A Touch of Frost (TV Series) If Dogs Run Free: Part 1 (2010) User Reviews

The beginning of the end

[jamiecostelo58 · 8/10 · 14 April 2010]

If Dogs Run Free sees Frost having difficulty in trying to convict criminal Gerry Berland, who masquerades in drugs and illegal dog fighting. Berland's son believes a former friend of his was responsible for tipping off the police in the first place and takes matters into his own hands. However, he doesn't take into account that there is a witness to his crime. There is also the case of unsolved crimes coming back to haunt Frost, which he soon realises is putting his life at risk.

Of course there was much hype surrounding this two-part edition of A Touch of Frost, as we all know that it was finally coming to an end after nearly 18 years. David Jason, at age 70, had to come to the conclusion that this excellent series could not go on forever, and that his advancing years was becoming a major concern. Nevertheless, Part 1 of If Dogs Run Free certainly keeps the twists and turns and strong acting usually associated with the show, and should not disappoint viewers.

The end of 'Frost': Part 1

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 7 July 2017]

As has been said by me numerous times already, 'A Touch of Frost' is a personal favourite of mine, and one of my favourite shows from the detective/mystery genre. Do have a preference perhaps for the earlier-mid-show episodes over the later ones, but none of the episodes are less than watchable and none do anything to embarrass the show.

So much appeals about 'A Touch of Frost'. Love the mix of comedy (mostly through Frost's snide comments and quips) and dark grit, the tension between rebellious Jack Frost and by-the-book Mullet which has led to some humorous moments, how he interacts with the rest of the staff, the deft mix of one or two cases and Frost's personal life, how Frost solves the cases, the production values, music and of course David Jason in one of his best roles.

There may have been people initially sceptical about whether the show would work, and with Jason (a mainly comedic actor) in a departure from usual in the lead role. Scepticism very quickly evaporated, the first six seasons were top notch with a few not-quite-outstanding-but-still-very-good episodes but most of them being near-perfect to masterpiece. Was not sure initially as to whether the Seasons 7-9 two parters would work, having seen two parters not quite work with 'Lewis' for example, but all three worked brilliantly.

Most of Season 10 was of a very high standard, "Held in Trust" was my personal favourite of the episodes but Jim Sturgess' performance in "Close Encounters" is one of the show's best supporting turns. Was a little let down however by "Hidden Truth", which was still decent and much better than a lot of weaker episodes from other shows but considering the high quality of Seasons 1-9 decent didn't seem quite enough. "Another Life" and "Dancing in the Dark" were very good episodes for Season 11, though neither high points. "Near Death Experience" was one of my favourite latter season episodes, while the next episode "Endangered Species", while a long way from bad (pretty decent still) is one of my least favourites of the series.

"Mind Games" was a great return for 'A Touch of Frost' after a two year absence, while "Dead End" while still decent was a disappointment and one of my least favourite episodes overall. As far as Season 14 episodes go, "In the Public Interest" is not as good as "Mind Games" but is superior to "Dead End".

Season 15 was the last, after David Jason decided to retire the role, and is comprised of one two parter. And it's a two parter that starts very strongly in Part 1, though the two parter overall is not quite as good as the previous three two parters from Seasons 7-9.

Production values still look great. It matches the dark, gritty tone of the episode beautifully with atmospheric lighting and the stylish way it's shot. The music is haunting without being over-bearing, the theme tune still iconic.

Good deal of the script is taut and thought-provoking, with a few amusing moments but a good deal of gritty ones. The story is absorbing, with a good deal of tension and suspense, especially the pretty nail-biting cliff-hanger ending.

Frost is remarkably well established as a character, with his faults but also good qualities. Can't fault Jason as Frost, he is simply brilliant in the role as always with not one foot put wrong. All the supporting cast are on point with not a weak link, with Bruce Alexander and John Lyons being as ever sturdy regular support and Phyllis Logan and Adrian Dunbar faring best of the guest turns.

In summary, great start to the final 'Frost' episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Part One of a Worthy Conclusion

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 4 October 2015]

There are two stories working here. Someone on a mountain bike uses a crow bar to assault people as they pass through an underpass. The second, and the more extensive story, has to do with a hoodlum who runs a dogfighting ring. When Frost investigates, they arrest everyone and free the dogs. However, the mastermind isn't there. He has a way of getting away with things. He is, at best, a disgusting creature. He has involved his son in his activities and mentions that a young man may have blown the whistle on their activities. The son and a friend decide to beat this kid up, but end up stabbing him to death. The father, an intimidating figure, begins a process of intimidation to get his son and the friend freed. A woman at the RSPCA becomes friendly with Frost after she ID's the two kids in a lineup. She and Jack then become targets of the bad guy and his henchman. Her dog shelter is set on fire and she is nearly killed. This episode sets things up nicely. We are privy to the horrible guilt of the young men who dare not tell their story because their prospects would be ruined.

Part 1 of the end

[safenoe · 10/10 · 10 June 2023]

I'm finally catching up in the finale of A Touch of Frost, and it doesn't let us down. I sometimes think two parts isn't enough, as really three parts would have done justice to Frost.

Anyway, here Frost falls in love with RSPCA officer Christine Moorhead and you can see Frost is ready to settle down with her. Adrian Dunbar, just a couple of years before his career exploded in The Line of Duty, plays a gangster (high class, big house by British standards) who thinks he can get what he wants.

George Costigan plays the malevolent ex-husband of Christine, and I kind of cringed when there's a scene (in part one or two I'm not sure) where the ex-husband is driving a car with his on-screen teenage daughter sitting next to him. It was hard not to be reminded of the infamous scene in Rita, Sue and Bob Too where George plays the philandering Bob who cunningly drives two teenage girls for big-time fornication.

A poor swan song.

[iris-45156 · 5/10 · 7 December 2021]

The ancillary story line is ludicrous and unnecessary. In a departure from the usual formula, Frost's relationship with his boss is chummy not adversarial. He has time and inclination to form a relationship with a lady and heads to the altar without messing things up. This is a time consuming side issue which adds too much to the running time. As does the tedious interactions with Trigg and his computer assistant who turned out to be the offender, duh! The only witness to a stabbing by the son of a notorious criminal is not given total protection even after he confronts her. Even with her witness statement both offenders are given bail. The death of Toolan at the end is unnecessary and jarring. David Jason is ill at ease as if the fact this is his last time as Frost is weighing on his mind. His constant emphasis on his words is annoying and bordering on overacting. He has always done this but in this episode it is more noticeable. Sad that such a great series should bow out with such a whimper.