User Reviews

Gerry and Steve are sent to Glasgow to help with the setup of their new UCOS unit, however a mixup means that the pair take the lead on a sensitive case.

A very, very good episode, I really enjoyed every aspect of it, naturally Brian and Sandra are missed, but it allows Steve's character to develop quite a lot. It was always going to be difficult to introduce new characters with Steve so far from home, but if the mountain won't go to Mohammed, the reverse must happen.

Gerry seems to be playing a much, much bigger part on the show lately, the scene where he addressed The Scottish CID, Waterman at his absolute best.

The setting made a real difference, I absolutely love Glasgow, it looked fabulous, and allowed for a very different vibe, a different flavour so to speak. Plenty of the location work was jaw dropping.

Kate Dickie and Neve McIntosh are excellent here, for me though it was Sandy McDade who stole it, I think she's a terrific actress, she is so talented, and so beautifully spoken.

Great episode, 9/10.

Steve and Gerry go to Glasgow to help solve an interesting case, and have some good interactions while there. The case itself goes some dangerous places, and calls on Steve to use some of his improvisation. Only possible issue is how many people have a coincidental connection to the case, but in story it makes sense so is acceptable. The resolution of several threads has some shockers as well.

I don't know why Sandra and Brian don't appear in the episode, and why Strickland refers to her as DCI Pullman when she was a Det Superintendent (DSI) and the error not seemingly picked up. Perhaps the scene were rushed.

Interestingly the interior scenes representing the police station in Glasgow is actually the old set from The Bill, which had stopped being made in 2010. The scene in the custody suite gave it away!

It must have been quite an intensive episode to make as they genuinely did go to Glasgow and there was a fair bit of location filming, but then all the studio shots are in South London (The Bill studios is near Wimbledon) and then quickly film a short scene where Strickland orders them off to Bonnie Scotland!

It was nice to see Gerry's role expanded. With the loss of Jack as "lead investigator" he's ripe to step into those shoes. Brian wouldn't be interested in being the leader and he's struggling to accept Steve as Jack's replacement.

Gerry is even starting to wear the sort of coats that senior plain clothes coppers like to wear!!

Far far too many coincidences as well. Steve's GF being attached to the job (I knew that when she walked through custody and no one said a thing) and being in care as a child. The DCI having them followed and also being formerly in care herself.

The ending is a surprise and I'm not going to spoilt it for those yet to watch it.

Nice to see Ralph Riach (RIP) playing the bent retired Procurator Fiscal as well as Sandie McDade.

Overall a good episode, just a shame we never hear anymore about Glasgow or their UCOS unit.

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.

"Glasgow UCOS" is very like "Part of a Whole", it is a very interesting try at doing something relatively different, and while it was not entirely successful it was generally done very well. It is grittier and more darkly sombre than can usually be seen, but the gritty elements have tension and while humour is kept at relative minimum there was enough entertainment value to keep things from being overly serious.

The story is an absorbing and clever one with a fair share of surprises that don't feel too stale, if at times over-complicated and like there was too much going on and with not enough breathing space. The denouement is an unexpected one.

Sandra and Brian are very much missed in the first time they're absent up to this point of 'New Tricks', one does get the sense here that in particular it isn't the same without Brian or Alun Armstrong. Still it was lovely to see more development to Steve, he very quickly settled in very well but he did need more development and "Glasgow UCOS" gave that. Gerry is a gritty and lively presence, and the chemistry between them has really blossomed.

Visually, "Glasgow UCOS" 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. The chemistry between the characters and cast entertains, charms and has some intensity.

Acting is very good from both Denis Lawson and Dennis Waterman, as well as the supporting cast.

In summary, pretty good but not up to high 'New Tricks' standard. 7/10 Bethany Cox