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 was certainly not an unwatchable period. Just like "Roots" is not an unwatchable episode, while not really shaking the inevitable past-prime feel.
"Roots" is most notable for introducing Sandra's replacement Sasha. She is a decent character and a pretty worthy and reasonably similar replacement, well played of course by Tamzin Outhwaite. Will always miss Sandra just as will Jack, but neither are missed as much as Brian whose absence leaves a large hole still. No matter how well Danny and Nicholas Lyndhurst fill it, and that they've settled nicely now (Jack's replacement Steve is so well settled it's like he's been there for years when he was introduced only in Season 9), Danny just suffers from being inevitably compared to Brian and not quite having what made Brian so special.
Sasha understandably though doesn't quite fit in, a bit of a fish-out-of-water feel, which is why the chemistry while charming, witty and likeable enough doesn't have the same spark and freshness of 'New Tricks' era (as well as lacking what made it work as well as it did). The idea of Gerry being disapproving towards new team members is rather tiring her having been done more than once before, this time it didn't feel as understandable as there is not much to Sasha that would warrant it. The ending is also somewhat soapy.
Having said that, there is still a lot to like about "Roots". The case, having the right amount of grit while being truer to the characteristic light-heartedness is very compelling with some nice twists and turns, not all surprising but many are, tied up satisfyingly and cleverly. There is a slight sense at times though that it played secondary to Sasha's introduction though there was a lot of focus on the case.
Visually, "Roots" 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, with a nice mix of the comedic and the serious.
Cannot fault any of the performances, and while the chemistry is less than perfect it just about works enough all things considered.
On the whole, decent and well done episode but the show was not the same by now and it's evident here. 7/10 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 was certainly not an unwatchable period. Just like "Roots" is not an unwatchable episode, while not really shaking the inevitable past-prime feel.
"Roots" is most notable for introducing Sandra's replacement Sasha. She is a decent character and a pretty worthy and reasonably similar replacement, well played of course by Tamzin Outhwaite. Will always miss Sandra just as will Jack, but neither are missed as much as Brian whose absence leaves a large hole still. No matter how well Danny and Nicholas Lyndhurst fill it, and that they've settled nicely now (Jack's replacement Steve is so well settled it's like he's been there for years when he was introduced only in Season 9), Danny just suffers from being inevitably compared to Brian and not quite having what made Brian so special.
Sasha understandably though doesn't quite fit in, a bit of a fish-out-of-water feel, which is why the chemistry while charming, witty and likeable enough doesn't have the same spark and freshness of 'New Tricks' era (as well as lacking what made it work as well as it did). The idea of Gerry being disapproving towards new team members is rather tiring her having been done more than once before, this time it didn't feel as understandable as there is not much to Sasha that would warrant it. The ending is also somewhat soapy.
Having said that, there is still a lot to like about "Roots". The case, having the right amount of grit while being truer to the characteristic light-heartedness is very compelling with some nice twists and turns, not all surprising but many are, tied up satisfyingly and cleverly. There is a slight sense at times though that it played secondary to Sasha's introduction though there was a lot of focus on the case.
Visually, "Roots" 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, with a nice mix of the comedic and the serious.
Cannot fault any of the performances, and while the chemistry is less than perfect it just about works enough all things considered.
On the whole, decent and well done episode but the show was not the same by now and it's evident here. 7/10 Bethany Cox