‘The Brokenwood Mysteries’ Recap: ‘The Garotte and the Vinklebraun’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Seven Premiere of ‘The Brokenwood Mysteries’.
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It is definitely safe to say that crime stories and shows and movies are supremely bleak and grim in this day and age, and it is understandable as to why. After all, crime is no joke, and when one is committed, it has a profound impact upon the victims of said crime, and that particular understanding has motivated the entertainment industry to take crime seriously and portray it in a realistic light. Which is a decision that has outright changed the landscape of television related crime shows for certain, since there was a time when shows in this vein, featured a more whimsical and lighthearted feel, and an in-depth investigation into the crime in question, in order to make the subject matter a little more palatable for the audience.

But believe it or not, there are still some creative minds out there that love and adore that golden age of the crime show. For there really was something quite compelling about being introduced to a seemingly everyday detective, that was smarter than expected and used snark and humor and comedic situations to their advantage to solve an intricate case. And those very minds are so enamored with that type of character and story, that they are eager to try and recreate that magic, and one such series that has been been successful in that endeavor, is the AcornTV series; The Brokenwood Mysteries. For this particular series, set in New Zealand, truly feels like the crime shows of old through and through and for proof as to how well this series has managed to recreate the wonder of the past... then look no further than its series seven premiere.

For ‘The Garotte and the Vinklebraun’ not only does a fine job of reintroducing us to the quirks and the wonder of Detective Inspector Mike Shepard’s team, but it wastes no time in providing us with quite the old-school, powerhouse mystery for the team to deal with. For this time around, the team is forced to figure out how the famous host of a popular antique show, managed to die inside a garotte with seemingly no forced entry in his hotel room, and well, that leads to one grand investigation. One that forces Mike and his squad to put a proverbial magnifying glass over a bevy of quirky and dynamic characters. Such as the aforementioned host’s co-workers, one hopeful and lonely repairman and an English Lord/Duke who was hoping to get his beautiful Vinklebraun painting appraised on that very show and their introduction and the subsequent investigation into their involvement, truly immerses the viewer in this world and this case.

Because the show really does a phenomenal job of taking its time to explore the lives of these characters and what could potentially motivate them to kill a man in such a brutal fashion. And their likes and dislikes of the late host, and their involvement in this case in general, is what brings about that lighthearted and whimsical and feel. For some of these characters are bumbling and goofy, and their attempts to stay out of the case or prove their innocence in the matter, puts a smile on your face. While others simply draw you into the story further, since clearly, they know more than they are leading on, and you’re eager to learn exactly what they know, and really all of these elements make this premiere quite the delightful watch, one that pays off for certain when the killer is finally revealed. As to the true identity of who that is and why they committed this heinous crime, well we won’t reveal that here. Simply because it is best you experience that reveal and everything leading up to it, firsthand.
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For this is a genuinely engrossing mystery, one that really does suck you in. Thanks in large part to the fact that it features some wonderfully earnest performances, the kind that sell this mystery through and through. Plus, the clues of the case help to draw you in, since they are intricate in nature, to the point where you are dying to know more about where they will lead you. But above all else, this opening chapter to series seven, is just plain entertaining. Because you're never bored, you're constantly curious and what matters most... is that it really does re-create that old-school feel. Which makes this series a delightful modern hybrid of old and new and well, that makes the possibilities endless for series seven and that revelation leaves the viewer hungry for more. To the point where we will all be counting down the minutes to next week's tale, to see what kind of wild mystery awaits Shepard and his crack team of investigators. Until next time.

'The Brokenwood Mysteries' is streaming now on AcornTV.

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