Wednesday, November 5, 2014

DVD Review: Lovejoy Series 3





The James Bond of antiques dealers” (The New York Times) returns in the cult-favorite British mystery series, Lovejoy, Series 3, arriving on DVD on October 28, 2014 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Ian McShane stars as Lovejoy, a rascal of an antiques dealer with a heart of gold. McShane is joined by Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey) and an outstanding slate of guest stars in this lighthearted whodunit including Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous), Burt Kwuok (Last of the Summer Wine), Michael Kitchen (Foyle’s War), Michelle Fairely (Game of Thrones), Chris Jury (The Big Game) and Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting). Based on the popular books by Jonathan Gash, Lovejoy aired for six series (1986, 1991-1994). Series three was originally broadcast on BBC1 (1992) and on A&E in the U.S. This DVD 4-disc set includes 13 episodes ($49.99, AcornOnline.com). Series 1, 2 and 3 are also available to stream on Acorn TV, the premier British TV streaming service in North America at www.Acorn.TV.


Series three finds Lovejoy’s personal and professional worlds colliding like never before. Hoping to achieve solid financial footing at last, he trusts Eric (Chris Jury) with legitimizing their business, a leap of faith that involves a risky motorbike-selling scheme and an ER visit. Meanwhile, the normally astute appraiser has a difficult time focusing on forged paintings when his wandering eye lands on a mysterious and alluring widow (Joanna Lumley). But the greatest romance of Lovejoy’s life has always been with Lady Jane Felsham (Phyllis Logan)—if only she, too, could see it that way.



Street Date: October 28, 2014                                 SRP: $49.99  

DVD 4-Disc Set: 13 episodes – Approx. 693 min. – SDH Subtitles

UPC 0-54961-2261-9-1                                              ISBN 978-1-62172-261-8

Contains mild language and brief nudity


My Thoughts 

 Lovejoy mixes the world of antiques with the world of crime and this man can spot a shady criminal as easily as he can spot a forgery. He might be a little bit of a rogue, but he also has a good heart. Series 3 includes 13 exciting episodes.

Episode 1, "Friends in High Places" - Lovejoy returns from Spain just in time to sell a ring for an old woman which leads to a series of strange events.

Episode 2, "Out to Lunch" - Lovejoy thinks he gets a good deal on some paintings, but they turn out to be fake.

Episode 3, "No Strings" - Lady Jane hosts a rock band for Tinker while Lovejoy is away and it leads to more drama than she expected.

Episode 4, "Angel Trousers" - After getting dragged along to a burial at sea, Lovejoy is asked to help sell some medals which leads to some trouble.

Episode 5, "Benin Bronze" - Lovejoy goes along with a rich Australian looking to buy antiques and stumbles across a judge's wife who is trying to sell a rare spoon to satisfy blackmailers.

Episode 6, "Eric of Arabia" - Lovejoy is pricing a terra cotta pig and Eric is trying to sell a motorcycle he claims once belonged to Eric of Arabia. 

Episode 7, “Scotch on the Rocks” - Lovejoy's daughter stumbles across an antique store. He's offered a great price but the buyer seems shady. 

Episode 8, “Loveknots” - Jane and Alexander fight over selling an antique rug. At the auction another rug is stolen.  

Episode 9, “Smoke Your Nose” - A reverend offers Lovejoy a priceless bowl, but he's not sure he can handle the price tag. 

Episode 10, “Kids” - Lovejoy misses a big auction to go look for his daughter. He also finds there are a lot of counterfeit paintings going around.

Episode 11, “Members Only”- Lovejoy is asked to value a silver trophy and discovers it's a fake. But the real one might be in his attic.

Episode 12 & 13, “Highland Fling, Part One & Two”-  Lovejoy and Jane head to Scotland to help out one of Jane's friend and it looks like they might finally take their relationship to the next level.

 This was such a great series. It has all the mystery without a lot of forensics, making it a fun and entertaining watch. You can order Lovejoy Series 3 on DVD for only $49.99 at Acorn Media or on Amazon.



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