Taggart (TV Series) Evil Eye Part One (1990) User Reviews

The case of the murdered gypsy

[bethwilliam · 9/10 · 5 April 2006]

If you watch Taggart long enough you begin to see a theme to the writing. In the past we have had "Taggart and the serial killers," "Taggart and the voodoo magic," & "Taggart and the mad motorcycle gang." I can imagine the writers sitting around and thinking "Why don't we try a storyline with a gypsy curse?" The story begins with a gang of diamond thieves holding up a jeweler in London. The heist goes terribly wrong when a policeman is murdered and the villains head for Scotland. Along the way they crash near a gypsy caravan and murder the family matriarch.

Taggart has been credited with getting a number of young actors under way. John Hannah is introduced in the episode and puts in a credible performance. He is best remembered for "4 weddings and a funeral." Taggart spends much of this episode beside his wife who is in hospital in a coma. Watch the amusing tirade that brings her out of it.

Beware the Magpie and the Carpet store manager

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 25 September 2017]

A very complex case for Taggart and Jardine, three Glasgow criminals commit a jewel robbery, killing a Policeman, en route back to Scotland they stop at a Gypsy site, where one of the trio kills and robs a Gyspy woman who seemingly puts a curse on them. All manner of misfortune follows the trio.

Evil Eye is a very strong entry in the Taggart series, as a plot it's wonderfully intricate, there truly is so much going on, plenty to hold your interest as a viewer. John Hannah puts in the best performance as the crazed Danny Bonnar, Jill Gascoine is also very good as the glamorous, but dubious Jane Antrobus.

A great ending, featuring a rather nasty moment and a shock unmasking as to the perpetrator.

Very good, 9/10

A gypsy's murder

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 27 August 2018]

Have always adored detective dramas/mystery series. This has been apparent from an early age, half my life even, when getting into Agatha Christie through Joan Hickson's Miss Marple and David Suchet's Poirot and into 'Inspector Morse'.

Whether it's the more complex ones like 'Inspector Morse' (and its prequel series 'Endeavour') and anything Agatha Christie. Whether it's the grittier ones like 'A Touch of Frost' (though that is balanced brilliantly with comedy too). And whether it's the light-hearted ones like 'Murder She Wrote'. 'Taggart' is one of the biggest examples of the grittier ones, especially the Mark McManus years and the earlier James MaPherson episodes.

"Evil Eye" is great, and better than the previous two episodes, my only complaint being with it dragging slightly occasionally, but what made 'Taggart' such a good show when it was in its prime is evident here. The characterisation here is meatier than seen pre-Jardine, therefore more interesting with more development to Taggart.

Really like the slick, gritty look and Glasgow is like an ominous character on its own. The music matches the show's tone and has a good amount of atmosphere while the theme song/tune is one that stays in the memory for a long time. Really like Taggart and Jardine's chemistry here, which sees some priceless exchanges with them, and have always found it more interesting and settled than with Taggart and Livingstone.

As to be expected, "Evil Eye" is thoughtfully scripted with nothing ridiculous happening and things being taken seriously without being too morose. Taggart's personal life subplot has heart. The story is involving in its complexity and intricacy with nothing being what it seems, making the most of the long length (have generally found the 2000s episodes too short and rushed) without padding anything out. Some parts are not for the faint hearted but nothing feels gratuitous and the investigations are compelling and with enough twists to stop it from being obvious. One doesn't predict the ending at all, which is clever and actually quite shocking and not convoluted or far-fetched.

Good acting helps, with Mark McManus being a suitably tough and blunt presence throughout and James MacPherson being every bit his equal. The supporting cast and chemistry don't undermine them in any way, with a fine early performance from John Hannah and Robert Robertson adds a lot.

In short, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Step down

[znatokdetectiva · 8/10 · 20 February 2021]

"Taggart" is one of my favorite detective shows, especially the Mark McManus era and earlier episodes. I like the combination of dark, harsh atmosphere, of the types Glasgow, interesting, original and unexpected scenes, tense production, good acting, stiffness and sarcastic, caustic humor from the Taggart performed by Mark McManus and, of course, absolutely stunning theme song, "No Mean City", which made the show even better. There is no doubt that "Taggart" started out great, and the first 4 seasons were great and all the episodes in them ranged from good to masterpieces. Season 5, unfortunately, did not start so confidently with "Flesh and Blood", which was not bad, but given the high quality of the first seasons, not bad was not enough, and it was about the same with"Love Knot". "Hostile Witness" was a great episode and a great return to form. Unfortunately, "Evil Eye" is a bit of a step down, though not bad. Often, I wanted a harder, more confident pace and less drawn-out (such as the beginning) and meaningless (such as the gypsy curse) scenes. The direction is fuzzy and a bit blurry, the episode once again looks crowded and cluttered and sometimes tiring. I still don't understand why the line with the gypsies and the murder of the old woman was necessary at all, since it didn't make much sense and was too obvious and added to the story more of a long and slow pace. The unmasking is too fabulous and made up rather crudely even for "Murder She Wrote", and even more so for "Taggart". But don't think that "Evil Eye" is a bad episode. No, it's pretty good and better than many "average" episodes of such TV series as" Lewis "or"Midsomer Murders". The story itself is pretty solid, with some good finds (and now I find the scene in the hospital very funny), and generally fascinating, despite some drawn-out moments. By the end, the plot becomes more interesting and intense, and the final decision is completely unexpected. Overall, not bad, but a step down from the previous episode. 7/10.

Ah Maggie I Had to Laugh

[kris-gray · 9/10 · 5 February 2022]

I loved Taggart before Mark McManus died, it was okay for a few years with Jardine in charge but tapered off after he left.

I like this one particularly as my old friend Maggie Bell had a short but sweet appearance as the Gypsy matriarch. You died well my love LOL.

Nice to see a couple of young faces that have gone to greater things like John Hannah. And David O'Hara.