New Tricks (TV Series) The Rock: Part Two (2013) User Reviews

The team head to Gibraltar

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 6 August 2013]

This, the tenth series of 'New Tricks' opens with Brian staring into a pint and quoting Nietzsche before getting up and flooring the senior officer whose retirement bash he is attending! This inevitably leads to his suspension from UCOS although it turns out this was his plan all along as he believes the officer he hit was culpable for a death in custody many years before and he plans to expose the truth at the enquiry. Soon after the rest of the team are called in when an ex-Argentine pistol is found; it is linked to two murders; one in England; the other, many years earlier, in Gibraltar.

This proves an excuse for the team to head to The Rock to follow leads there. It won't be easy though as at the time of the murder Gibraltar was full of servicemen returning from victory in the Falklands and the weapon was almost certainly a souvenir brought back from the South Atlantic by a soldier. Their investigation will mean working with the local police and dealing with the military. They also get help from an unlikely source when Brian turns up… although Sandra wants him on the next plane home!

One could be excused for thinking the series might be getting a bit stale by now but on the strength of this two-part story I'm not so sure. The case was interesting without being too convoluted and there were plenty of laughs to be had… most notably when Brian and Gerry get trapped in an empty shipping container and find themselves in Spain! The resolution of the case was well handled; giving a rather poignant ending rather than a confrontation one might expect… that confrontation was left for Brian's enquiry and is likely to leave viewers wanting to cheer as Brian has words with the man he hit! As always the whole cast do a fine job but most notable is Alun Armstrong who is great as Brian. Often when a series leaves its usual location for an overseas case it is a weaker episode that seems like it was made as a way to give the makers an excuse to go somewhere nice but here it didn't feel that way… even if the scenery did look stunning!

Brian's justice

[safenoe · 10/10 · 27 October 2017]

The team continue to be in Gibraltar where Sandra and Brian have a heartfelt conversation. Brian sorrowfully refers to Jack and how it was all snatched away from him, inferring that Jack has now passed away in the French hospice.

In fact, the team are in Gibraltar only until the final 10 minutes of this episode, at which time Brian faces the disciplinary hearing for punching Commander Embleton at his farewell party at the beginning of part 1 to avenge Anthony Kaye, a young black man who in 1988 died in custody of then junior cop Embleton all those years ago when Brian was suffering drinking problems.

Brian finally delivers justice through a tape recording leaked to Anthony's mother at her market stall.

Bold and Touching

[Robinson2511 · 10/10 · 31 August 2015]

(For Parts 1 & 2)

The UCOS Team head to Gibraltar in the series boldest episodes yet. A gun found on the riverbank leads the team to the Rock while Brian tries to keep his promise to the boy who died in a police cell in his custody just before he retired, putting his job on the line.

This episode stops at nothing with it's scenery, writing, direction and emotion, it's setting up the arc for Brian's departure while not forgetting that it's a crime drama, something that previous episodes often forgot, focusing too much on the characters and nearly completely forgetting the story, which is why I think spreading this story over two parts was a great idea.

The writers did a great job with filling up the two episodes, despite the episode being two-hours long I can't think of a single moment where things aren't moving. The characters are surprisingly interesting, something that series 9 wasn't particularly known for, twists dotted evenly throughout the two parts keep things moving, and there's a perfect balance between serious, comedic and emotional.

The acting can be very intense at times, especially the end of part two, and the special moments between the main characters especially Sandra and Brian, are very precious little scenes.

But the emotional highlights of the episode involve Brian and his exit story, the way he confronts Embleton is brilliant, and the way he looks around the UCOS office before heading of to tell Anthony Kay's mother what happened to her son, knowing that it would probably be the last time he would be working on a case with his team, another one of those precious little moments that make this episode very special.

These are two of the strongest episodes in the show's history, both in terms of story, writing, direction, acting, and the tiny emotional moments that make this episode one that you'll definitely remember.

Such a great episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 4 October 2022]

Cruz and Sandra have to investigate the island's first murder for quite some time, Brian and Gerry have to find their way out of the crate.

Such a satisfying episode, a brilliant conclusion to the two part story. Seeing this I almost wish they had done more two parters, I know they wanted to make the most out of the place, but it did allow for greater character development.

Brian feels centre stage, and it does feel like the beginning of the end for him, Armstrong was fantastic, that scene where he opens up to Sandra was a superb moment.

Vincent Riotta and Dhafer L'Abidine were both terrific in their respective guest roles, the acting genuinely was first rate, each cast member simply nailed it.

Visually jaw dropping, from the scenes on the boat, to the breathtaking visuals of the rock itself. I can't think of many shows that used Gibraltar as a filming location, it's a shame, it's a beautiful place, it looks so impressive on screen.

Incredibly in every department, 10/10.

'New Tricks' in Gibraltar Part Two

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 6 March 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.

Both parts of the two-part "The Rock" are among the best episodes of the later seasons and definitely the high-point of Season 10, would go as far to say they are high-points of 'New Tricks' overall too. "The Rock: Part Two" continues the entertaining, emotional and hugely intriguing quality of the first part, and excels in balancing all three brilliantly and excelling just as much making them very believable individually. It also gives the feeling that making "The Rock" two parts was justified, with the case being as jam-packed and complex as it is.

The story keeps one guessing and on their toes and it ties everything up beautifully with a solution that rings true. The highlight is Brian's climactic confrontation at the hearing, one of the greatest scenes of the show with some of its best acting.

As said Jack is much missed and added a huge part to 'New Tricks', but luckily Steve is a nice addition settled in incredibly well, he feels part of the team and it is like he has been there for longer. The dynamic in the team feels more settled and accepting generally and Denis Lawson continues to add a good deal in his own way.

Visually, "The Rock: Part Two" 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 in a gentle but sparkling way and high up in the entertainment value. This is all mixed adeptly with a moving 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. Especially good is the chemistry between Sandra and Brian.

Denis Lawson has settled in very well, while Amanda Redman balances authoritative boss and loyal friend/colleague beautifully and Dennis Waterman brings levity and grit. The supporting cast are also solid. It, and the second part, is Alun Armstrong's episode though, Armstrong's superb balance of comic timing and pathos was always one of 'New Tricks' consistently best elements and all that can be seen, as well as a wider emotional range than before which Armstrong conveys in an utterly transfixing way, especially at the end.

Overall, brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Better without Brian

[Johnny_West · 3/10 · 21 March 2024]

I enjoyed this two parter, but a lot more without the misery and obsessive bi-polar depression of Brian and his endless selfishness. All he cares about is himself, and how he feels. He is willing to drag Sandra Pullman down the tubes with him, by directly disobeying every command.

This is a comedy drama, but in real life, a loose nutjob like Brian would get himself and his boss and possibly his co-workers all terminated for Brian's many failures to follow orders, and his refusal to follow procedures. Not to mention punching a senior officer and leaking a tape to the mother of an alleged victim.

None of that would happen except on TV, especially the part where Embleton has totally outsmarted Brian, and then confesses into a tape recorder and while Brian's wife is also a witness. Just Bush League nonsense.

So while Dennis Lawson and Jerry are doing a great job investigating the Gibraltar murder, in drops Brian like a wet sack of brownies, to make it all about himself. He goes to the casino, confronts the owner, ignores the advice of his colleague / co-worker, just off the rails all the time. Who could work with anyone like that?

I really enjoyed the chemistry between Dennis and Jerry a lot. They made their scenes work. Brian just makes everything awkward. His goodbye should have been one episode, not four.