Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (8/10)
(Seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix)

Description:Our female sleuth sashays through the back lanes and jazz clubs of late 1920s Melbourne, fighting injustice with her pearl-handled pistol and her dagger-sharp wit.
(this description was from IMDB) 

Bechdel Test: 9/10
The ladies in this show are strong willed and diverse in their personality's. They are the main protagonists and in many occasions they are the cunning antagonists as well. Miss Phryne Fisher and her collective are a force to be reckoned with, and despite the day and age in which this show takes place, they seem to have no trouble in doing what is right, instead of what might be proper.  

Character Development: 6.5/10
Miss Fisher herself doesn't change all to drastically throughout the show, however, the same can't be said for anyone who regularly interacts with her. Almost all the characters are altered in one way or another within the course of the show and in most cases its by the influence of the 'take no shit' personality of Miss Fisher.

Diversity of characters/Representation of Minorities: 7/10
Although the representation in this show is rather few and far between, I think something must be said for effort in regards to sexualities. It's unfortunate how so many shows seem to 'struggle' with showing diversity in any way, its for this reason that I give Miss Fishers a relatively higher rating than it might otherwise get. Despite being set in a time where it was the common notion that homosexuality was a sin and if found out would mean a prison sentence, this show manages to actually show a couple instances of LGBTQA+ people living in the late 1920's. The way it's done is also interesting because its relatively accurate to the time period while still managing to be respectful.
Overall, the main cast is pretty lacking in diversity but there are several episodes which highlight the daily struggles felt by; people of colour, LGBTQA+, and in one instance someone who could either be identified as a cross dresser or someone who is gender queer depending on how you interoperate that particular episode.

Acting Skills: 7.5/10
This show has a large variety of new characters every episode, many of which are not entirely at Meryl Streep levels of acting ability, this coupled with the fact that the writing often flips from intended drama to light hearted flirtation, means that the main actors tend to come across somewhat less "life-like" in comparison to a show such as the previously rated Misfits.

Visual Presentation: 9/10
Something that I'm always quick to fall for in a show is a detailed set and colorful costuming to go with it. In just about every other scene Phryne is decked out in something glamours and spectacular. Even if you're not interested in the plot, if you're anything like me, this show will be irresistible as drawing inspiration. 

Story Line: 8/10
This is more one of those 'feel good' shows that tends to follow a similar pattern in the plot of each episode. However, the lives and relationships of the characters do actually develop along side with each episodes mystery solved. Over all, the plot is repetitive enough that you can afford to tune in and out if you are looking for something light-hearted,as well as being engaging enough not to get boring if you plan to binge.

Additional Comments: This show was an instant favorite of mine for the powerful female characters as well as for the fact that it is really well put together without having to rely on having dark or intense emotions in its themes and characters. This is a great series to watch if you're just looking for a good time without any of that usual emotional devastation you'd get from watching something like Breaking Bad or Downton Abby.

Let me know what you think about this show and if there is anything you would like me to review next!