The Commander: Set 2

Lynda La Plante, best known as the creator of Prime Suspect, is also responsible for this British series (which ran from 2003-08) about another strong-willed female cop, Commander Clare Blake (Amanda Burton). In this second set of four telefilms, Blake transfers from an administrative post with New Scotland Yard's Murder Review Team to an investigative position with the Homicide and Serious Crime Division despite the fact that—in some respects—the move is a demotion. In her new capacity, ambitious and determined Blake takes on a quartet of puzzling cases in multipart stories. “The Devil You Know” involves the discovery of a long-dead child's corpse in a deserted hospital, which ultimately leads Blake to the mentally disturbed son of a dysfunctional family and a ring of drug dealers. “Windows of the Soul” begins with the brutal murder of a socially active priest and eventually gravitates into the world of lower-class boxing clubs. “Abduction” focuses on a death and a kidnapping in which members of Blake's own squad may be directly implicated. Although these three are intense, complicated mysteries, the fourth entry, “The Fraudster”—about the killing of a conniving, womanizing money manager—winds up being more lighthearted. Burton is suitably imposing in the title role—with just a touch of insecurity—and she's nicely partnered with the considerably earthier Mark Lewis Jones as her second-in-command. DVD extras include a text intro by La Plante, and text bios. Recommended. (F. Swietek)