AG Storey

Before the start of the 'Vera' tv series, I read, and enjoyed, Ann Cleeves books. I pictured 'Vera' as a cross between Peggy Mount and Ena Sharples - a big, somewhat fearsome woman - remember at the time, there were minimum height restrictions in place 5'4" for a woman). Then along come the tv series, and Brenda Bethlyn (all 5'1" of her). She may be well-known actress, but, for me, she has never properly developed the role of 'Vera' - the forced Geordie accent was always grating, and the continuous use of 'love' and 'pet', which only the main character uses, is both galling and gratuitous. 'Vera' is now a one-woman show - she has to be the centre of attention. DCI's are not intended to be 'crime fighters' - they are administrators and political lackeys for senior officers. The main 'boiler-room' for CID, are the Detective Sergeants, ably led by Detective Inspectors. In 'Vera', there are no DI's, and the role of the DS(s) is pretty woeful - Vera cannot be outshone. This is also demonstrated that at no time does Vera appear to have 'superior officers', 'Superintendents, Chief Superintendents, ACC, Chief Constables, etc., all of whom would otherwise keep Vera office-bound. Instead, she is allowed to demonstrate that she is, indeed, a one-woman police force, guessing as to whom might the culprit, and finally finding the villain through circumstance, rather than effective police work. Her support team are deemed superfluous. Vera has long-since passed its 'best buy' date.- time to give it a rest!