Luther 3
J**.
Mixed Bag
I LOVE this show. But the second and third seasons were appreciably shorter than the first. And the shorter the seasons, the more the writers seemed inclined to pack into each episode. The more overpacked the episodes, the sloppier, the less appealing, and the less engrossing the show became.This last four episode season was absurdly overpacked. This meant summary character development. This meant borderline implausible twists. This meant that the detective work dedicated to capturing the killer suffered. [In fact, there was really little to no actual detective work applied to home-in on the vigilante.] The first season was packed with great and telling flashes of John Luther's personal life -- those flashes raised the stakes when the personal and professional overlapped. Here, Mary -- the entire sum of Luther's personal life this season -- was nothing more than a throw-in. We knew next to nothing about her, beyond the fact that Mary was cute, smart, had a job, and was smitten with Luther. If we had been able to see more of her, then maybe we would have cared more when Mary ended up in trouble. But I admit I am most displeased with the Ripley arc. I thought he grew over the second season and was becoming a great show focus in his own right. But he was utterly wasted in the third season. [The very idea that those other two cops could so easily put him in any kind of bind reduced Ripley's character to a mere cipher.]And Alice Morgan. [Sigh.] I really wish they had done better by her incredible character than use her as a deux ex machina in the very last act. I would have liked to see a return to the jousting between Alice and John that made Season 1 so intriguing. Instead, Alice just happens to creep in just when she's needed. And when she arrives, Alice -- with little digging -- simply lays bare all her motivations. Which was entirely out of character, but necessary as they waited until the eleventh hour to re-introduce her. Ugh.I still LOVE this show. [Double sigh.] Hat's off to Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson. They are beyond fantastic. If there is ever another season, then please let there be: (1) a reasonable number of episodes to allow developed content; and (b) a lot more of Luther (his struggles of conscience, the emotional impacts his job had on himself, his friends, and his loved ones) and Morgan (the cold observer, the careful catalyst, the lever against John's fulcrum) in each and every episode.
J**C
DOING THE WRONG THING FOR THE RIGHT REASONS
Idris Elba is a powerhouse of an actor with his deep voice and imposing size yet as DCI John Luther we find a mix of gentleness and toughness. Season 3 of LUTHER brings the series to a close and the best of the previous two seasons are combined with new characters and stories to make the final episode shocking and satisfying.John Luther has a new assortment of serial killers and criminals to fight in Season 3. Somehow Luther always gets his man or woman--whatever the case may be. Luther has a new love interest Mary Day played by the lovely Sienna Guillory. We see his softer, gentler side just as his world is crashing down. Nemesis DCI Erin Gray teams up with an unsavory former detective George Stark (David O'Hara) to bring Luther down by charging him with murder. It seems like everyone close to Luther ends up murdered. Is it murder by association or is Luther scheming to destroy everyone around him.Luther's methods are unconventional and it is here that he often does the wrong thing for the right reasons and he tries to solve crimes. The moral dilemma becomes clear when he butts heads with a vigilante killer out for justice - his way. The line between right and wrong become blurred and everyone around Luther is in jeopardy.The last episode has some shocking surprises. Delightful Ruth Wilson returns and the mysterious and murderous Alice Morgan. It's clear all the actors in LUTHER are phenomenally talented and the casting director assembled a dream cast of talented actors. LUTHER 3 will keep you riveted with anticipation as to what is to come next. The only disappointment is this is the last season of LUTHER. We want more!
A**R
Another very fine season
What a treat to have another great season of "Luther". Season Three (3) of this superbly directed, acted and written British detective series is so very good that I just loved it. I adored Seasons One (1) and two (2) so very much never expecting a Season Three (3) BUT here it is and it's sublime. Of course, this season is very well written with great British murder/mysteries for the very intense and wonderful British detective Luther to "get to the bottom of". Idris Elba as "hunky" detective John Luther is simply brilliant being so very tough but so very vulnerable and having a very "good" heart--I admired him so much in Season Three (3) and I am so very glad that Mr. Elba is receiving the recognition he so richly deserves--I am a great fan of his. Elba brings superb acting to his role of Luther (as previously) in Season Three (3)--my god, he's so very good! YES, Luther's nemesis Alice (fabulously and frightenly acted by Ruth Wilson) is back with her crazy self to torture Luther--the scenes between Alice and Luther set the screen on fire. As a previous reviewer so succinctly phrased it: Ruth Wilson, as Alice, certainly "nails" it. She makes a "breathtaking" entrance and begins to dominate the screen and proceedings from that point on--Brava!!!In Season Three (3), Luther not only has crimes to deal with but has "Internal " tensions/investigations to deal with along with those intent on "getting him". As is obvious, I adored Season Three (3) and hope for more seasons(I must give special mention that the direction of these episodes in Season 3 is outstanding. There are scenes that "scared the pants" off me!!)
M**M
The mean streets of London
DCI John Luther hunts a serial killer hunting women and a vigilante who is killing criminals while he himself is being investigated by Internal Affairs. Picking up from where series 2 left off, this is the darkest, grittiest and bravest drama that the BBC have ever had the guts to make. All the regulars are back with Idris Elba outstanding in the lead as Luther giving his best performance since American crime drama The Wire. Only 4 episodes so feeling more like a mini series, this is one of the all time great British cop shows and it even gives the best American crime dramas a good run for its money disproving the tired and lazy excuse that British TV doesn't have the budget to match American TV. It all leads to a gripping climax at the end of episode 4 which sees the return of female psychopath and femme fatale Alice, who helps and has an obsession with Luther and the feeling seems at times to be very mutual.
S**M
Love Idris Elba!
Stumbled across Luther on Netflix and fell in love with it. Only series 1 and 2 was available to stream, hence why I purchased this. Sad to watch the last ever Luther but it was a brilliant series and loved the fact Alice Morgan is back,. Heres hoping they hurry up and film the movie version soon!
S**R
Who doesn't love Luther?
My only wish was that there was more episodes, and that it return to screen. A great series and for anyone that likes a bit of a crime thriller, with a bit of psychological twists thrown in. Buy it - it's worth the keeping for those days where you just want to sit on the sofa and do nothing!
J**E
Great tv
I think out of the 3 series this was my favourite. It was even darker. Luther and Alice well a pair well suited. Sorry about Ripley though. Worth watching just for the lovely Idris Elba who plays Luther brilliantly. I need more!
H**M
Best detective drama in years
Outstanding third series, even better than the first two, that were gripping. Brilliantly written, with twists & turns, and superb actors. In particular, Idris Elba is amazing. Bring on the next series!
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