User Reviews

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 feels like 'Inspector George Gently' is starting to hit its stride with "The Burning Man". There are better episodes since when things became even more settled and fresher and the stories richer and more complex. There is a lot here already that is particularly good about 'Inspector George Gently' and it definitely makes one want to carry on watching.

There is very little wrong here, other than still having familiar tropes that have been done with more freshness elsewhere

However, "The Burning Man", 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 shows loud and clear. The music is stirring and haunting, dynamic with what's going on and never intrusive.

The writing already shows 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, despite having an air of familiarity at times and not as rich as other stories for other episodes, is easy to follow and absorbing with a good deal of suspense. "The Burning Man", 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.

Love the chemistry between Gently and Bacchus, one of the most interesting and well-contrasted detective/crime/mystery drama pairings (perhaps the most interesting since Morse and Lewis). The two couldn't have more different personalities and how they gel and clash entertains and intrigues. Both are fascinating characters already, and became even more fascinating as the show progressed.

Can't fault the acting, the continually brilliant performances from Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby here and throughout the show are career highs for both actors. Robert Glennister is especially excellent in support.

Overall, very good and solid. 9/10 Bethany Cox

After Episode 1 set the scene, we know have the first episode of Gently as the provincial detective. It's quite intriguing with a burned-beyond-recognition body, a host of characters that are somehow connected to the murder but nobody is sure how, a connection to the IRA and a meddling, bullying, opaque, obfuscative detective from Special Branch. There's also some good humour and DS Bacchus starts to show his worth.

It all makes for a rather convoluted plot which is good and bad. Good in that it keeps you guessing but bad in that it felt like twists for twists' sake in the end.

Still very interesting and entertaining though.