If you set aside the double-length pilot, this is the best episode of the series and the one that really finds the perfect balance of humor that is sly and witty without being over the top. In this episode, Sergeant Cribb, finding himself at loose ends, accompanies Constable Thackery to the wedding of a family friend. Cribb’s suspicions are aroused at the ages of the bride & groom, he a doddering, but wealthy, old man, she a vivacious young woman. You’ll probably have it figured by about that point too, but the witty way the story unfolds really breathes new life into what could have been a clichéd old plot. This episode had me laughing out loud repeatedly and the final comeuppance for the villains of the piece is surprising, funny and absolutely perfect. The show has struggled with its comedic voice after the pilot, which perfectly wove in some splendidly dark humor; this one isn’t dark as that one was, but it’s genuinely clever and funny. Best of the series. 4 stars.
tl;dr – perfectly tuned comedic episode finds Cribb investigating a suspicious marriage with hilariously sly results; best episode of the series. 4 stars.