Male-female detective pairings often exhibit offbeat, dark humor and considerable chemistry as they investigate crimes. They have proven to be both entertaining and alluring on screen and television.
This work reveals an evolutionary progression in the depictions of three detective duos: the married pair Nick and Nora Charles of
The Thin Man,
black-humored special agents John Steed and Emma Peel of
The Avengers,
and finally the smoldering Mulder and Scully in
The X-Files.
Ten chapters offer critical analysis, rich with background information and insider observations. Production comments are given throughout. Three appendices (one for each series) offer episode guides with original broadcast dates, credits and brief synopses.