1 million. A second series was commissioned in August 2012 with a filming start in February 2013 and aired from September 2013 until concluding with a Christmas special in December 2013.

The series setting is 1928 Melbourne, scene of jazz clubs, and an endless array of murders and scheming crooks. The Honorable Phryne Fisher (referred to as "Miss Fisher") is a wealthy aristocrat and a self-styled private detective who, with the assistance of her maid, Dot, and taxi driver friends Bert and Cec solves all manner of crimes. Miss Fisher is no ordinary aristocrat; she can fly a plane, drive her own car, and wear trousers. However, , she manages also to maintain so much style and class. 

This modern and sexy amateur sleuth nails criminals with a sharp tongue, failing that there is the gold, pearl-handled revolver she carries. The unflappable Miss Fisher solves cases without smudging her lipstick and still makes it home for cocktails.

The first season of the show while streaming on Netflix to mainly rave reviews, nevertheless has its detractors. More conservative viewers consider the Jazz-era heroine too racy for their tastes. (Could it be that these folks have never seen so-called reality TV shows OR do they perhaps believe these shows are for real?)

In response to those critics, Miss Fisher's creator, Kerry Greenwood, notes that her heroine behaves with the same freedom as a male hero, e.g., James Bond or The Saint. "No one thinks their multiple lovers are indications of slutishness. It's the old man about town/whore distinction which I had hoped we had got past sometime in the '70s. "I wanted a hero who was perfectly self assured about every aspect of her life."

You can learn more about Phyrne and her author, Ms. Greenwood, at phyrnefisher.com.
(Images used herein from online sources solely for the purpose of illustrating this post.)

Do you watch TV or prefer online streaming  -- ANY favorites to share here ?

9 comments:

Montanagirl said...

That sounds like a fun series. I had never heard of it, and we don't subscribe to Netflix, so I guess we're way behind the times.

Connie said...

We have just the basic channels on cable TV and also subscribe to Netflix. I've not seen this, but I'll have to check it out.

MadSnapper said...

one of my blogger friends lives in Dublin Ireland, she is swedish and loves American TV series. she streams them from netflix. someday i want an internet ready TV so i can do that. i could do it on my computer but i need a big screen to be happy

NCmountainwoman said...

I mostly watch streaming. I got in late but became totally addicted to "Breaking Bad." And I love "Damages." I will definitely check out the Fisher Murders.

Out on the prairie said...

mostly movies for me

DeniseinVA said...

It sounds so different but murder mysteries are what I enjoy and a setting in Melbourne makes it sound even more interesting, especially as it is in the early part of last century, and I absolutely love the clothing from that era. I can see I would thoroughly enjoy this series, thanks for the head's up.

Anvilcloud said...

You might enjoy George Gently on Netflix. It's set in the 60s and very well done IMO. Also Foyle's War in the 50s -- not quite up to Gently but quite interesting as well.

Triumph said...

Thanks for the suggestion. It's the type of show we typically enjoy a lot. I've added it to our Netflix list.

William Kendall said...

I have not heard of it- or the original source novels, but it sounds like fun!