Search - Rosemary & Thyme - Series Two on DVD

Murder and mayhem in the mulch.....

Dianne Foster | USA | 01/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Watch Rosemary and Thyme for a while and it's hard to refrain from garden metaphors about murder. Public television did a wise thing when they arranged for the viewing of these gals (in our area on Saturday evening). At long last, I feel for the first time in a while, that I am getting my money's worth by donating to my local stations when they have their pledge drive. As a retiree, I watch the Afternoon Tea series on Maryland Public television (British humor) while I clean bird cages, but in the evenings, at least once or twice a week, I like to watch British murder mysteries, (and not the gross products showing up on the BBC channel) which I can get on my local WETA and MPT stations.

Series Two of the DVD episodes includes the recent crop of R&T shows, so if you live out in the hinterland where your local public television or cable doesn't connect you with public television, you can now own your own set of films on DVD. Rosemary Boxer is played by Felicity Kendal, she of `Good Neighbors' fame, and Mrs Laura Thyme is played by Pam Ferris from the Darling Buds of May. Rosemary and Laura formed a gardening partnership after Rosemary lost her job teaching botany in a local university and Laura's DCI husband ran off with a younger woman. The two "gardeners" fell into sleuthing when bodies began appearing at the various sites they were contracted to work.

Series II includes three volumes (each DVD total time = 141 minutes) with several episodes on each for a grand total of eight episodes (one is a two part story). The stories are relatively new, having been shot in 2004 and go as follows:

1/ The Memory of Water (two part episode) - Rosemary and Laura are hired by barrister Martin Frazer to restore a walled garden of his father's museum. Frazer has access to cheap labor from a nearby prison but after the workers arrive, events take a deadly turn when a man is seen jumping into a nearby river.

2/ Orpheus underground - Laura hopes to heal a rift with her grown daughter Helena when she is invited to construct a memorial garden near Helena's home in London's Notting Hill. Soon a body is found in the garden.

3/ They Understand Me in Paris - Rosemary's old friend has invited the gardeners to her house in southern France to restore the 150-year old garden. Some one appears anxious to stop the project and soon bodies appear (Mel Martin plays the old friend).

4/ The Invisible Worm - When R&T go to Stagford Lodge Prep School to investigate dying roses they soon find themselves involved in a strange school ritual involving a stag.

5/ The Gongoozlers - R&T get a taste of the cutthroat world of reality tv when they agree to act as consultants to the host of a garden show. Belinda Lang (Agatha Troy) plays Quinnie Dorrell, the host of the show.

6/ The Italian Rapscallion - Working on the Ligurian coast of Italy, R&T are under pressure to finish a restaurant garden for a new establishment of a friend. As a perk, they visit the nearby Giardini Tremont garden where a body appears. Laura's affection for cats provides a vital clue.

7/ Swords into Plowshares - Why is archeologist Gemma Jackson posing as Rosemary to gain access to Engleton Park?

8/ Up the Garden Path - The picturesque village of Rowfield is a hotbed of turmoil and dissent as the annual garden show approaches. Soon a leading contender is found dead.

This series can best be described as "older chick flick." PBS has finally discovered it's demographic market segment.

"

Do not have to compare to the book

bernie | Arlington, Texas | 02/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally a program that was built from scratch and not based on a book or writer. They can not do it wrong because this is it. Looks like there is more horticulture than in the Brother Cadfael series.

Two women, each have a Life changing experience just before the series starts. Soon they become friends. One a hands on gardener, with a law enforcement back ground Laura Thyme, (Pam Ferris), the other an academic horticulturist with an old four wheeler vehicle Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal).

The programs are of the two trying to find out who dunnit and how. We do not get bogged down in love interests.

Each episode is unique in its approach. The only pattern I see is that it is like in the movie "A shot in the dark" where everyone is guilty except the maid. In this series there may not be a lit of murderers, however there are a lot of guilty people.

Well sit back and enjoy the view, smell the roses, and buy the series so you can watch again and again.
"

MATURITY

GEORGE RANNIE | DENVER, COLORADO United States | 06/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is nice to see some non-extremely-stretched-mature-women staring in a mystery series. Felicity Kendal, (as Rosemary Boxer) and Pam Ferris (as Laura Thyme) are wonderful as professional gardeners and would-be detectives in the Rosemary & Thyme series. The aforesaid characters are savvy, knowledgeable and extremely humorous. Season two continues the premise of season one--two mature female horticulturalist solving gardening problems in beautiful English Gardens where murder mysteries seem to somehow be among the fauna which our two mature amateur detectives, Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme always solve splendidly.

I found "The Mysteries" in Season Two to be far more intriguing than the ones in Season One--the first two part episode is a fine example (just complicated enough to keep one alert but not too complicated that it was sleep inducing) . Although the Season two scripts, to me, are far superior to Season One, the two lead characters (Rosemary and Thyme) are still very much the same offering much wisdom, insight and humor. In addition, the English Gardens (there are peeks at gardens in other countries too such as France and Italy) featured are still very gorgeous--what a pleasure it is to see them! I really enjoyed this season and I DO plan to purchase any future releases.
"

Simply The Best

M. Rubin | Orange County, CA | 03/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just adore this show! I find the stories smart & clever, and the two main characters, Rosemary & Thyme, extremely entertaining, and likeable. It is nice to sit back and watch a murder mystery without all the obvious gore that can come with it.

I must also mention, the background scenery is fantastic! I feel as if the backdrops are as much a steady character in the show as are Rosemary & Thyme. With this I am learning a thing or two about horticulture which in turn is making me want to jump into gardening with my Sherlock Holmes hat & pipe!

I look forward to Season 3 AND I am in hopes that this will continue for quite some time. I am a youngster...(35 years old)....so it's not just for those over 50! If you enjoy good murder mysteries with a dash of clever fun, then this is a must for your collection!"