Frost investigates two serial criminals preying on senior women, a burglar and a serial killer while working with a beautiful new partner.Frost investigates two serial criminals preying on senior women, a burglar and a serial killer while working with a beautiful new partner.Frost investigates two serial criminals preying on senior women, a burglar and a serial killer while working with a beautiful new partner.
Photos
Pamela Cundell
- Mrs Barrett
- (as Pamela Cundall)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode is based on one of the story lines in the third Frost novel "Night Frost", which was published two years prior shortly before the series began production. It is heavily toned-down compared to the book, in which there were three additional senior citizens killed (although only two by the serial killer; the third is attacked by the house burglar in "self defense" and dies later in hospital, whereas Mrs Haynes is the one who dies later in the show and not immediately as in the book). Frost's partner in the book was D.S. Gilmore, who appeared in the previous series' Not with Kindness (1992) along with most of the novel's other story lines. In this episode he is partnered by D.S. Maureen Lawson in her first of several guest appearances, a new character created specially for the show. D.C.I. Allen is also written-in to the episode as he (as D.I.) was away sick in the book, leaving Frost to investigate basically every crime in Denton.
- GoofsWhen Frost's car is driven by his Detective Sergeant to the launderette, the car is deliberately driven the wrong way down a one-way street. This is something that no police officer would do unless in an emergency.
- Quotes
D.C.I. Allen: [Talking about DS Lawson] She's a good-looker. I hope you don't find yourself tempted.
D.I. Frost: What? Sleep with a junior officer? Gawd dear! Mullet would love that, wouldn't he? Actually, Jim, I've lost the, henh, urge. You know... women. What's that... growin' up or growin' old?
Featured review
Not as good as the previous episodes, still very good
'A Touch of Frost' is a personal favourite of mine, and one of my favourite shows from the detective/mystery genre. Do have a preference perhaps for the earlier-mid-show episodes over the later ones, but none of the episodes are less than watchable and none do anything to embarrass the show.
So much appeals about 'A Touch of Frost'. Love the mix of comedy (mostly through Frost's snide comments and quips) and dark grit, the tension between rebellious Jack Frost and by-the-book Mullet which has led to some humorous moments, how he interacts with the rest of the staff, the deft mix of one or two cases and Frost's personal life, how Frost solves the cases, the production values, music and of course David Jason in one of his best roles.
There may have been people initially sceptical about whether the show would work, and with Jason (a mainly comedic actor) in a departure from usual in the lead role. Scepticism very quickly evaporated, with the first season containing three consistently great episodes, even with the darker and grittier approach with less humour, that established the tone and characterisation so brilliantly so early on with no signs of finding-their-feet. The second season opener "A Minority of One" was up to their level. "Widows and Orphans" is a slight step down from the previous episodes but is still very good.
It is agreed that things are diminished slightly by the obvious identity of the killer (though the motive is a shocker), revealed a little too early. Otherwise there is little to criticise, and not everybody is going to find this an issue.
Visually, "Widows and Orphans" looks great, matching the dark, gritty tone of the episode beautifully with atmospheric lighting and the stylish way it's shot. The music is haunting without being over-bearing while the theme tune is one of the most iconic in the detective genre (or at least to me it is).
The script is well written, with a few amusing quips from Frost this time round, and thought-provoking, and the story is continually compelling with tension, grit and shocking twists.
Frost is a remarkably well-established character for so early on, and one cannot help love his interaction with the rest of the officers and his chemistry with Bruce Alexander's stern and by-the-book Mullet, who constantly despairs of Frost's unconventional approach. Frost also deals with the tension between him and Tanner, the prejudicial nature showing both characters being at fault while not making them less likable.
Jason is brilliant as usual as Frost, and everybody else supports him just as well. Christopher Fulford is wholly convincing as someone whose actions are not to be condoned but one feels sorry for him too.
In summary, very good if not as good as previously. 8/10 Bethany Cox
So much appeals about 'A Touch of Frost'. Love the mix of comedy (mostly through Frost's snide comments and quips) and dark grit, the tension between rebellious Jack Frost and by-the-book Mullet which has led to some humorous moments, how he interacts with the rest of the staff, the deft mix of one or two cases and Frost's personal life, how Frost solves the cases, the production values, music and of course David Jason in one of his best roles.
There may have been people initially sceptical about whether the show would work, and with Jason (a mainly comedic actor) in a departure from usual in the lead role. Scepticism very quickly evaporated, with the first season containing three consistently great episodes, even with the darker and grittier approach with less humour, that established the tone and characterisation so brilliantly so early on with no signs of finding-their-feet. The second season opener "A Minority of One" was up to their level. "Widows and Orphans" is a slight step down from the previous episodes but is still very good.
It is agreed that things are diminished slightly by the obvious identity of the killer (though the motive is a shocker), revealed a little too early. Otherwise there is little to criticise, and not everybody is going to find this an issue.
Visually, "Widows and Orphans" looks great, matching the dark, gritty tone of the episode beautifully with atmospheric lighting and the stylish way it's shot. The music is haunting without being over-bearing while the theme tune is one of the most iconic in the detective genre (or at least to me it is).
The script is well written, with a few amusing quips from Frost this time round, and thought-provoking, and the story is continually compelling with tension, grit and shocking twists.
Frost is a remarkably well-established character for so early on, and one cannot help love his interaction with the rest of the officers and his chemistry with Bruce Alexander's stern and by-the-book Mullet, who constantly despairs of Frost's unconventional approach. Frost also deals with the tension between him and Tanner, the prejudicial nature showing both characters being at fault while not making them less likable.
Jason is brilliant as usual as Frost, and everybody else supports him just as well. Christopher Fulford is wholly convincing as someone whose actions are not to be condoned but one feels sorry for him too.
In summary, very good if not as good as previously. 8/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•20
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 19, 2017
Details
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content