After re-watching a few episodes that were seen for the first time after 'Taggart' ended, it was good to re-watch one of the episodes watched when first getting into the show in my early teens. That being "Running Out of Time". On first watch, it was an interesting episode that had some tension attention grabbed enough but it never struck me as a favourite, and in all honesty there was a sense already that 'Taggart' was running out of ideas.
Re-watching "Running Out of Time" for the fourth time, since it first aired that is, it still isn't one of my favourite 'Taggart' episodes or an episode that has stuck in my head and never left it. My feelings in fact are pretty much exactly the same. Either of the Burke period and of the whole show. It is in no way bad, actually like it on the whole, and it has enough (well actually a lot) of what makes me like 'Taggart' so much that overrides the not quite so good. Just wasn't wowed.
As usual for 'Taggart', "Running Out of Time" is well-made visually, with the usual grit and moodiness in the photography. The scenery is both picturesque and unforgiving. The script intrigues, pulls no punches and there is some entertaining banter within the team. The team interaction is always cohesive, showing a real care for Burke, and there is never a disconnect, with some nice banter and also intensity.
Despite being indifferent towards Burke in some of his earlier appearances, he came on a lot as a character and a large part of me rooted for him to be okay. There is tension and a sense of jeopardy, even if it is never surprising with how it maps out. It's a well acted episode, leads and supporting.
There is a sense that 'Taggart' was starting to get tired though and there is a seen it all before throughout. The twists are clever but not surprising and there could have been more of them. The case didn't quite seem intricate enough and once Burke is found (it is amazing at how he held on for as long as he did with his injury) it runs out of steam and becomes less taut.
For me, neither the identity of the murderer or the motive shocked or surprised me. They're not blatantly obvious, they just didn't leave me floored.
Concluding, above average and with a lot of well done elements but didn't wow me. 7/10
Re-watching "Running Out of Time" for the fourth time, since it first aired that is, it still isn't one of my favourite 'Taggart' episodes or an episode that has stuck in my head and never left it. My feelings in fact are pretty much exactly the same. Either of the Burke period and of the whole show. It is in no way bad, actually like it on the whole, and it has enough (well actually a lot) of what makes me like 'Taggart' so much that overrides the not quite so good. Just wasn't wowed.
As usual for 'Taggart', "Running Out of Time" is well-made visually, with the usual grit and moodiness in the photography. The scenery is both picturesque and unforgiving. The script intrigues, pulls no punches and there is some entertaining banter within the team. The team interaction is always cohesive, showing a real care for Burke, and there is never a disconnect, with some nice banter and also intensity.
Despite being indifferent towards Burke in some of his earlier appearances, he came on a lot as a character and a large part of me rooted for him to be okay. There is tension and a sense of jeopardy, even if it is never surprising with how it maps out. It's a well acted episode, leads and supporting.
There is a sense that 'Taggart' was starting to get tired though and there is a seen it all before throughout. The twists are clever but not surprising and there could have been more of them. The case didn't quite seem intricate enough and once Burke is found (it is amazing at how he held on for as long as he did with his injury) it runs out of steam and becomes less taut.
For me, neither the identity of the murderer or the motive shocked or surprised me. They're not blatantly obvious, they just didn't leave me floored.
Concluding, above average and with a lot of well done elements but didn't wow me. 7/10