paudie I'm running out of superlatives for the Prime Suspect series. Series 3 is another gripping crime drama, this time set against the background of the world of London rent boys. Despite it's lengthy we were tempted to watch in one sitting, though we didn't quite manage it! The highlights this time are long scenes showing DCI Tennison interviews witnesses and suspects. This shows Helen Mirren at her finest, portraying an intelligent police detective who knows exactly how to structure an interview to get the truth from people.The theme of police corruption also looms large right from the very start. Glimpses of Tennison's rather sad personal life are also shown.She's still off the ciggies though!

larryb-9 The director did a superb job pulling PS 3 together. There are many twists and turns and unexpected endings. This shows the fullness of human nature in graphic, dark but jarring peeks into a modern police investigation. It also is a thought provoking portrayal of how powerless we often are to bring about meaningful change in erasing the root causes of such crimes from our communities.The interjection of the investigation teams personal and sexual lives adds to the drama and richness of PS 3. The beginnings of life, childhood interrupted and the degradation of some of humanity is well portrayed. The dialogue is often excellent and you have to listen to some of the questioning sessions carefully to pick up nuances that become important later. The resolution is not as expected leaving the audience with a lot to think about about the rent boy issue today.Mirren again bucks the system and the old boy network. the crusty Sergeant Bill Otley also surprises -- sometimes hard and occasionally "soft" when faced with the grit and horror of the crimes they are investigating.There is no sugar coating hear. Highly recommended.

grendelkhan Prime Suspect 3 is by far the darkest of the series. It also marks the departure of series creator and writer Lynda La Plante. The later series suffer from her absence.SPOILERS: Helen Mirren returns as DCI Tennison, newly transferred to Vice. She finds herself reunited with old nemesis Sgt. Bill Otley. Otley still doesn't like her, but they forge a wary alliance to conduct an investigation into the death of a young male prostitute, which overlaps with an ongoing effort to clean up a problem with "rent boys", male child prostitutes. The operations have been compromised at every turn and there are rumors of a cover-up. Tennison comes across characters like Vera Reynolds, a female impersonator and friend of the murder victim; James Jackson, a pimp and dangerous predator; and Edward Parker-Jones, an apparent humanitarian administrator of a youth center, with a hidden, evil past.Tennison finds herself stonewalled at every turn and becomes suspicious of her superiors' motives. She uncovers spies within her team and secrets upon secrets.The performances are spectacular. Mirren is always good in these productions. Tom Bell adds new dimension to the misogynist Otley. He shows a humane side when he talks with the young exploited boys. David Thewlis moves across the screen like a wolf among lambs; a flawless performance. Peter Capaldi is riveting as the fragile and frightened Vera/Vernon Reynolds.The series examines the dark and sinister world of these young, exploited "rent boys". Most are runaways, living on the streets. It also examines the lives of homosexuals and the prejudices they often face; and, the courage it takes to live openly, as illustrated by an officer on Tennison's team. It enters the horrid world of pedophiles and shows how they destroy innocent lives. It also shows how many equate homosexuality with pedophilia, through the attitudes of many on the police force. The series takes the courageous route by showing good and bad examples amongst the gay characters, and that the pedophiles are almost entirely heterosexual.Make no mistake, this series is depressing. There is little satisfaction to be found in the end; except for the feeling that you have witnessed something honest and amazing. The series provides no answers to the problems it shows, they are too complex. But it does force you to think about them and make you care; and that is what great drama can do.

hafilax At first, we had a hard time understanding the accents, but by the second episode we caught up and enjoyed it a great deal. Then again, we were watching a home-taped VHS copy, so the sound was a little muted.The acting and the writing were excellent.