Third in a series of three DVD releases of the popular PBS Mystery series; including 9 hours of programming. Robbie Coltrane?s outstanding creation of `Fitz? as a criminal psychologist, who battles his own personal proble... more »ms while trying to solve cases of murder. In Cracker: Lucky White Ghost `Fitz' is called upon to solve a serial murder investigation in Hong Kong where local police have no experience with serial killers.« less
"First of all, I want to say straight out that every Cracker episode prior to this one definitely deserves 5 stars. This one, however, is the final compilation (in UK, it's released as series 1 and 2-- not divided into 3 seasons) and, it's a complete let down to the earlier episodes. White Ghost, the finale (not including the 2006 episode that also has nothing to do with earlier episodes)is the poorest conclusion for a character-driven series that I've ever seen.
During the series, we met Fitz, a brash, alcohol-guzzling, chain-smoking psychologist. He is brilliant. He understands everything going on around him and can read a person like a book. Watching him is an experience. The stories are so well-written and the characters so intense, that this entire series (up until what is sold here as the Third Season) is a joy.
But, the third and final season just doesn't tie up any of the loose ends. It gives some suggestion, but nothing really. And, by Fitz' mention of Penhaligan in the last episode here, any question that you might have felt had been answered was obviously incorrect.
In the episode just prior to White Ghost, we find out Penhaligan has given her resignation. We find out how Cracker truly feels about his wife (well, kind of-- as he walks out of the hospital leaving her standing alone). And, that's that.
In the last episode, we never see any closure. And, Fitz calls home, too, and his wife lives there! And, he asks for Penhaligan to be sent to Hong Kong to help with his case, and she can't come. But, that's all. So, we never find out how these three are now interacting with eachother and that's the biggest letdown after all this character buildup from the prior episodes.
The last episode here is a good episode-- but it belonged somewhere in the middle-- it deserved to be a much earlier episode. For those of us who watched these faithfully, I believe this is a letdown.
Obviously, I still recommend watching it if you've watched the other 2 sets. It's acted well, the writing is excellent, and the plots are tight. It's just a let down since we want some relationship closure.
"
Awesome series
Joseph M. Fucci | boston, ma | 04/11/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"To those that have never seen this british crime series I say buy it you won't regret it, I had seen it off and on on PBS for years but this was the first time I came accross the entire collection.Robbie Coltrane ( from Harry Potter Fame) is an outstanding talent in the series and it is done so well, for those that don't know him, he has been a very popular stage and screen actor in Great Britan for years ."
Pity it's the last
Straight-8 | Roseville, CA | 06/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great wind-up to the series. The casting is perfect. As always, the stories are thought-provoking and gritty, but told with humour and compassion. Buy all three series, and watch them in order, or you'll miss the carefully crafted progression through the main characters' lives."
Cracker - The Complete Third Season
D. Murphy | 03/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Love the series bought all three. Couldn't go wrong to purchase the DVD's. Great acting, very well written."
Cracker - the complete third season
Roberta L. Kirk | 03/26/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Excellent service. The items arrived quickly and I totally enjoyed all the episodes. I wish they had more seasons to buy (I've bought all of the cracker seasons I could find on the amazon website, and hated for them to end.)"