Personally am a big fan of 'A Touch of Frost', if more so the earlier-mid-show episodes than the later ones (though there isn't an unwatchable episode of the lot). Love the mix of comedy and dark grit, the tension between rebellious Jack Frost and by-the-book Mullet which has led to some humorous moments, how Frost solves the cases, the production values, music and of course David Jason in one of his best roles.
Some may have had doubts at the time of 'A Touch of Frost' working, with a mostly comedic actor in a more serious dramatic role in a very different kind of programme to other roles and shows he's famous for. Scepticism very quickly evaporated, 'A Touch of Frost' turned out to be a hit and Frost is one of Jason's most famous roles for very good reason. "Care and Protection" is a great start, perhaps not one of the show's best episodes but unlike a lot of shows tone and characterisation is quite well-established and there isn't as much of a still settling in feel.
Of course there were lighter in tone and funnier episodes since, with "Care and Protection" being one of the darkest and grittiest 'A Touch of Frost' episodes, and maybe there is a little bit of Del Boy in Jason occasionally (understandable, being a role that he played for a long time and was still portraying at the time of when 'A Touch of Frost' first started). In no way are these problems though.
Visually, "Care and Protection" looks great, matching the dark, gritty tone of the episode beautifully with atmospheric lighting and the stylish way it's shot. The music is haunting without being over-bearing while the theme tune is one of the most iconic in the detective genre (or at least to me it is).
"Care and Protection" is very well written too. Tension, emotional poignancy and a little humour (if not as much as later) are very well balanced. The story, with as said a darker and grittier to what was to come, is riveting, with Frost's subplot making one really feel for his situation and the two cases are interesting and harrowing, never falling into the trap of being disjointed. Frost is a remarkably well-established character for so early on, and one cannot help love his chemistry with Barnard (appealingly played by Matt Bardock) and with Mullet (a suitably stern Bruce Alexander).
Jason gives an excellent performance and went on to do even better. The supporting cast do very well too, if nobody quite outstanding.
In conclusion, great start to a personal favourite. 9/10 Bethany Cox
