User Reviews

New Tricks takes on New Labour as this episode was broadcast almost 12 months after the invasion of Iraq. It rather gives you a hint who the actual murderer is going to be.

UCOS reopens the death of Josh Livesey whose body was found in a peace camp near a NATO base in 1984. The protesters think that the secret service was responsible for the killing of their fellow protester but a former friend now in Broadmoor is accused of the killing.

The UCOS team find that the protesters themselves have secrets especially now that one of them has climbed the political ladder and is rather high up in government.

The UCOS team really play well with each other and it is only three episodes into the first series, they look like a team that have been together for years. The mystery despite its various twists was rather easy to solve.

The team are investigating the cold case of Josh Livesy's murder, a protester who was killed back in the 1980's.

Initially I thought this was going to be a classic, the premise was great, soon after in steps the magical, much missed John Bennett, if I'm totally honest, I found this one a little disappointing.

The story seemed to be perhaps a little bit confusing, it didn't flow as well as the first few episodes of this first series.

The humour worked perfectly, several funny scenes throughout, a wet Dennis Waterman, and a Sandra embrace were both hilarious.

It's very well made, and the story was good, it was quite heavy politically shall we say, it definitely had a few digs at New Labour, and why not, they weren't in anybody's good books at this stage.

It's good, but should have been a classic, 6/10.

UCOS and security services/intelligence services/etc. The two would touch base/interact/go toe to toe throughout the run, this one is pretty low key and the security people are pretty straightforward and help solve the investigation.

The case itself is a bit over the place, not as organized as some others. It does have some good scenes, such as the mental hospital that feels freaky, and the team interacts well to solve the case.

This is about a murder that took place in the 80's where a bunch of protesters camped out in tents. There were people that were undercover cops and infiltrating the protesters.

The secret police find out that UCOS is investigating and go to Sandra Pullman's apartment. Sandra seems to easily tempted by men, she is an easy catch. She allows the men to come into her apartment thinking there is only one with a flirtatious look. She is disappointed when she sees two men.

Anyway it is 20 years later and they have to find out who killed "Josh". Some of these protesters have high paying jobs now and are well respected. The protesters were also using drugs. Some thought Josh was a mole in the movement and they thought that is why he was killed. It comes out 20 years later why he was murdered and it had nothing to do with the cops or peace movement.

I did not like this episode though I like the characters who are all great actors. Gerry is funny, Brian is smart and kind of nuts, Jack is smart and talks to a stone in his yard with his wife's name who is dead. It helps him sort out things, Sandra the boss is nice at times and other times she is a real angry woman who reminds of someone who has drinking and anger problems in real life. PC Clark/Chiké Okonkwo knows a lot of history, is good on the computer and finds info that UCOS investigators need.

One thing I did not know is that Brian's wife in New Tricks "Esther/Susan Jameson" is married in real life to Jack/James Bolam who is also in the series and works with Brian. Ester plays a very kind and understanding wife married to a recovering alcoholic who is also on a lot of medication. When Brian acts nuts it is so funny.

I wonder how this married couple deals with these interwoven character parts. Amazing.

Have always been a big fan of detective/mystery shows from a fairly young age, well since starting secondary school.

'Inspector Morse', 'A Touch of Frost', 'Midsomer Murders' (in its prime), 'Law and Order', 'Inspector George Gently', 'Criminal Minds', 'Murder She Wrote', you name them to name a few. 'New Tricks' has also been a favourite from the start (despite not being the same without the original cast in recent years). Although it can be corny at times (in an endearing sort of way) it has always been perfect for helping me relax in the evenings. Something that was needed during all the hard times endured in school.

Despite liking the pilot "The Chinese Job" a good deal and finding a lot to like (although it could have been better) about "ID Parade", it was with the second episode "Painting on Loan" where 'New Tricks' properly hit its stride, felt more settled and where the tone and writing felt more established and the 'New Tricks' we're familiar with. "1984" was a step or two down from "Painting on Loan", it has a lot of fine elements but fell short in other areas.

"1984's" weak spot is the ending. It was another one of those cases that was too easy to solve, even with several suspects it was not hard to figure out who it was once the twists started adding up and the motive compared to what the rest of the case revealed didn't ring so true to me.

The supporting cast are all solid, but for me only Nicholas Day and Susan Jameson properly rose above that.

Visually, on the other hand, "1984" looks lovely, with a brighter look but never garish and always slick and stylish. The music is a good fit and the theme song (sung with gusto by none other by Dennis Waterman himself) is one of the catchiest for any detective/mystery show and of any show in the past fifteen years or so.

Writing is intelligent, thought-provoking and classy, while also being very funny and high up in the entertainment value. Most of the funny lines come from Brian this time, not just at the end but finding out how he feels about rudeness. Regarding the latter, one can actually see where he's coming from and identify with him, especially when things happen in your life that you feel should be taken seriously but aren't (like being bullied at school with me).

Story is compelling, with its fair share of surprising twists, great use of the setting and lively, but never rushed, pacing. The obviousness of the final solution disappoints a little, but it is very interesting to see how the case is solved (that has always been part of the fun).

A huge part of 'New Tricks' appeal is the chemistry between the four leads and their performances. The chemistry is so easy going and charming.

One of the show's biggest delights is Alun Armstrong, achieves a perfect balance of funny comic timing and touching pathos which was maintained all the way up to his final episode. It is also lovely here to see his role in the team and skills appreciated more. James Bolam's Jack is the quietest, most sensible and most composed of the team, with a tragic personal life that Bolam portrays very touchingly without any overwrought-ness.

The only woman on the team, Amanda Redman more than holds her own in what is essentially the boss role of the four. Dennis Waterman, here with much better material that actually serves a point and is fun, has very good comic timing while being serious when needed.

In summation, good 'New Tricks' episode from the first season but far from being one of the show's best. 7/10 Bethany Cox

There's lots to like about New Tricks.

Good premise: Ex-cops pulled back in to solve cold cases.

Excellent cast, including my favorite Dennis Waterman.

Top-notch production values, with contemporary colour saturation and sound design.

This week's episode. Bunch of hippies are protesting something. One of them was murdered. Pinch-face in charge figures it was Special Braches. She even gets a lunch date out of it.

Blah, blah, blah. Lots and lots of talking of the kind perfected by dreary police procedurals such as Law & Order. Explain the plot. Talk about people off screen as if we're supposed to remember who's who based on some mugshots posted on the office wall. Very tedious.

But we stick with it because we want to know whether MI5 wacked a protestor.

Pearce Quigley as the criminally insane former protestor steals the episode with his paranoid act. Compelling actor.

Nicolas Day only gets a walk-through and one line. What a waste. The guy stole his two seasons on Minder. He deserved better here. They could have made him the antagonist, so to speak. And softened up Ms Pinch Face just a bit. She's hard to take, frankly.

I'd say the best part of New Tricks so far is the rapport among the crew, despite Ms Pinch Face.