User Reviews

A camera is found when an old Soho pub is gutted out, the photos themselves hold clues to a murder twenty years ago.

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, and I'm a little surprised by the slightly lower score this one has. It's a great story, a cracking mystery, and has some wonderful characters.

I love that Hannah Waterman had a more substantial part here, so much like her wonderful dad, that office scene with Sandra was so natural.

Peter De Jersey was excellent here as Denny, I liked the character, and the way even for 2007, that he challenged the stereotypes, unfortunately a footballer would be in exactly the same situation 15 years later.

Jeremy Sheffield seemed to be in so many shows back in those days, good actor.

Only one more to go in this terrific series.

Excellent, 9/10.

The setup of the case is pretty good, the investigation is about average for a New Tricks episode. We get a bit of tabloid/porn/other dingy world here for UCOS to operate in.

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.

Season 4 previously was consistently wonderful. While still a strong episode, "Father's Pride" sees the season stumbling a little. The whole Gerry's daughter subplot is not as interesting as the rest of the episode and comes close to distracting from the case. The whole stuff with Brian was much more entertaining and more investable emotionally without being distracting. The exchange at the end was not one of the writers' better final scenes, sleazy and corny beyond belief and won't make the viewer feel comfortable.

However, "Father's Pride" is very strong elsewhere. The classic rapport between the team is there, as is the fun case solving and a diverting mystery.

Visually, "Father's Pride" is slick and stylish as ever. 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. This is all mixed adeptly with a seriousness without being overly so that it doesn't feel like 'New Tricks'. The story is fun, diverting and keeps one guessing. Gerry and Jack's rapport sees some very funny lines and the team's concern for Brian comes through believably.

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 with a little tension.

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 all the time. James Bolam's Jack is the quietest, most sensible (mostly) 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 brings some nice levity without unbalancing things.

Support is solid with no weak links, though there is nobody outstanding.

In summation, strong, well done episode but not a favourite. 8/10 Bethany Cox