As a huge fan of detective/crime/mystery series, there is the admission that it took me a while to start watching 'Inspector George Gently', worrying as to whether it would appeal to me for "can't put my finger on it" reasons other than being young at the time and not being as knowledgeable of the period. Getting into the show eight years ago and continuing to watch it without fail, it turned out to be simply wonderful and actually became a favourite.
After a very solid, if still settling, start in "Gently Go Man", it felt like 'Inspector George Gently' started to hit its stride with "The Burning Man" and that continued with "Bomber's Moon". The show hit a high point with "Gently with the Innocents", but what should have been the best 'Inspector George Gently' episode, being the final one, sadly was the weakest to me. There is a lot here however that is particularly good about 'Inspector George Gently' and it shows that it is not at all hard to see why the show appeals to many.
"Gently and the New Age" shows 'Inspector George Gently' still delivering on a consistent level, but at the same time for a series finale it didn't feel completely satisfying. It doesn't quite have the emotional impact of other episodes that tackled daring themes, yet there is the tension and tautness are there. Like Rachel a good deal and her chemistry with Bacchus adds hugely to the episode.
Would have loved much more of Gently and Bacchus together though, for such a fascinating duo and one of the biggest driving forces of the show there wasn't enough of it.
Some things disappointingly don't add up in plausibility, including a big revelation concerning a major character that is brought up too suddenly and not developed enough. While very sad, the ending lacks the shock factor which would have been there if it wasn't so derivative and not as foreseeable.
Furthermore, "Gently and the New Age", like the rest of the show, looks great, often beautiful. It is strikingly filmed and the scenery and period detail are atmospheric, handsome and evocative, a lot of work and care went into re-creating the period and it definitely shows loud and clear. The music is stirring and haunting, dynamic with what's going on and never intrusive.
The writing has a lot of thought-provoking intelligence and balances subtle humour and drama very well and executing both individually just as well. The direction is alert and accommodating and the story is easy to follow and absorbing with a good deal of suspense. "Gently and the New Age", and 'Inspector Gently' in general, is very interesting for how British law was like in the 60s and how much it's changed and come on compared to now.
Acting is very good as usual, with Martin Shaw, Lee Ingleby and Lisa McGrillis being brilliant.
In summary, very good but was expecting more. 8/10 Bethany Cox
After a very solid, if still settling, start in "Gently Go Man", it felt like 'Inspector George Gently' started to hit its stride with "The Burning Man" and that continued with "Bomber's Moon". The show hit a high point with "Gently with the Innocents", but what should have been the best 'Inspector George Gently' episode, being the final one, sadly was the weakest to me. There is a lot here however that is particularly good about 'Inspector George Gently' and it shows that it is not at all hard to see why the show appeals to many.
"Gently and the New Age" shows 'Inspector George Gently' still delivering on a consistent level, but at the same time for a series finale it didn't feel completely satisfying. It doesn't quite have the emotional impact of other episodes that tackled daring themes, yet there is the tension and tautness are there. Like Rachel a good deal and her chemistry with Bacchus adds hugely to the episode.
Would have loved much more of Gently and Bacchus together though, for such a fascinating duo and one of the biggest driving forces of the show there wasn't enough of it.
Some things disappointingly don't add up in plausibility, including a big revelation concerning a major character that is brought up too suddenly and not developed enough. While very sad, the ending lacks the shock factor which would have been there if it wasn't so derivative and not as foreseeable.
Furthermore, "Gently and the New Age", like the rest of the show, looks great, often beautiful. It is strikingly filmed and the scenery and period detail are atmospheric, handsome and evocative, a lot of work and care went into re-creating the period and it definitely shows loud and clear. The music is stirring and haunting, dynamic with what's going on and never intrusive.
The writing has a lot of thought-provoking intelligence and balances subtle humour and drama very well and executing both individually just as well. The direction is alert and accommodating and the story is easy to follow and absorbing with a good deal of suspense. "Gently and the New Age", and 'Inspector Gently' in general, is very interesting for how British law was like in the 60s and how much it's changed and come on compared to now.
Acting is very good as usual, with Martin Shaw, Lee Ingleby and Lisa McGrillis being brilliant.
In summary, very good but was expecting more. 8/10 Bethany Cox