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.
"The Queen's Speech" is enjoyable and a decent way to end the season. It is though one of the weaker Season 11 episodes and doesn't see 'New Tricks' in its full glory.
Do have to agree with that the ending underwhelms, it just felt contrived and far-fetched and like the writers got sloppy or lost concentration.
Felt too that Gerry's subplot didn't add an awful lot and what should have been funny came over as stale and corny.
The case is a very intriguing and compelling one however, not too simplistic, not too convoluted as well with enough turns to keep one guessing. That the suspect count is not a low one helps, which stops things from being obvious.
Will admit to starting to get used to the new team dynamic and they work pretty well together. It is charming and likeable, if not as sparkling or fresh as the original one and Brian's absence since Season 10 is still lamented (one of the main reasons why the show hasn't been the same since).
Balance between comedy and seriousness is generally well done. The humour standard-wise has been much better in other episodes, but Danny has some of his best, funniest and most intelligent lines here (of the four team members Danny steals the show here) and the seriousness doesn't go overboard.
Visually, "The Queen's Speech" 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.
All four leads are great, Nicholas Lyndhurst coming out on top, and the episode is solidly acted in support too from particularly Jack Shepherd.
On the whole, enjoyable episode but didn't bowl me over. 7/10 Bethany Cox