New Tricks (TV Series) Roots (2013) User Reviews

Sandra is replaced by Sasha

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 24 September 2013]

After Sandra's departure last week it is time to introduce her replacement; DCI Sasha Miller. The first we see of her she is wearing shades and a bullet proof vest as she takes part in an armed raid! This is her final job before taking over as head of UCOS. Her first case there involves an Italian man who was murdered on an allotment and dumped in a water butt in 1988. When it becomes apparent that he first came to the UK as a prisoner of war after he was captured at Anzio it looks possible that somebody may have disliked Italians because they were on the other side in the war but it seems a long time to hold a grudge and the only two allotment holders who served in the war are long dead. The only other likely suspect is a lorry driving druid who was once arrested for assaulting a police officer at Stone Henge.

It looks as though Sasha may have a hard time fitting in as head of UCOS; Gerry in particular isn't keen on her. When they learn that she is married to a Deputy Assistant Commissioner he begins to wonder if that is what got her the job; if she is to gain their respect she will have to prove that that is not the case.

Just as Sasha as big shoes to fill taking over from Sandra so does Actress Tamzin Outhwaite taking over from Amanda Redman; comparisons are inevitable; especially given that they aren't all that dissimilar; both being attractive blondes. That said I think she got off to a decent enough start. Hopefully she will fit in with the rest of the cast and just be 'one of the regulars' soon… there is no reason she shouldn't as previous new members fitted in well and she has been good in other things. The story itself was enjoyable enough; there were a reasonable number of suspects to keep viewers guessing… in my case incorrectly! There were some decent laughs to be had; I particularly liked the shout out to Inspector Montalbano; the Italian crime drama shown on BBC4. The only potential flaw was the ending; I really hope they don't make it soapy dealing with characters relationship problems.

Good solid episode

[rpleunis · 8/10 · 2 March 2019]

Whilst the plot summary tells the headlines, the story evolves about mostly not knowing about eachother and make assumptions. This goes for the killer, victim and the UCOS team. This is perfectly shown by Tamzin in the end scene.

New lineup, fresh feel. Good episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 20 November 2022]

Newly promoted DCI Sasha Miller takes over the reigns from Sandra after successfully bringing down a gang of Russian criminals.

Enjoyed this, personally I never thought the show felt tired or slow, or stretched, it did feel different when Bolam and Armstrong left, but I'm all in favour for a bit of change. This was a solid story, the case was interesting enough, but it was more the dynamic of the new team that was the interest element.

Gerry was good here, so often in awe of Sandra, full of respect for her, it was good to see his feathers ruffled, believing his new boss for their because of nepotism.

Tamsin Outhwaite made a really good start I thought, and I'm glad that they didn't just go for another Sandra, another ball breaker, she's a little unsure, uncertain, and lacking a little confidence, I'm sure we'll see her develop. It was a nice touch bringing her in mid series I thought.

Good start to the new era, 8/10.

Yay! Welcome Sasha!!

[brennansmomma · 10/10 · 14 June 2021]

Too bad Sasha couldn't have been bought in sooner. This show was sinking with Amanda Redman, Sandra. It was obvious she was tired of being there. While James Bolan and Alum Armstrong are missed, Sasha is interesting and interested!

Good move!

The Italian Job

[safenoe · 10/10 · 3 November 2017]

Sandra is sorely missed but I really like Tamzin Outhwaite as DCI Miller, who becomes the new UCOS fresh off a Russian mafia gang raid (thankfully no dogs were harmed - watch the pilot). Gerry is the only UCOS member left although I read Dennis Waterman wanted to leave sooner rather than later.

Anyway, here the UCOS team investigate the murder of an Italian guy at an allotment, and the murderer is not as obvious at it seems. I thought the guy got murdered because of anti-Italian sentiment from WW2, but it's more nuanced.

Amidst the backdrop of the allotment is the famous Trellick Tower in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

DCI Miller is married to DAC Ned Hancock (played by Barnaby Kay who in real life is married to Nicola Walker), and Sasha uses her intuition to catch Ned having hot, passionate sex with a younger woman (the actress isn't listed in the credits) in his hotel room for the ACTPO conference.

Sasha is introduced, team is set for a series and a half

[scsaxe · 6/10 · 25 April 2022]

Italian guy was killed 25 years ago, and now the knife is found. But first, we introduce Sasha, the new head of UCOS, leading a raid on some Russians. No dogs shot this time (or kidnap victims jumping out of the window).

Than Sasha joins UCOS, and we get on this case. This particular case I'm not a fan of. Lots of UCOS cases have lots of other stuff before a final, unexpected reveal that doesn't relate to the earlier episode, but in this one the filler is much more obvious, as if the team just went with the first weirdness they saw instead of systematically investigating.

Sasha's introduction also has a lot of forced conflict that doesn't make a ton of sense. Gerry again takes the replacement poorly as with Danny, assuming she's there for reasons other than skill and getting conspirational, and its out of character after getting used to Steve quickly, being fine with Sasha leaving, and doing the same thing with Danny who turned out fine: the cranky character he's gone to isn't entertaining. The other team member have some conflict which again is strange since they were replacements as well.

Sasha as a character works well. She's clearly meant to resemble Sandra down to the name, but where Sandra was full on intense, Sasha mixes this with some social energy, trying to get the guys out and doing things. This personality mixes well with the final team compositions, the tension between Sasha's activity and the other character's response leads to fun moments over the final seasons.

Very different without the original actors

[ctyankee1 · 2 June 2015]

A new boss takes Sandra's place her name is Sasha. Sasha is blond, looks similar to Sandra but, younger, has some lip gestures like Sandra and even sounds like her. She is married to a cop. Sasha/Sandra-->it looks like they were looking for duplicate actors of the ones that left New Tricks.

Dan the new man sounds like Jack when he talks. He is very tall and thin. He is weird looking with short gray hair like bangs on his forehead. He has a handicapped daughter name Holly who has a big mouth and a wife in the mental ward.

This episode was not too bad but there was more swearing in this one 2 sexual scenes one with just sounds and the other visual. There is no humor either to speak of. Dan, Steve and Jerry are to getting to know Sasha their new boss. She finds the men work different than she is used to. They have their spats but are descent to each other. The plot of this episode was to find out who killed a man years ago in the allotment plots of land that they garden.

This was kind of dull. In the end their is sadness for Sasha when she discovers something she had not expected. I liked her character she seems kind and does not have that angry look like Sandra that reminds me of an alcoholic Oh well anyway.

Sasha comes to UCOS

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 10 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.

'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