My Life is Murder (Season 2)
Jun. 7th, 2024 07:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meteordustMy review of Season 1.
So, you know how I was wondering, why they moved the setting of the show from Melbourne to Auckland, from Season 2 onwards?
I had a look at the production year on the back of the DVD. 2021. Oh. Oh.
Except that, actually, it turns out my assumptions were completely wrong! The move wasn't because of the pandemic. According to the producer: "It was Lucy's idea really. The Australian show wasn't planned to return, and she was living back in Auckland, so the idea of a Kiwi spinoff was born."
Anyway. The show looks to have made the transition very smoothly. The story reason is that Alexa has moved back to New Zealand to spend as much time as she can with her brother Will (played by Martin Henderson). This means that we farewell two old characters and meet two new ones: the police contact who gives her cases (now DI Harry Henare, played by Rawiri Jobe), and the cafe owner who buys her bread (now Reuben Wulf, played by Joe Naufahu).
They even recast the cat! (Though we learn, through a guest appearance via Zoom, that DI Kieran Hussey has adopted the old cat, who his kids love.)
But I am extremely delighted that Madison made it across the Tasman Sea. The story reason for her move is that Alexa messages her for tech help on a case, and instead of sending an email, Madison shows up on her doorstep with all her luggage. Even though I started watching the show because of Lucy Lawless, her rapport with Ebony Vagulans has become a real drawcard. Sometimes there's more snark than banter, with Alexa's cranky and sarcastic side coming to the fore. But most of the time, they make a great team.
This season, we get more backstory for both Alexa and Madison, the murder mysteries are pretty solid, and there are lots of loving shots of Auckland landmarks and scenery. (One of the highlights was an episode at the beautiful Auckland War Memorial Museum.) Notable guest stars include William Shatner (appearing via Zoom) and Renee O'Connor (a lovely reunion for Xena fans).
The DVD cover has a New York Times quote calling it "a sunny procedural", and that describes the vibe pretty well. (Despite all the murders.)
So, you know how I was wondering, why they moved the setting of the show from Melbourne to Auckland, from Season 2 onwards?
I had a look at the production year on the back of the DVD. 2021. Oh. Oh.
Except that, actually, it turns out my assumptions were completely wrong! The move wasn't because of the pandemic. According to the producer: "It was Lucy's idea really. The Australian show wasn't planned to return, and she was living back in Auckland, so the idea of a Kiwi spinoff was born."
Anyway. The show looks to have made the transition very smoothly. The story reason is that Alexa has moved back to New Zealand to spend as much time as she can with her brother Will (played by Martin Henderson). This means that we farewell two old characters and meet two new ones: the police contact who gives her cases (now DI Harry Henare, played by Rawiri Jobe), and the cafe owner who buys her bread (now Reuben Wulf, played by Joe Naufahu).
They even recast the cat! (Though we learn, through a guest appearance via Zoom, that DI Kieran Hussey has adopted the old cat, who his kids love.)
But I am extremely delighted that Madison made it across the Tasman Sea. The story reason for her move is that Alexa messages her for tech help on a case, and instead of sending an email, Madison shows up on her doorstep with all her luggage. Even though I started watching the show because of Lucy Lawless, her rapport with Ebony Vagulans has become a real drawcard. Sometimes there's more snark than banter, with Alexa's cranky and sarcastic side coming to the fore. But most of the time, they make a great team.
This season, we get more backstory for both Alexa and Madison, the murder mysteries are pretty solid, and there are lots of loving shots of Auckland landmarks and scenery. (One of the highlights was an episode at the beautiful Auckland War Memorial Museum.) Notable guest stars include William Shatner (appearing via Zoom) and Renee O'Connor (a lovely reunion for Xena fans).
The DVD cover has a New York Times quote calling it "a sunny procedural", and that describes the vibe pretty well. (Despite all the murders.)
