Can I put my review here?
OK, I'll be honest, I was desperate to like the first series, and I did very much, but I always felt as if I was slightly willing myself to like it. Not so this time.
I absolutely and very genuinely adored it, and Jackson Brodie is just completely and utterly wonderful and infuriating and just makes you want to hug, thump and do ... various other things to him, all at the same time. And it's all thanks to Mr I. It's an incredible performance, and I'm not just saying that because of this forum. Great script, great characters, and he brings Jackson to life so empathetically and effectively. I feel this far more strongly than I did with the first series.
It's a complicated story with lots of interconnected threads (but that's what the stories are about) so you have to concentrate. I will admit to finding the accents a little too thick at times - they were not easy on the ear, let's say, and did require considerable concentration. But at least it'll keep the people who moaned about the lack of Scottish accents last time happy. They can't bloody complain this time! Victoria Wood was fantastic, as was all the cast. There's a great scene with Amanda Abbington at the end which is just heart-breaking and so very real. Oh, Jackson ...
That, I believe will be a refrain heard/said many times. I kept muttering it at the screen - 'Oh, Jackson ...' He does get himself in some right pickles, the silly boy.
Loved, loved, loved it and can't wait for next week.