We open up in proper horror movie territory as a young woman opening a gate in heavy rain is slashed to death by an unseen maniac.
We then cut to one of the greatest Taggart openings, as Dr Janet Napier (Hannah Gordon) is arrested on suspicion of murder by Taggart, and the opening theme plays as we watch her slowly escorted out of the building as everyone stops to watch. We've joined in this story when its already seemingly near a conclusion.
Napier goes to trial without the murder weapon being found, and is soon found Not Proven.
The murder scene was surrounded by "woods, rivers and fields" so easy to hide.
Taggart thinks he failed at his job, so is told to take some time off. So Taggart takes time off by going as a patient to the Napier Health Farm!
Scenes between Hannah Gordon and Mark McManus sparkle, with the Taggart actor clearly revelling an acclaimed thesp to play off of.
Taggart: The Biscuit told me to get away on holiday.
Jardine: Where's Jean?
Taggart: At home. I'm here to get away from stress!
This involves several scenes of Jardine and co going to the health farm to ask Taggart's advice as he is in an array of health farm activities. A fan favourite being the mud bath scene! Taggart's disdain for the increased tonics hes put himself through is hilarious. "It might suit a hippo," says Jim of his mud bath before signing his witness statement in the mud.
The killer is still out there, and bumps off Napier's daughter on another dark and stormy night, in quite a grisly and effective horror chase scene. The camera lingers on the fear and horror.
The music is effortlessly atmospheric.
Hannah Gordon winds up trapped with the killer in a cottage.
This show has more rain than a Kurosawa flick.
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