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Title: Dark Chocolate (30 Sep 2010)
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| Episode complete credited cast: | |||
| Alun Armstrong | ... | Brian Lane | |
| James Bolam | ... | Jack Halford | |
| Amanda Redman | ... | Det.Supt.Sandra Pullman | |
| Dennis Waterman | ... | Gerry Standing | |
| Caroline Carver | ... | Helen Vestry | |
| Neil Stuke | ... | Duncan Miller | |
| Lizzie Roper | ... | Tilly Shaw | |
| Sian Brooke | ... | Eileen Harrison | |
| Alan McKenna | ... | Mick Shaw | |
| Gary Lewis | ... | Alex Close | |
| Rudi Dharmalingam | ... | Arun Kumar | |
 |
Rory MacGregor | ... | Liam Braine |
A recent sexual assault on Helen Vestry in her cake shop is identical to two unsolved rapes which occurred ten years earlier at the Pyramid Chocolate factory,run by unpopular Duncan Miller. All the victims were blonde and the attacker smelt strongly of sweat. The team's investigations also uncover a trilogy of seemingly unrelated disasters which befell the factory at the time - the suicide of a female worker,who was not raped,the discovery of a severed finger in a chocolate bar and the prosecution of contract cleaner Alex Close for using illegal immigrants in his work force. As the connection between the three events emerges it seems likely that a murder also took place in the factory,though the rapist is still very much alive. Written by don @ minifie-1
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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.
Season 7 continues to go strong with its most complex and grimmest episode yet in "Dark Chocolate". There is not much to criticise actually, though with a lot happening and more complex twists than the average 'New Tricks' episode it is one of those episodes where not everything is likely to be fully understood on first viewing.
The case however is a compelling one, with its fair share of intrigue and surprises and as said it's even more twisted than is usually found.
Visually, "Dark Chocolate" 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 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.
Neil Stuke, Caroline Harker and Gary Lewis give the best supporting performances, all three excellent.
Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox