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.
'New Tricks' was past its best by now, with integral characters no longer with us, but like "Cry Me a River" (which introduced Danny as Brian's replacement) "Into the Woods" is an example that the period was not an unwatchable one and it did have good episodes.
Regarding Danny, he is not a bad character on his own, far from it (he's actually pretty likeable), and he is played very charmingly by Nicholas Lyndhurst in relatively subdued and playing it straight form. Other than his chemistry with Sandra, he has not quite settled yet and yet again he does suffer from that he just isn't Brian, whose intelligence was unique and who was a character that provided plenty of laughs but also emotion. Also he doesn't quite have the presence of Alun Armstrong whose absence is felt deeply.
Case-wise, "Into the Woods" is entertaining and intriguing with some nice, if at times familiar, twists and a denouement that satisfies enough.
Visually, "Into the Woods" 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. 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, which is so entertaining and charming with some nice tension.
Denis Lawson, Dennis Waterman and Amanda Redman all give their reliably strong performances (especially Lawson, who gives the episode a lot of heart and poignancy), and Lyndhurst is charming. The supporting cast also fare well though no outstanding standouts.
Overall, another well done episode though didn't have me jumping out of my chair. 8/10 Bethany Cox
'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.
'New Tricks' was past its best by now, with integral characters no longer with us, but like "Cry Me a River" (which introduced Danny as Brian's replacement) "Into the Woods" is an example that the period was not an unwatchable one and it did have good episodes.
Regarding Danny, he is not a bad character on his own, far from it (he's actually pretty likeable), and he is played very charmingly by Nicholas Lyndhurst in relatively subdued and playing it straight form. Other than his chemistry with Sandra, he has not quite settled yet and yet again he does suffer from that he just isn't Brian, whose intelligence was unique and who was a character that provided plenty of laughs but also emotion. Also he doesn't quite have the presence of Alun Armstrong whose absence is felt deeply.
Case-wise, "Into the Woods" is entertaining and intriguing with some nice, if at times familiar, twists and a denouement that satisfies enough.
Visually, "Into the Woods" 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. 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, which is so entertaining and charming with some nice tension.
Denis Lawson, Dennis Waterman and Amanda Redman all give their reliably strong performances (especially Lawson, who gives the episode a lot of heart and poignancy), and Lyndhurst is charming. The supporting cast also fare well though no outstanding standouts.
Overall, another well done episode though didn't have me jumping out of my chair. 8/10 Bethany Cox