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.
"Life Expectancy" is one of the best episodes of Season 12, the best since the "Last Man Standing" two parter and one of the best of the latter seasons. Can't really fault it actually, other than lacking the extra something that made the show's prime era so good.
Ted, although generally he never became one of the most interesting lead characters and not one of the most well-developed, has settled well and the chemistry is natural, charming and likeable if not as sparkling as with the original team. The personal side-stories are the best and character building all season and had a lot of heart and like they were going somewhere without being soapy.
Here in "Life Expectancy", the case engages hugely and has some nice surprising twists.
Mix of comedy and seriousness is handled well, without either over-powering the other. The former isn't too corny and the seriousness isn't too sentimental.
Visually, "Life Expectancy" 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.
Good performances from the whole cast, the four leads carry the episode beautifully and David Haig's turn is one of the season's best supporting performances.
All in all, great penultimate episode and builds things up very well. 9/10 Bethany Cox