Serena Evans Movies

This performance of the opera The Merry Wives of Windsor, based on the characters of Shakespeare's Henry IV, was filmed live at the Globe Theatre, and features vocalists Nathan Amzi, Gareth Armstrong, and Philip Bird in the leading roles. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi

The citizenry of Gasforth is up in arms over the proposed construction of a new highway bypass. In trying to control the situation, Inspector Raymond Fowler is stymied by the fact that his police squad colleague (and erstwhile sweetheart) Sgt. Patricia Dawkins has joined the protestors. In other developments, Constable Frank Goody falls in love, while Detective Inspector Grim obsesses over the "desecration" of his precious automobile. "Road Rage" was originally telecast on December 19 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Having been captivated by the new age movement, Sgt. Patricia Dawkins decides to go through an elaborate "rebirthing" process -- thereby driving her off-and-on lover, Inspector Raymond Fowler, completely bonkers. In the same spirit, Constable Frank Goody decides to adopt an alternative (to say the least) lifestyle. Other crises at the Gasforth Police Station involve Detective Inspector Grim's efforts to bust druggies at a local "rave," a temporarily co-ed bathroom, and a visit from the sister of WPC Maggie Habib. "Alternative Culture" originally aired on December 5, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Inspector Raymond Fowler is in for a whole new set of headaches when Ms. Wickerham, the new Mayoress of Gasforth, decides to begin legislating political correctness. As luck would have it, Wickerham's campaign coincides with the arrival of an illegal immigrant and the EC Commissioner for Human Rights (each of whom is mistaken for the other). On another front, Sgt. Patricia Dawkins tries to save a woman from being beaten -- thereby lousing up yet another carefully contrived "sting" operation by Detective Inspector Grim. "Ism, Ism, Ism" first aired on November 21, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

After ten years of living together, Inspector Raymond Fowler finally proposes to Sgt. Patricia Dawkins. She is thrilled -- until she discovers the true motivations behind Raymond's question-popping. As if this weren't trouble enough, Detective Inspector Grim is more depressed than usual over his impending 20th anniversary with the Gasforth police squad. "Green Eyed Monster" first aired December 23, 1996, as the final episode of The Thin Blue Line. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Though the traditional British "Rag Week" is hard to explain to American viewers, suffice to say that the annual ceremony involves elaborate pranks and practical jokes. On this particular Rag Week, the police officers at the Gasworth district house steel themselves for the usual onslaught of stunts and gags. As the other coppers contend with a recalcitrant telephone system, Inspector Fowler and Sgt. Patricia Dawkins get mixed up with a purportedly fake bank robbery. "Rag Week" was first shown on December 4, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Gasworth police squad faces a new onslaught of crises large and small in this episode written by series creator Ben Elton. WPC Maggie Habib develops a crush on a local fireman, only to find out that the object of her affections is more interested in Constable Kevin Goody! At the same time, Detective Inspector Grim does his best -- which is none too good -- to crack a case involving drug dealers. As for Inspector Raymond Fowler, he has his hands full with an inveterate practical joker. "Fire and Terror" first aired on November 20, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Advertised as a Christmas special when it originally aired on December 26, 1995, "Yuletide Spirit" was actually the final first season episode of the British sitcom The Thin Blue Line. Everyone at the Gasforth police station suffers when a disgruntled Inspector Raymond Fowler loses the starring role in an amateur Christmas pantomime. Worse is to come, as the station is transformed into a makeshift maternity ward for a homeless couple. Meanwhile, in keeping with the tenor of the season, Detective Inspector Grim and Detective Constable Kray chase down a gang of crooked carolers! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rowan Atkinson of Mr. Bean fame was the star of the BBC sitcom The Thin Blue Line. The setting was the tiny British town of Gasforth, where a squad of dedicated, but basically inept police officers held sway. Atkinson was cast as Inspector Raymond Fowler, whose self-absorption was matched by his clumsiness. Other members of the squad included Raymond's former live-in lover Sgt. Patricia Dawkins, chronically depressed Detective Inspector Grim, Constable Maggie Habib, and Constables Kevin Goody and Frank Gladstone. During the second season, two new characters were added to the mixture: Mayoress Wickerham, whose efforts at imposing "political correctness" at all costs only served to make bad situations worse, and CID Detective Boyle, whose efforts to work hand and glove with the squad usually resulted in botched arrests and public relations disasters. All of the episodes were directed by Atkinson's former Mr. Bean colleague John Birkin. Written and co-produced by Ben Elton, who admittedly patterned the program after the classic British comedy-ensemble series Dad's Army, The Thin Blue Line yielded 14 half-hour episodes between November 13, 1995, and December 23, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi