Okay, let's talk The Long Call. You've seen it, right? Adrian Scarborough is brilliant.
Or have you seen it before? That's the question, isn't it? Because something feels... familiar.
I know, I know, it's based on an Ann Cleeves novel. But let's be honest with ourselves.
Is it Deja Vu or Just Another Detective Show?
Detective shows are like buses. You wait ages, then three come along at once. Each one with a slightly troubled but deeply intuitive lead.
The Long Call definitely fits that bill. Detective Inspector Matthew Venn is back, solving a case. But is the premise truly new?
Maybe that's why it feels so familiar. It's a cozy mystery with a modern twist, like a warm blanket of crime solving.
The Unpopular Opinion: It Feels Recycled
Here's where I might lose some people. I think I’ve seen this show before. Not *exactly* this show.
But a very, very similar show. Somewhere.
Is it just the beautiful Devon scenery? Does all British crime drama eventually blur into one picturesque landscape of murder and intrigue?
Perhaps. Or maybe it's the common tropes.
The troubled past. The tight-knit community with secrets. The brooding protagonist. We've seen it all before!
Don't get me wrong, it's enjoyable. The acting is great, the plot keeps you guessing.
But that nagging feeling persists. Like I'm re-watching a slightly altered version of something else.
The Case of the Familiar Feeling
So, has The Long Call actually been on TV before? Probably not, technically.
But in spirit? In essence? I'm leaning towards a resounding "maybe".
Think about it. There's Vera. There's Shetland, another Cleeves adaptation. There's Broadchurch. And Happy Valley. All fantastic shows, but...similar vibes.
It's the formula! It works, we love it, but let's acknowledge the comfortable familiarity.
It's a Compliment, Really. Sort Of.
To be clear, I'm not saying The Long Call is bad. Far from it!
It's well-made, well-acted, and gripping. It also doesn't shy away from Matthew Venn's homosexuality.
But it slots so neatly into the British crime drama category that it's almost too comfortable.
It is like sinking into your favorite armchair. Which can be good! Sometimes you just want something familiar.
So, if you felt like you'd seen The Long Call before, you're not alone. Your brain is just recognizing the patterns.
We're all detectives in our own way, piecing together clues in the vast landscape of television.
Maybe the real crime is the sheer volume of excellent, yet similar, detective shows flooding our screens! Guilty as charged.
So, next time you're watching a new detective drama and thinking, "Haven't I seen this before?", just smile. You probably have.
And that's okay. Grab a cuppa, settle in, and enjoy the mystery!
