With the world in lockdown and people consuming TV shows in heavy doses, the question comes to mind, what are you watching? While most are turning to glossy Netflix and Amazon originals for their binge worthy television, I came across a simple mystery show that has had me hooked.
Jonathan Creek (1997 - 2016) is different to most mystery shows, films or books. It is less about "whodunit" and more about how they did it, and to an extent the show isn't even about that. It's a comedy of manners, masquerading as a mystery thriller.
The show stars Alan Davies as the titular character. He's not a detective or former police officer as in most mystery stories, instead a magician's ideas man. A man who is interested in illusion, misdirection and the truthful (logical) answer. Supporting him in the early seasons of the show is Caroline Quentin who plays his character's opposite Maddy Magellan. Where he is gawky, she is sociable. She's a freelance journalist and also, a compulsive liar. She will do or say what she needs in order to get to the bottom of her story.
Together though they make a charming odd couple, trying to get the same answer for differing reasons. In later seasons, Jonathan is joined by other supporting character's to act as a foil, however none of them have the same charm or chemistry that Davies and Quentin share earlier on in the shows run.
Visually the show is shot like a typical British mystery thriller. Although the style and construction of the show is very different. The show is part puzzle box, part Screwball Comedy. The hook to each episode is, what has happened? A crime has been committed and we want to know how it happened. We then follow the key characters as they try to find out what has really gone on. That's the hook, but what keeps us invested and coming back for more is the levity of other aspects of the show. The witty back and forths and the contrast of the farcical situations the investigators get themselves into while seeking the truth.
Although at times tongue in cheek, the acting on the show is strong. The music is equally effective. Camille Saint-Saëns Danse macabre is the perfect piece of music to set the tone. Grand and lofty, serious and yet somewhat absurd. The music balances between scary and silly at the same time in the same way the writing balances the tones of mystery and romantic comedy.
There have been many parodies of the mystery thriller, however there are very few loving homages that stand out as their own entity. This show is one of them.
On the whole, the show feels fun and fresh. In a world filled with big budget movies and TV shows, this one maintains a uniqueness that permeates throughout. It isn't the greatest TV show every made, but it's got soul and character. It isn't concerned with lofty ideals, it deals with mysteries and people in conflict. It's funny, witty and mysterious: it's Jonathan Creek and there's really nothing else quite like it.
