The officers of Newton Park return for a ten-part series.
The past catches up with both Jim and Susan.
Singing the Mersey blues again: page 18
[Photo caption] Jonathan Kerrigan, Haydn Gwynne and John McArdle play busy coppers who even catch the occasional criminal
Merseybeat 8.30pm BBC1
"I'm sure you've got better things to do than stand around gossiping," the no-nonsense Superintendent Susan Blake (Haydn Gwynne) tells her staff in the opening episode of this second series. Actually, Susan, that's where you're wrong, because the uniformed personnel of Newton Park police station have absolutely nothing better to do. There is some crime, of course - these are the mean streets of Runcorn, after all - but the officers' futile efforts to investigate it manage not to get in the way of their settling personal scores with each other, and with members of the public.
What a difficult bunch they are, always shouting at one another and berating the men and women they come across in the course of their investigations. Sergeant Connie Harper (Michelle Holmes) is the worst offender, yelling at suspects and snapping at her colleagues. I'd try evening primrose oil if I were you, love.
Anyway, fans of the first series will welcome its return. The new Merseybeat is enlivened by the arrival of two glamorous (naturally) rookie recruits - PC Jackie Brown (Hollyoaks actress Joanna Taylor, who manages to strip down to her bra within five minutes) and PC Jodie Finn (Josephine d'Arby, who used to be called Josie d'Arby when she presented Top of the Pops). The two have a history with each other, which results in a catfight in the station car park.
Elsewhere, poor Susan Blake is as put-upon as ever, and still no one has told her that brown just isn't her colour. But it's good to see that "maverick" PC Steve Traynor (Jonathan Kerrigan) has calmed down since the first series, to the point where he is mature enough to note: "I can't stand around gossiping, there are criminals to catch." You as well, Steve?
Singing the Mersey blues again: page 18
