'A Touch of Frost' is a personal favourite of mine, and one of my favourite shows from the detective/mystery genre. Do have a preference perhaps for the earlier-mid-show episodes over the later ones, but none of the episodes are less than watchable and none do anything to embarrass the show.
So much appeals about 'A Touch of Frost'. 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 he interacts with the rest of the staff, the deft mix of one or two cases and Frost's personal life, how Frost solves the cases, the production values, music and of course David Jason in one of his best roles.
Considering the previous two episodes "Care and Protection" and "Not With Kindness", which were of such high quality, it was natural to expect a lot from "Conclusions" concluding the first season. First seeing the episode a number of years ago, those high expectations were more than met and 25 years on it's still a great episode. As remarked in my review for "Not With Kindness", it is amazing how well established and settled everything is in terms of tone and characterisation.
Many shows took a while, sometimes as much as a season's worth, to find their feet, but 'A Touch of Frost' is one of those examples who found it very early on. Sure, later episodes took a lighter tone and had more of a mix of comedy and grit (have a marginal, but only marginal, preference for those), but in no way is that a criticism of the darker and even grittier cases when 'A Touch of Frost' was still in its infancy.
Visually, "Conclusions" 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).
"Conclusions" is yet another very well written episode. 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, a lot goes on here with more than one case to crack and the usual personal life subplot (this time in the form of working and dealing with a struggling new officer) but never does it feel disjointed and the cases themselves are compelling and tense.
Frost is a remarkably well-established character for so early on, and one cannot help love his interaction with the rest of the officers and his chemistry with Bruce Alexander's stern and by-the-book Mullet, who constantly despairs of Frost's unconventional approach.
Jason continues to be brilliant, and Bruce Alexander and George Anton do a great job supporting him. Sue Johnston gives the best supporting/guest turn of the first season too.
In conclusion, Season 1 ends with no disappointment whatsoever. 9/10 Bethany Cox
