The Jonathan Creek Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

After 34 podcasts covering 31 stories we’ve reached the final show. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at some of the overarching themes and messages from Jonathan Creek‘s run, along with their favourite moments, characters and episodes across the entire series.

Jonathan Creek by David Renwick is available on Netflix in the UK and Ireland and the entire series is available on DVD in the UK and other countries, including a comprehensive box set of all the episodes, released by the BBC.

The post Series Review – Episode 35 first appeared on Jonathan Creek Podcast.

Daemon’s Roost was the final episode of Jonathan Creek’s run (so far). A mysterious Gothic mansion conceals a number of disturbing secrets. In this podcast Gerry and Iain wonder how you would casually burn some guy to death with no repercussions.

Mysteries of the distant and recent past, along with present concerns, occupy Jonathan’s attention in the most recent Jonathan Creek special. With assistance from the Rev. Wendell Wilkie (Warwick Davis), Jonathan probes the case of a young woman named Alison Belkin (Georgie Lord) whose mother and sisters died without explanation in a home famed for the unsolved deaths of many men a century earlier. She is newly married to Stephen Belkin (Emun Elliott), who previously made Jonathan’s acquaintance when accused of murdering his first wife, Imelda (Nicole Cooper).

Also on the scene are Mr Ryman (Jason Barnett), a security camera installer; Phillipa Teller (Rosalind March), carer for the proprietor; and the proprietor himself, filmmaker Nathan Clore (Ken Bones). Meanwhile Jonathan is being pursued by Patrick Tyree (Ryan Oliva) – a man he put in jail – with Polly and her friend Nina (Jo Martin) preoccupied by a local scarecrow competition. DS Alben Barkley (Chris Forbes) offers advice at a critical stage.

Daemon’s Roost was written by David Renwick and directed by the returning Sandy Johnson. Rosemary McGowan continued as producer.

Daemon’s Roost was released in 2016. It is 89 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The episode is available on Netflix in the UK and Ireland and the entire series is available on DVD in the UK and other countries, including a comprehensive box set of all the episodes, released by the BBC.

The post Daemon’s Roost – Episode 34 first appeared on Jonathan Creek Podcast.

The Chequered Box was the penultimate episode of Jonathan Creek‘s fourth season. When a top police officer is witnessed at the scene of a gruesome murder, Jonathan and Carla search for an alternative explanation. In this podcast Gerry and Iain ponder the dynamics of mobile toileting.

Inspector Fell (Colin McFarlane) and his colleague Herbie Bryant (Steve Speirs) are hot on the heels of justice after the unexplained death of a bookmaker, with Carla in tow filming a fly-on-the-wall documentary. Fell’s swift thinking impresses Carla as he explains this death effortlessly, but things take a sinister turn when journalist Hattie Baron (Myra McFadyen) witnesses him at the scene of a brutal murder.

The Chequered Box was written by David Renwick and the ubiquitous Sandy Johnson remained in the director’s chair (along with a brief cameo appearance as an A&E doctor). Verity Lambert remained as producer.

The Chequered Box was released in 2004. It is 60 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The episode is available in an edited format on Netflix in the UK and Ireland, and the entire series is available on DVD in the UK and other countries, including a comprehensive box set of all the episodes up until Christmas 2016, released by the BBC.

The post The Chequered Box – Episode 25 first appeared on Jonathan Creek Podcast.

The Seer of the Sands was the fourth episode of Jonathan Creek‘s fourth season. After the death of her partner, an American executive struggles to interpret his messages from beyond the grave. In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at the sound thinking behind sending a fake psychic to help win you major business contracts.

Executive Geraldine Vaccara (Lorelei King) mourns the loss of her skeptic partner Justin Mallory (Gary Cady) in a boating accident while a fraudulent ‘psychic’ (Eve Polycarpou) tries to convince her that messages are being sent from the afterlife. Meanwhile, creepy Ashley (Catherine Cusack) has a dark secret and Phylicia (Nicola Hughes) tries to influence Adam’s workplace practices.

The Seer of the Sands was written by David Renwick and Creek veteran Sandy Johnson returned to the director’s chair. Verity Lambert remained as producer.

The Seer of the Sands was released in 2004. It is 60 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The episode is available in an edited format on Netflix in the UK and Ireland, and the entire series is available on DVD in the UK and other countries, including a comprehensive box set of all the episodes up until Christmas 2016, released by the BBC.

The post The Seer of the Sands – Episode 24 first appeared on Jonathan Creek Podcast.

The Tailor’s Dummy was the third episode of Jonathan Creek‘s fourth season. When the head of a major fashion house appears to commit suicide, Jonathan and Carla must uncover some family tensions to find the truth. In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at creepy hoteliers and the value of a good safety chain.

This episode featured the brilliant Maureen Lipman as Louise Bergman, Nicholas Jones as her vengeful brother Claude and Jill Baker as odious conservative columnist Donna Henry. Bill Bailey reprised his role as Kenny Starkiss, Victoria Shalet played young Carrie Bergman and the victim, Marco Bergman, was briefly portrayed by Jeffrey Segal.

The Tailor’s Dummy was written by David Renwick and Christine Gernon helmed the last of her three Creeks. Verity Lambert remained as producer.

The Tailor’s Dummy was released in 2003. It is 60 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The episode is available in an edited format on Netflix in the UK and Ireland, and the entire series is available on DVD in the UK and other countries, including a comprehensive box set of all the episodes up until Christmas 2016, released by the BBC.

The post The Tailor’s Dummy – Episode 23 first appeared on Jonathan Creek Podcast.

Angel Hair was the second episode of Jonathan Creek‘s fourth season. A famous composer and his pop star wife are shocked by a woman’s ability to re-grow her hair in just 48 hours. In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at the challenges of combining hostage-taking with time travel and what to do with a 12-foot tall ventriloquist’s dummy.

The principal guests in this episode were Jack Dee as love rat Dudley Houseman and Sophie Thompson as his PA, Dorothy. They were supported by Caroline Carver as Dudley’s wife Sally Ellen Oakley, Trevor Peacock as Dudley’s father and dummy-maker Henry Houseman and Tamsin Greig as Pam, a make-up artist and stylist who Jonathan spends some time with during the show. David Renwick makes a cameo appearance during the kidnapping scene.

Angel Hair was written by Renwick and Christine Gernon once more directed, while Verity Lambert remained as producer.

Angel Hair was released in 2003. It is 60 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The episode is available in an edited format on Netflix in the UK and Ireland, and the entire series is available on DVD in the UK and other countries, including a comprehensive box set of all the episodes up until Christmas 2016, released by the BBC.

The post Angel Hair – Episode 22 first appeared on Jonathan Creek Podcast.

The Coonskin Cap was the first episode of Jonathan Creek‘s fourth season. Jonathan and Carla are reacquainted over an apparent serial killer with a flair for the dramatic. In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at deceptive appearances and working with your ex.

The episode re-introduced Julia Sawalah’s Carla Borrego as she and her new husband Brendan Baxter (Adrian Edmondson) work to produce a Crimewatch competitor TV show.

Inspector Ted Parnevik (Terence Hillyer) and his apparent love interest Sergeant Heather Davey (Anna Wilson-Jones) lead the police team trying to snare the perpetrator, while Moira Jane Rowe (Veronica Leer) makes a partial confession. Tina Martin also appears as the tragic Velma, who sadly dies on a night out with Adam Klaus.

The Coonskin Cap was written by the show’s creator, David Renwick. Christine Gernon directed, while Verity Lambert remained as producer.

The Coonskin Cap was released in 2003. It is 60 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The episode is available on Netflix in the UK and Ireland, and the entire series is available on DVD in the UK and other countries, including a comprehensive box set of all the episodes up until Christmas 2016, released by the BBC.

The post The Coonskin Cap – Episode 21 first appeared on Jonathan Creek Podcast.

Satan’s Chimney was the 2001 Christmas Special episode of Jonathan Creek. The special featured a curious vindictive religious zealot and a tragically complicated mother-son relationship. In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at the second half of the episode and a mystery unravelled.

Jonathan and Carla (Julia Sawalha) face up to the death of Alan Kalanak (Jay Benedict) on top of that of Vivian Brodie (Mary Tamm). Meanwhile Tom (Elliot Cowan) comes to terms with his role in Viv’s death and his place in the world.

Director Herman Grole (Steven Berkoff), actors Jodee Tressky (Lisa Stökke) and Bronson Peterman (Matt Rippy) and Raymond (Raymond Griffiths) keep their secrets, while Bill Bailey and James Saxon remain involved as Kenny Starkiss and Inspector Bullstrode respectively.

Satan’s Chimney was again written by the show’s creator, David Renwick. Sandy Johnson made a pleasing return as director while Verity Lambert remained as producer.

Satan’s Chimney was released in 2001. It is 120 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The episode is strangely missing from Netflix in the UK and Ireland, but the entire series is available on DVD in the UK and other countries, including a comprehensive box set of all the episodes up until Christmas 2016, released by the BBC.

The post Satan’s Chimney (2) – Episode 20 first appeared on Jonathan Creek Podcast.

Satan’s Chimney was the 2001 Christmas Special episode of Jonathan Creek. The special featured a mysterious castle and a seemingly-impossible locked room murder. In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at the first half of the episode and some unchivalrous behaviour from Jonathan.

While Jonathan negotiates with Carla Borrego (Julia Sawalha) for extra rehearsal time with her client Alan Kalanak (Jay Benedict), Kalanak’s ex-wife Vivian Brodie (Mary Tamm) struggles with a challenging co-star, Bronson Peterman (Matt Rippy), on the set of her latest movie.

Director Herman Grole (Steven Berkoff), co-star Jodee Tressky (Lisa Stökke) and the mysterious Raymond (Raymond Griffiths) play key roles on-set, while there are also roles for Bill Ward as Vernon Spools; Bill Bailey as the remarkable Kenny Starkiss; and James Saxon as the rotund Inspector Bullstrode. Penny Smith and Sonya Saul cameo-ed as versions of themselves.

Satan’s Chimney was again written by the show’s creator, David Renwick. Sandy Johnson made a pleasing return as director while Verity Lambert remained as producer.

Satan’s Chimney was released in 2001. It is 120 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The episode is strangely missing from Netflix in the UK and Ireland, but the entire series is available on DVD in the UK and other countries, including a comprehensive box set of all the episodes up until Christmas 2016, released by the BBC.

The post Satan’s Chimney (1) – Episode 19 first appeared on Jonathan Creek Podcast.

The Three Gamblers was the final episode of Jonathan Creek’s third season. This episode featured a corpse attempting to escape from a locked room. In this podcast Gerry and Iain take a look at one last adventure for a favourite character.

When nefarious villain Frank Geiger (John Bennett) invites Floyd Goodman (Harry Peacock) and Joe Wheeler (Cliff Barry) for a meeting ahead of a major drugs deal, the last thing he expects is for undercover police officer Karen Blaine (Nina Sosanya) to tag along. Meanwhile, her boss DI Gallo (John Bird) is looking for results.

Hattie Hayridge (Lizzie Gillespie), Cavan Clerkin (Sidney Australia), Lee Ingleby (Derek Spratley) and Jonathan Ross (himself, a cameo) also appeared.

The Three Gamblers was again written by the show’s creator, David Renwick. Richard Holthouse directed the last of his three episodes while Verity Lambert remained as producer.

The Three Gamblers was released in 2000. It is 50 minutes long and originally aired on the BBC. The episode can be viewed on Netflix in the UK and Ireland and the entire series is available on DVD in the UK and other countries, including a comprehensive box set of all the episodes up until Christmas 2016, released by the BBC.

The post The Three Gamblers – Episode 18 first appeared on Jonathan Creek Podcast.