REVIEW: ‘The Brokenwood Mysteries’ Holiday Pop-Up Collectible
Photo: The Brokenwood Mysteries stars, from left, Nic Sampson, Neill Rea and Fern Sutherland. Photo courtesy of Acorn TV / Provided by press site with permission.
The Brokenwood Mysteries, the light-hearted mystery series from New Zealand, features the investigative prowess of DSS Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) and Detective Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland). They try to solve some bloody, gruesome murders, but the manner in which they conduct their business is usually more humorous and fun, rather than depressing and stark.
Their coverage area is the beautiful town of Brokenwood, a smallish hamlet in New Zealand that has an unbelievably high rate of murder. One of the most disturbing crimes in the town occurs when the local mayor has his throat slit, and his good friend is stuffed down a chimney. This sordid tale, dubbed A Merry Bloody Christmas, has a lot of Santa references and yuletide cheer, and now it has been preserved in a special “Holiday Pop-Up Collectible” DVD from RLJ Entertainment and Acorn TV.
One has to give it to writer Tim Balme and director Murray Keane. For this Christmas special, they do not pull any punches. Killing the mayor of Brokenwood may seem too drastic a storyline (who will be left after this show’s bodycount?), but the creative team forges ahead with the investigation.
The Christmas episode, running 90 minutes, begins with the aftermath of the crime: The mayor, wearing a Santa suit, is found dead in his house by his daughter. After Shepherd and Sims arrive on the scene, the second body is found, the mayor’s “friend,” who is stuffed down the chimney. She too is wearing a Santa suit. Hmm?
Although the December holiday is meant to bring joy and happiness to the world, this is Brokenwood, so all bets are off.
One has to love Rea’s portrayal of the DSS. He’s quirky and offbeat, asking questions with a reserved kindness and genuine inquisitiveness. At his heart, he’s a character who is trying to do good in Brokenwood, a town that sometimes still considers him an outsider. Sutherland is equally impressive in her role. She is dedicated to her profession and works well with Shepherd, often finishing his sentences and keeping up with his strange theories that somehow always prove to be true. Much appreciation for Nic Sampson’s supporting work as Breen, another investigator on the team, and the townsfolk are all interesting and unique (a barber, a vegan activist, a butcher, a mayoral candidate).
The landscape that the series depicts are quite stunning and makes viewers want to book a trip to New Zealand. Even though this is a Christmas special, this is the southern hemisphere, so there’s no snow on the ground — just lush greenery and quaint streets.
The Brokenwood Mysteries is a solid entry in the gluttony of murder mysteries available. The show has the blood and crimes, for sure, but it looks at society’s ills through rose-tinted glasses, always finding the funny amidst all the mayhem.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Brokenwood Mysteries Holiday Pop-Up Collectible. Starring Neill Rea, Fern Sutherland and Nic Sampson. Written by Tim Balme. Directed by Murray Keane. Click here for more information.
