When 'Taggart' was in its prime, so the Taggart era and the earlier Jardine episodes, it was deliberately paced but riveting television. Because the cases had a suspenseful creepiness and the characters and team dynamic are interesting. Although the late Jardine episodes were not as good or as consistent they were still watchable, and although 'Taggart' was always one of my most watched and eagerly anticipated shows throughout the show didn't really feel the same in the Burke era.
"Falling in Love", the penultimate Jardine episode (the last being "Death Trap"), is watchable. Although re-watching all the episodes has been a gradual process, do not remember any of the 'Taggart' episodes being irredeemably bad. Which "Falling in Love" definitely isn't. At the same time the show really isn't at its best here, have seen the episode twice now and both of those times it has struck me as a rather dull and strange episode that really should have been much better. It has moments, but it's consistency that's preferable.
Beginning with what was good about "Falling in Love", it looks great as always. Have always loved the gritty, like-a-character-of-its-own Scottish setting, the moody colour palette that adds to the grit and the slick photography. The music fits well and doesn't intrude or feel dull, while the theme song is not one to forget.
There are thought-provoking moments, the episode did start off well and intriguingly (complete with one of the show's, up to this point, most brutal murders) and the acting is fine. James MacPherson and Blythe Duff never put a foot wrong and love their chemistry. Have always loved the team dynamic in prime-'Taggart' and Robert Robertson makes a memorable last appearance here. He constantly stole his scenes and he does here, including a lovely moment with Duff (as mentioned previously). Jackie's subplot is handled quite relatably.
Did think that it could have featured less in the episode though, while character development within the team is always nice it distracts from the case a little. It's not just Jackie's subplot though, Jardine also has one and it's not a particularly interesting one to me. As said, "Falling in Love" did start off well but the case did lack suspense and surprises (the only major one being with the false identities, which is not exactly innovative territory) in my view and became duller and stranger as it went on.
Found myself not being particularly surprised by the final solution, which had become on the obvious side too early, and had become indifferent by that point to be honest. When it came to the supporting characters, the most interesting and most developed one was the first murder victim and all of it was from what we and the team learned about him. Otherwise, there was not enough to most of them to make one care for them.
In conclusion, watchable enough but didn't do much for me, and this is being said with sincere regret. 5/10