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 2 gets off to a great start with "A Delicate Touch". It introduces us to Strickland, beautifully played by Anthony Calf who shows no signs of being ill at ease, who already in his debut episode is a far more likeable character than Bevan. The authority and frustration is there, as is the want for results without unorthodox methods, but there is a softer approach and the team seem to have more respect for him than they do for Bevan.
At this early point, there, with a couple of exceptions (i.e. "Good Work Rewarded"), there seemed to be a pattern with 'New Tricks' for unsatisfying endings. For reasons that won't be spoiled (although it has been already), knowing how a lot of people feel about endings being given away, the ending here didn't ring true, it was hard to believe that it happened the way it is revealed (the motive is also a pretty extreme one) and then the viewer feels somewhat cheated at the outcome.
Can't fault the rest of "A Delicate Touch" though. By this point, 'New Tricks' had fully hit its stride, now fully settled with the familiar mix of humour and serious mystery fully established.
Visually, "A Delicate Touch" looks lovely, with a brighter look but never garish and always slick and stylish, with a touch of grit seen in the pilot and the first episode. 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.
Story is compelling, with its fair share of surprising twists and skeletons in the closet conflict (especially with the season's most hateable suspect in Lombard), and lively, but never rushed, pacing.
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 is fun and is adding more and more all the time to the crime solving, even if some of his methods throughout the show are not one calls by the book.
As aforementioned, Anthony Calf is a welcome replacement and addition. Nicholas Jones, Jenny Agutter, Anita Dobson, Susan Jameson and particularly Keith Barron are very good in support.
In summary, great apart from the ending not satisfying. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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