New Tricks (TV Series) End of the Line (2011) User Reviews

Peter Offord and the vagrant, supertramps

[safenoe · 8/10 · 30 September 2017]

i especially like the mastery of the opening longshot following the UCOS gang down Cabbell Street NW1 to the Edgware Road tube station. All credit to the camera team. Sort of reminds me of The Verve video Bittersweet Symphony.

Peter Davison guest stars, and he should have got special star billing like "Special Guest Star" befitting his megastar status (e.g. Dr. Who, A Very Peculiar Practice). Also Peter and Amanda played the lead roles in At Home with the Braithwaites. Unfortunately no Anthony Calf in this episode or the previous one.

The UCOS gang befriend Leah, a homeless woman, on the street after they leave a restaurant, with Brian striking up a supportive conversation. Shortly after Brian saves Leah and her dog from a chav. Unfortunately Brian gets beaten up by some homeless old men, who strip him of his clothes for his good deeds.

Jack confronts his fear of the tube, and a sympathetic passenger asks if it was because of 7/7. This episode should have been dedicated to Jean Charles de Menezes, unjustly shot by police in the tube just 2 weeks after 7/7.

Homeless people on trains makes a fun setting

[scsaxe · 9/10 · 1 May 2022]

You might not think it, but the subculture they use/create for the show makes things pretty fun as the team works out who knows who, and both figures out who a mysterious dead man is and solves the murder. Brian tries to help someone at the beginning, and has some other encounters that result in some funny storylines, and the characters the others interact with are interesting as well. The case itself is solved by talking to these characters and has a sensible but not easily predicted ending.

As much sense as a frog in a drinks cabinet.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 6 August 2021]

The case of a tramp's death is reopened, at the time nobody took it too seriously, Sandra and the team are determined to learn the truth.

I am a fan of this episode, I think it's a cracker, it's wonderfully well written, beautifully acted, and it is just so original, the story is so imaginative, I can't think of any production with a similar sort of story. Great story for both Brian and Jack, both with a very important story.

Poor Brian, he should have reported those Officers for brutality, it wasn't his fault what happened, a few well known actors playing those old rogues. His coat is iconic.

Awesome names here including Tony no Ticket, Bedknob and Broadmoor Bill.

Rightly so there is a lot of love for the awesome Peter Davison, and his glorious voice, and he is brilliant, equal adoration should also be given to Sylvestra le Touzel, who is awesome, so beautifully spoken, it's hard not to think of her as The Heineken girl.......the water in Majorca.

Loved it, 9/10.

Underground murder

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 14 February 2018]

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.

"End of the Line" is not one of my favourite 'New Tricks' episodes, yet it still is very well done. Part of me really does wish that the ending could have been clearer, didn't get it on first viewing and still find it on the vague side which is more than what this otherwise very interesting and twisty mystery deserves.

The case still compels though with plenty of entertainment and intrigue if not many surprises.

Visually, "End of the Line" 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. One of the funnier 'New Tricks' episodes around this period of the show. This is all mixed adeptly with a seriousness without being overly so that it doesn't feel like 'New Tricks'.

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.

Everybody in support is solid.

In conclusion, very well done but needed a clearer ending. 8/10 Bethany Cox