I watched part of Prime Suspect 7 two years ago on PBS. It was quite refreshing. It also made me a solid fan of Helen Mirren. Surprisingly Netflix has all 7 seasons! So starting from the very first one, where the lighting and framing were almost horrific to the latest more mainstream one, I was deeply intrigued. Each one a major social issue, each one a group of unique British policeman. It is very different from American episodic crime shows, the pacing is so much slower, but it makes you really see the tediousness of the police work, the life outside of the work, the politics, etc. They were all very dry (some of them such as the last one were bit too emotionally dramatic for my taste), you can really sit back and focus on the story and the characters and those moments of dry but very funny moments.

A few things:
1. Prime suspect one: the massive office shot with 20+ officers, it was so real! From the behind camera special in Season 7 I learned that part of that was improved. No wonder. but what a nightmare to shoot. Ha. I love it.
2. “Go interview the neighbors” My God, they actually show how these cops cover the whole building. The length of the show also displays the time span way better. You actually feel how one month, two month goes by and how grueling an event can be on any way.
3. The most hilarious scene: Season 6. The 10 minutes super intense ambush setup on Zigic ends with a dramatic toilet flush, 10 heavily armed Swat team turning their head and a dumfounded Zigic stepping out of the tiny hall bathroom!

The last but not least, Helen Mirren’s character! she is cunning, mouthy, arrogant, selfish, etc… but you cannot help but love watching her because everything seems to be there for her to be better at what she loves – her work. Every facial expression, every line, so full of life.