Review of Taggart (Vol. 37): Ghost Rider

Introduction

When James Dillon is sent down for a murder he didn`t commit he vows to kill the people who put him there. Fifteen years later and DCI Blair McDonald`s unrecognisably burnt body is found and it looks like Dillon has claimed his first victim but where is he?

It is up to Jardine and Reid with the help of Ross and Fraser to find out the real truth. Unfortunately it seems their fellow officers at Burnside nick are less keen to get to the bottom of the death of the apparently much respected police officer.

Once again there is good solid support from the guest stars and the team behave as if they really do solve crimes together.

Video

This is standard stuff from Clearvision. Shot for television it is a good quality transfer.

Audio

Produced in Dolby Digital the soundtrack is OK with clear dialogue. The accents only requiring subtitles occasionally if you are not concentrating.

Features

Just chapter selection and access to cast and credits section

Conclusion

As a follower of Taggart since it actually had Jim Taggart in the cast I`ve always found the episodes good value. The police have changed a little. They`ve lost the `Sweeneyish` antics of the 1970s and we are offered a little more of their private lives. They retain a sense of trying to do the right thing often despite the public and sometimes despite other police officers. I have no idea how realistic or otherwise Taggart is but it has always been one of my favourite police stories.

This particular tale offers the requisite body count and twists in the tales that are all right on first viewing but like many similar programmes has a holes in the plot you only notice the second time round.

A good buy in the bargain bin but with regular repeats on the `Gold` channels not on many `must buy` lists.