'Taggart' had declined quite a bit by this point. There was a feel of it having run out of ideas and had completely lost its spark. Especially in the later Burke period episodes, that suffered further from the shorter lengths. "Homesick" was one of the Burke period episodes that somehow was seen later on after the show had ended, shortly before getting into the Taggart and Jardine eras (and much preferring them on the whole in all honesty).
"Homesick" is also one of the not many nearly great episodes of late-'Taggart' during the period when Burke was in charge. While there were some great Burke period episodes such as "Compensation", "A Death Foretold", "Pinnacle" and "Judgement Day", there were also disappointments such as "Law", "Tenement" and especially "Genesis". "Homesick" is not perfect, but is much closer to being in the former category than the latter ones which is a good thing.
My only complaints actually are the now rather out of date and not very well fitting music. It was fine in the 80s and 90s and fitted then, at this point it was at odds with the action and like 10 plus years too late.
It also felt to me too short, with a case as complex as this this needed at least twenty minutes longer.
Other than that, "Homesick" has a huge amount to like and even love. The photography is both gritty yet moody, very well suited to the story's style, and the location is striking yet suitably unforgiving. The theme tune is hard to forget and still works, it's the background music that doesn't work and there has been nothing held against the theme tune.
From a writing point of view, "Homesick" has the right amount of entertainment value (the banter) and grit (in the crime solving it doesn't shy away). The story is never too simple (more complex than most 'Taggart' episodes at this point), the murderer and motive this time were a shock and not prematurely foreseeable this time, or hard to follow. The team interaction hasn't lost its cohesion or grit. The episode is well paced too, taking its time to breathe while still having momentum, and there is uncompromising grit and tension throughout.
All the acting is fine, lead and supporting. Blythe Duff always delivers and the supporting cast don't resort to stereotypes.
In conclusion, great. 9/10.