Love the show BUT - in the trial the defense accurately calls into question our hero's motives etc ..BUT if we remember in S04E01 Hanson mugged the nurse and put on hospital white doctor coat . SO.... the nurse could have id Hanson and he ( Hanson) was found with doctor coat on - NOT BUYIN IT WRITERS / Boooooo!
13 Reviews
Missed evidence
aegoss1 June 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The writers seem to have forgotten the ward nurse, who Ricky Hanson left lying on the floor, alive or dead we don't know. Either way this would have been a significant part of his trial, very hard for the slimy silk to gloss over, and something of a clincher for the jury. But then the job of the scriptwriter is to keep the pot boiling, so I'm not really complaining. We are delighted to see another season of this excellent series appearing on Australian television, it has wit, depth, compassion, and splendid ensemble acting. It's been a long time since The Sweeney and The Likely Lads, much has changed in the world and on television, but watching New Tricks I realise that much has not changed, about human nature, and about good drama. Today we have technology that makes trivial work of scenes that forty years ago would have been technically or financially impossible. Technology brings freedom, and this team makes good use of it.
A good series opener.
Sleepin_Dragon8 March 2022
The trial for Ricky Hanson is back, when in court, they're asked by an old friend of Jack's, to look into the death of Ralph Wheeler.
It's a pretty meaty episode, there's a story within a story, it feels almost as if the whole of UCOS is on trial. I love the way the trial element is woven through the main story, the death of Ralph Wheeler.
It's a clever story, not quite a favourite, but it's a good series opener. I loved the focus on Brian in particular. Such is the quality of this show, that they could pick up on a thread from an earlier series, reintroduce a villain, and pick up where they left off.
James Fox is awesome as the real villain of the episode, and he is an absolute monster throughout, no morals or scruples, he doesn't care how motives, he just wants a result, be was made to play parts such as this.
Camille Coduri was great as the tart with a heart, she's a class act. 8/10.
It's a pretty meaty episode, there's a story within a story, it feels almost as if the whole of UCOS is on trial. I love the way the trial element is woven through the main story, the death of Ralph Wheeler.
It's a clever story, not quite a favourite, but it's a good series opener. I loved the focus on Brian in particular. Such is the quality of this show, that they could pick up on a thread from an earlier series, reintroduce a villain, and pick up where they left off.
James Fox is awesome as the real villain of the episode, and he is an absolute monster throughout, no morals or scruples, he doesn't care how motives, he just wants a result, be was made to play parts such as this.
Camille Coduri was great as the tart with a heart, she's a class act. 8/10.
Unfortunately it seems UCOS was put on trial in the Hanson case
safenoe18 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The return of Hanson...he's on trial and he's got a sharp barrister who tries to smear the UCOS team on the stand. Unfortunately Hanson is found not guilty by the gullible jury. Such a shame.
This episode served as a flashback of sorts, with the foibles, etc of the UCOS team brought out in court. I guess in New Tricks the rules of evidence are quite flexible in a way to favor Hanson.
Season 5 starts with great confidence and it's always a pleasure seeing the UCOS team bond and support one another.
This episode served as a flashback of sorts, with the foibles, etc of the UCOS team brought out in court. I guess in New Tricks the rules of evidence are quite flexible in a way to favor Hanson.
Season 5 starts with great confidence and it's always a pleasure seeing the UCOS team bond and support one another.
UCOS in court
TheLittleSongbird23 January 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.
Following on from the events in the Season 4 opener "Casualty", "Spare Parts" starts Season 5 on a great note. There is a glaring inconsistency/goof regarding the events in "Casualty", indicative that the writers had forgotten how some of the events played out in that episode, and if it would have affected possibly the outcome of the case.
The court case and mystery are both compelling, with sad and surprising outcomes (the outcome of the court case frustrating).
Visually, "Spare Parts" 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'. The story is fun, diverting and keeps one guessing.
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.
David Troughton is suitably loathsome as Hanson and the rest of the cast, particularly James Fox and Bruce Alexander are strong.
Overall, great. 9/10 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.
Following on from the events in the Season 4 opener "Casualty", "Spare Parts" starts Season 5 on a great note. There is a glaring inconsistency/goof regarding the events in "Casualty", indicative that the writers had forgotten how some of the events played out in that episode, and if it would have affected possibly the outcome of the case.
The court case and mystery are both compelling, with sad and surprising outcomes (the outcome of the court case frustrating).
Visually, "Spare Parts" 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'. The story is fun, diverting and keeps one guessing.
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.
David Troughton is suitably loathsome as Hanson and the rest of the cast, particularly James Fox and Bruce Alexander are strong.
Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Mystery and a trial
scsaxe1 May 2022
The case itself is kind of dull, it goes through the standard motions but doesn't stand out particularly and I admittedly forgot a lot of it after watching.
The court scenes with Hanson are likely where a lot of attention went, and follow a similar sequence. There are some issues with the scenes, and a big problem with the case overall in that some details from the actual attack get forgotten that would almost certainly have changed the outcome.
The court scenes with Hanson are likely where a lot of attention went, and follow a similar sequence. There are some issues with the scenes, and a big problem with the case overall in that some details from the actual attack get forgotten that would almost certainly have changed the outcome.
Spare Parts -- similar to Planned Parenthood body part
ctyankee126 August 2015
Ralph Wheeler a millionaire daughter was in a car accident. She remained comatose and her father wanted to moved her but the doctor persuaded the father to turn off her life support and donate her organs. Four organs were removed from the daughter Amy/Naomi (not sure about the name) her heart, kidney, liver and cornea. Wheeler finds out who has his daughter's cornea because of his financial influence he tracks down the person named "Carrie". They became close in a short time. It is said because he wants to keep a part of his daughter alive. Wheeler leaves his money to Carrie who is a female prostitute. Soon after that he is murdered.
Wheeler did not know that the doctor in charge of his daughter's care called a friend who was a lawyer and told him that he had a "perfect heart" for a person the lawyer knew before Wheeler's daughter died. The daughter's boyfriend overheard the call and had Ralph Wheeler donate the organs to a register organization where people are already signed up for what they need so the doctor could not get the heart for his lawyer friend.
UCOS is investigating the murder of Ralph Wheeler. When people have something others want and not just money they will do anything to get it.
In a statement about a heart taken from a person not dead and taken for another person Blake the man who wanted the heart for his girlfriend says "people are not the same one life is not equal to another,life is inherently unfair." I don't agree that that statement. I am pro-life and all lives are equal to each other.
This episode has a lot in it including UCOS going to court and testifying on behalf of Jack.
Sad ending in many aspects.
Wheeler did not know that the doctor in charge of his daughter's care called a friend who was a lawyer and told him that he had a "perfect heart" for a person the lawyer knew before Wheeler's daughter died. The daughter's boyfriend overheard the call and had Ralph Wheeler donate the organs to a register organization where people are already signed up for what they need so the doctor could not get the heart for his lawyer friend.
UCOS is investigating the murder of Ralph Wheeler. When people have something others want and not just money they will do anything to get it.
In a statement about a heart taken from a person not dead and taken for another person Blake the man who wanted the heart for his girlfriend says "people are not the same one life is not equal to another,life is inherently unfair." I don't agree that that statement. I am pro-life and all lives are equal to each other.
This episode has a lot in it including UCOS going to court and testifying on behalf of Jack.
Sad ending in many aspects.
Stellar casting as usual
ArtVandelayImporterExporter11 March 2024
New Tricks launches Series 5 by doubling back on Jack's run-ins with psycho Ricky Hanson from the Series 3 finale and Series 4 premiere.
Hanson's on trial and the UCOS team is called to give testimony. Problem is, Hanson is represented by a lawyer portrayed by none other than the absolutely magnificent James Fox. A lesser actor would have turned the court shenanigans the writers have crafted herein into farce. But Fox is smoother than single malt scotch, so when he starts discrediting the team, and the judge lets him get away with it, we go along with it.
But credit is due James Bolam as Jack Halford, who begins his testimony under cross-examination resolutely and confidently. But with each probing question from Fox, we can see Halford wither ever so slightly each time. There is no heavy sighing or eye-rolling or histrionics. He barely even speaks. But Bolam conveys in words so perfectly the grief his character must have been feeling. It's arguably one of the best scenes in the entire run of New Tricks.
Oddly, that's this week's B plot. The A plot involves a car accident and donor organs. Frankly, I could barely follow it and to be honest I didn't really care in the end.
See the episode for James Fox and James Bolam.
Hanson's on trial and the UCOS team is called to give testimony. Problem is, Hanson is represented by a lawyer portrayed by none other than the absolutely magnificent James Fox. A lesser actor would have turned the court shenanigans the writers have crafted herein into farce. But Fox is smoother than single malt scotch, so when he starts discrediting the team, and the judge lets him get away with it, we go along with it.
But credit is due James Bolam as Jack Halford, who begins his testimony under cross-examination resolutely and confidently. But with each probing question from Fox, we can see Halford wither ever so slightly each time. There is no heavy sighing or eye-rolling or histrionics. He barely even speaks. But Bolam conveys in words so perfectly the grief his character must have been feeling. It's arguably one of the best scenes in the entire run of New Tricks.
Oddly, that's this week's B plot. The A plot involves a car accident and donor organs. Frankly, I could barely follow it and to be honest I didn't really care in the end.
See the episode for James Fox and James Bolam.
Terrible episode.
steverossi-8644419 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The trial is a joke. It makes absolutely no sense. Why is the assault on the nurse left out of the trial? Why did they leave out the lab coat Hanson was wearing when he attacked Jack. It's obvious the needed a not guilty verdict to push a story line, but this nonsensical trial just leaves the audience unsatisfied. The rest of the episode is ok but nothing spectacular. It is one of the weaker mysteries the team is called upon to solve. After the season 4 season finally, one would think that there would be some mention of the death of Sandra's father and her unwillingness to accept it as a suicide.
Vastly unenjoyable episode
dldpatterson-591-8282035 August 2021
Totally No Sense At All
Johnny_West29 February 2024
Number one issue that made NO SENSE at all: Ricky Hanson attacked a nurse at the hospital, and she was bleeding and looked dead. He was on hospital cameras, clear as day, there should have been no trial relating to Jack. Hanson should have been convicted of killing a nurse, hands down, end of story, life in prison.
Instead, the focus is on Ricky Hanson's attempted murder of Jack. Brian was attacked too, but apparently they gave Hanson a free pass on Brian and the murder of the nurse.
So we get a full trial episode (boring) about the personal lives of Jack, Brian, Jerry and Sandra. Every detail of their personal lives is brought out, including where Jack has his wife's ashes interred, Brian's medications, Jerry doing the DNA testing of his daughter, etc.
How could anyone know that information? Unless someone is living in the bushes at Jack's house, how can they know whether or not he has a drink at night and talks to his wife Mary? The Jerry DNA test was supposedly a secret. How would some defense attorney find out?
Brian's medications are something that should have included a medical expert if they were going to talk about the effects, etc. Seems like a lot of corners were drastically cut to stack the deck against the good guys.
Also a lot of the bad testimony should have been avoided with a simple "I don't remember." They were relying on memory loss to explain the car accident, but then they were admitting personal information that should have been impossible for the defense attorney to prove.
It is a real cheap move to bring up personal details that were impossible for anyone to know (except for the writers of the show). Under those standards, nobody would ever go to court! If you get into a car accident and are grilled about your kids' DNA, medications, personal relationships, etc., the trial system would be a bigger joke than it already is.
Instead, the focus is on Ricky Hanson's attempted murder of Jack. Brian was attacked too, but apparently they gave Hanson a free pass on Brian and the murder of the nurse.
So we get a full trial episode (boring) about the personal lives of Jack, Brian, Jerry and Sandra. Every detail of their personal lives is brought out, including where Jack has his wife's ashes interred, Brian's medications, Jerry doing the DNA testing of his daughter, etc.
How could anyone know that information? Unless someone is living in the bushes at Jack's house, how can they know whether or not he has a drink at night and talks to his wife Mary? The Jerry DNA test was supposedly a secret. How would some defense attorney find out?
Brian's medications are something that should have included a medical expert if they were going to talk about the effects, etc. Seems like a lot of corners were drastically cut to stack the deck against the good guys.
Also a lot of the bad testimony should have been avoided with a simple "I don't remember." They were relying on memory loss to explain the car accident, but then they were admitting personal information that should have been impossible for the defense attorney to prove.
It is a real cheap move to bring up personal details that were impossible for anyone to know (except for the writers of the show). Under those standards, nobody would ever go to court! If you get into a car accident and are grilled about your kids' DNA, medications, personal relationships, etc., the trial system would be a bigger joke than it already is.
Great show, Terrible episode
danburns-7617819 February 2022
The trial seems to consist of the defense barrister asking irrelevant questions that cause these supposedly experienced cops completely fall apart but nobody has much to say about the events surrounding the crime that the defendant is supposedly on trial for.
Really ???!!
BrunoSe25 January 2022
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