Murphy's Law - Complete Series 1-5 [DVD]

Series 1 is quite a watchable production, but it's rather like meat and two veg, not particularly special. It's lightweight and lacks the attention to detail that would raise it above the average production. Sort of a 'production line' series.James Nesbit does his best with his role, as a wise cracking character and raises frequent chuckles. But is not that believable, particularly when he remains flippant in the face of imminent demise! Humour is great, but it needs to remain in context and not undermine the credibility of the drama.Claudia Harrison is the female lead, predicably cast as his boss and very easy on the eye, if rather ornamental. Oh for the gritty realism of Helen Mirren's Jane Tennison, or Caroline Quentin's down to earth Janine Lewis. Claudia goes through all the action without a smudge to her finely applied make up.More attention to detail would help. For example, it's so irritating when a character gets beaten up, only for them to appear shortly afterwards with no more than a superficial scratch?Not particularly strong plots, but on conclusion, very passable for a wet Sunday afternoon viewing.Series 3 onwards is totally different viewing. Darker, grittier and gripping! Not sure if they changed the writers or the producer, possibly both! I would recommend series 3 onwards unreservedly.

If you only recognise James Nesbitt from those old Yellow Pages ads or the more recent annoying holiday ads, please put those performances out of your mind because in this series, Mr. N is in a class of his own. First, I would advise viewers not to rate this series based on Series One - the show is in its infancy and I really believe the producers were not sure if it was going to be a serious show or one with comic overtones. Thank goodness, they plumped on tense drama for the remaining 4 series because it's high octane suspense from then on. The life of undercover cop Tommy Murphy is dangerous, murky and often a thrill ride - he lives on his wits, the storylines are gripping and become darker and darker with each new series. The performances are great and I would highly recommend this box set.

I have to confess I'm not a big fan of 'cop' shows. But having read and devoured the two Bateman books, I purchased this out of curiosity. I'm very glad I did.Season 1 and 2 are written by Colin Bateman. Each episode is laid back, superficial and utterly forgettableSeason 3 - 5 brings in a new writer and the drama gets much more realistic and much, much darker. This is where Murphy's Law really comes into its own. Tight plotting and a range of amazing actors make this series absorbing. In particular, James Nesbitt has never been better and displays such emotion that grips the viewer from start to finish.This is drama at its very best. Along with 'In Deep', this is unmissable and highly recommended. Please, oh please give us a sixth season.

It's a rare actor who can succeed equally in the very different fields of both comedy and drama, but the talented and versatile James Nesbitt does so with consumate ease and great style. As the undercover cop Tommy Murphy, he immerses himself immediately and effortlessly into the title role, never letting the pace, nor his portrayal of the character wilt for a single moment. For me, Series three is my favourite, and Nesbitt is fantastic as always. These are thrilling, on the edge of your seat stories, and you feel the danger he constantly finds himself a part of, and will him to extricate himself from situations that have the hair standing on the back of your neck. There are also moments of great sadness, when people close to him do not come through, or are damaged in some irrevocable way; the one thing about all of the episodes in each series is that you can never predict the ending. Absolutely thrilling crime drama and acting at its very best.

Law enforcement at its darkest credible self. Gives Spooks a good run for it's money. Updates the Sweeney to modern day, mucky, messy and dangerous undercover intellegence and intervention. Totally credible story lines and brilliant interpretation by Nesbit. A box set full of thrills and spills, risk and daring, twists and turns cutting edge drama spiced with raw humour. Money well spent, watch them over and over there's something you missed in every one. A real bargain.

The product arrived on time and in great condition

A fantastic dvd which was so different to the normal crime series.Well acted and each episode of the series kept me glued to the screen.

Fascinating, relentlessly menacing --- James Nesbitt is superb! 👍