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Reviews
Prediction Murder (2020)
Proof Positive
"...when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth..." - Sherlock Holmes, The Sign of The Four, Chapter 6
Like Conan Doyle's classic literary detective, Jake and Ruby must undertake the exacting tasks of following up clues - received anonymously this time, sifting information, applying hard evidence e.g. in this case forensic data*, log entries, CCTV footage, and pinpointing and evaluating suspects in order to home in on the truth. *For example, Jake shrewdly remarks about the inoperable state of the murder weapon, which gives the admirable new character of Dakota the opportunity to explain the necessary laboratory procedures to follow and confirm for Jake that the new member of staff knows what she's doing - Jake takes nothing for granted - as well as enlightening both Ruby and the viewer. The challenges are as always to distinguish truth from error, the relevant from the irrelevant and the substantial from the circumstantial and to identify where means, motive and opportunity line up versus where they don't. The end result is surprising, given the direct and brutal nature of the homicide but it fits with the killer's overarching aim of revenge. It is interesting that apparently minor occurrences like the format of writing the date and the accidental activation of a PA system have a major influence on trapping the villain, Ruby adroitly, surreptitiously and shrewdly employing the PA system in the denouement to eliminate any possibility of the suspect appealing to a her-word-against-mine defense in a court of law. It's good the way that Ruby elicits guidance from her dad on the case and of course on the reappearance of her ex. She needed a lot of moral courage to call off her wedding on the very day but that's another of Ruby's character traits. She doesn't go along with keeping up appearances, as with our unofficial family motto: non configurati confirmemus - don't conform confirm. Dakota really gives Ruby the confirmation that she needs about Jake and herself when Dakota says, "You will be i.e. a definite couple. I have a sixth sense about these things." Further confirmation follows, again with apparently minor occurrences, but definitely when Jake declares to Ruby, "You deserve the best." She knows that she would only ever be second best with her ex, his career inevitably always coming first. St Paul tells us in his First Letter to the Thessalonian Church to prove all things, hold fast that which is good. Ruby has done that with respect to Jake versus her ex. The bizarre part of RHM3 is Ruby's brief and unsettling encounter with what is undoubtedly a familiar spirit. They do exist. It is clear that accurate disclosures are made to Ruby about her state of mind that could not have been gleaned by a stranger from any conventional source e.g. the web. Ruby, a pure and ultra-highly principled young woman understandably fled the scene. It would therefore be interesting if David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson could reprise their X-Files roles for guest appearances in RHM4+ to explain the situation. I give RHM3 9/10 which is a bit severe but I suggest that on departing the police interview, one hard-bitten suspect could have said to Jake, "One last thing, Detective, and this is man-to-man. Speaking of pretty pearls, hang on to that Ruby Red. She's one in a million." Jake would wholeheartedly agree.
Her Last Breath (2019)
Dogged Determination
"When those fellows get started, all hell can't stop them" - Union corps commander General Gordon Granger during the Battle of Missionary Ridge November 25 1863 when the Union Army of the Cumberland advanced up the ridge without orders, drove off the Confederate defenders and raised the siege of Chattanooga.
General Granger's remark applies perfectly to Ruby's relentless and astutely resourceful determination to see the mystery through to a successful conclusion with the identification and arrest of the criminal. Her overriding concern is, as is Jake's, to bring closure and comfort to those most deeply affected by the crime. "I want the same thing you do," she declares to Jake. That priority undergirds the burgeoning relationship between Jake and herself that won't be deterred by negative criticism, ponderous officialdom and false trails from leads that don't pan out. Ruby therefore comes across as the most compassionate of Hallmark Mysteries' quiet heroines. She doggedly follows up leads, enlists professional help as necessary, stoically absorbs rebuffs* and carries on regardless, totally unafraid to speak her mind. "The system stinks," she roundly rebukes Jake at one point. *Travesty Tru is an exception but that's for the next review. Ruby wouldn't back down even from Lynn Smith, which is saying something. This episode is further compelling in bringing to the fore more of Jake's and Ruby's personal lives and in scripting the character of Kate Billings. Kate is lithe, beautiful, highly intelligent and thoroughly resilient both in having to bear a shed-load of grief and in not holding a grudge even though deeply wronged by one of her nearest and dearest whom she tried to help. It would be great to see Kate reappear in RHM4+ paired, say, with Jake's rangy lookalike BFF Killian cousin of about the same age, let's call him Scott, ex-US Army Engineer with service in Helmand, having worked on the Alaska pipeline and now back in Seattle as a city engineer. Scott's reaction on learning of Jake's friendship with Ruby would no doubt be "Ruby Herring!? That out-of-this-world red-haired cutey cup-cake from Channel 57 News! Way to go, Cuz!" Ruby would be red-faced as well as red-haired at that evaluation, manifesting genuine humility as she does throughout the series. I award 9/10 for the episode because Kate should have been visible at the final function.
Silent Witness (2019)
That Withering Look
DD724 USS Laffey limped into Seattle, Washington on May 24 1945 for repairs at the Todd Shipyard after sustaining heavy damage in the battle for Okinawa during which she served as one of the gallant radar pickets against the kamikazes, when a third of her crew became casualties. She became known as The Ship That Would Not Die. Fast forward almost three-quarters of a century. Seattle reporter Ruby Herring is her own radar picket against evil doers and true to the spirit of the Laffey and her crew she will not quit. When Jake teasingly implies that Ruby might already be on his bad side, that withering look she gives him plainly says, "You just crossed a line, Detective. You won't shake me now. From here on in I'm your limpet." Deep down, of course, Jake's great with that. The chemistry between Jake and Ruby is subdued but supercharged. She won't be rebuffed and he won't be distracted but though it's unsaid, indeed it doesn't have to be said, Jake is obviously concerned that Ruby's intrepid efforts don't endanger her. That's why he has her tailed. Their relationship is for the long haul and I hope that Hallmark decides on RHM4+. Ruby unfailingly champions the underdog, being in a unique position in that respect for Hallmark heroines, and resolutely stays on track to fulfil two demanding and diametrically opposed objectives of wedding planning and murderer identification. The script proceeds smoothly with introduction, incident, development, climax, conclusion, with violence kept to a minimum, the crime being solved by more by subtlety than by a frenetic chase culminating in a knock-down-drag-out confrontation. Though minor, there were two downsides; one potential suspect was eliminated without explanation and the fate of the wedding cake was left hanging. I therefore give RHM1 9/10.
Debbie Macomber's Dashing Through the Snow (2015)
Ash and Dash Exceptional On-Screen Chemistry
I have seen Meghan Ory and Andrew W Walker in other movies but their on-screen chemistry in Dashing Through the Snow is exceptional. Here is Ash, with her intensely caring nature and buoyant warmhearted personality and strong, laconic, sensitive Dash, haunted by his war-zone past and aftermath. They are a perfect on-screen match and superb with the puppy. They only needed formally to tie the knot in the end to rate 10 with me. DV I think they should team up again. Starcraft would be a good name for the shop.