Kavanagh QC (TV Series) The More Loving One (1999) User Reviews

Very well constructed

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 16 April 2010]

This episode had a lot to live up to after the outstanding Previous Convictions, and while it isn't quite as good, it is very well constructed, with a good story and writing and very good acting. The music is beautiful as always, the direction is good and the production values while darker here are excellent. Acting wise, I really liked Geraldine James, Robert Lang and Hugh Dancy, but John Thaw once again gave the best performance as his character differs whether he should tell the courts that the victim was pregnant.

Overall, a well constructed episode, with almost all of the essential elements combining as one to make the episode worth watching. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The More Loving One

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 22 August 2023]

Written by Peter Moffat, this was his sole contribution for Kavanagh QC. He would go on to create legal shows or crime thrillers such as Your Honor, The Night of, North Square, Silk, Criminal Justice.

It begins with two teenagers in love who have come to London. Having runaway from their small sleepy town.

Fast forward a few years. The girl Annie Fiske is a junkie, trying to stay clean on Methadone. Her boyfriend Michael Woodley is doing her best to keep her clean. A new life in London has turned sour. They live in a crummy house where they basically squat, unable to pay the rent.

When the house explodes killing Annie, a shocked Michael blames himself and tells everybody that he killed her.

It is left to Kavanagh to sabe him from a life sentence. Unfortunately Michael is extremely uncooperative. Kavanagh hopes to blame the landlord as the gas fire was faulty.

A dark episode and an engrossing one, it does not quiet go where you think it. Why is Micheal determined to take the blame.?

Moffat has added some layers to the main story. Like Kavanagh coming against a prosecuting counsel who has always beaten him.

Jeremy Aldermarten QC gets an almost lighthearted story. He has to come to the rescue of a dangerous dog marked to be put down. He needs to demonstrate to the court that it is not a pitbull.

I did not recognise Hugh Dancy who plays Michael Woodley.

Guest starring Hugh Dancy

[safenoe · 8/10 · 6 December 2023]

It's funny because I've just started watching the Law and Order revival which stars British actor Hugh Dancy, and here is Hugh himself as a very young actor in The More Loving One where he plays Michael Woodley who is accused of murder. Anyway, Hugh has made it big over the years.

Kika Markham and Corin Redgrave, who play Michael Woodley's parents were in real life married from 1985 until his death in 2010.

Annabel Mullion makes the first of two appearances as barrister Martha Miller. It's a shame she didn't make more appearances. Anyway, it's a shame Valerie Edmond (who played barrister Emma Taylor) ceased to appear after season four as her character was a good counterbalance to Kavanagh.