New Tricks (TV Series) Romans Ruined (2014) User Reviews

Death of a gladiator!

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 23 September 2014]

When bodybuilder Mark Rix died of a heart attack in 2008 it was assumed that it was because of his steroid use but the UCOS team are called in when Rix' lockup is found and it contains a weapon that was used to decapitate an unknown man shortly before Rix death. The weapon in question was a replica Roman sword; Rix was obsessed with the era and made arms and armour for a local re-enactment group, which he belonged to. With the link to the headless man the team must find out if Rix did indeed die of natural causes and also identify the head which was also found in the lockup. Were the killings drug related; did Rix take his role as a gladiator far too seriously or were there other motives to the commit murders… assuming they are linked. Meanwhile Danny's life gets a bit more complicated when he finds himself smitten with the forensic anthropologist just as he learns his wife may be released from the secure unit.

With the Roman Re-enactment group taking centre stage I though this episode may be heading into 'Midsomer Murders' territory, not that I don't enjoy that programme but feared it would be wrong for this series; thankfully this turned out differently. The ultimate motivations prove to be less trivial than one might have feared and the plot was a bit more convoluted with introduction of a former undercover officer to the mix. As well as multiple suspects there are multiple mysteries; was Rix murdered and if so by who; who is the headless man and was it Rix or somebody else who killed him? All of which give the viewer plenty to guess at. The side story involving Danny's possible romance and the backstory involving his wife was sensitively handled and didn't detract from the main story; it did however add a bit more depth to the character, played by Nicholas Lyndhurst who does a fine job in the role. Overall a decent episode.

Hunting for a posthumous killer?

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 30 January 2023]

Bodybuilder Mark Rix is believed to have died of steroid abuse, a sword is found in his lockup, which the UCOS team believe was used to kill someone, had Rix killed someone before he died.

I had a feeling this was going to veer off into a bizarre direction, but after ten minutes or so, it really gets on track, and becomes another very high quality episode from this improving penultimate series.

A very pleasing plot, with several twists and turns, the outcome was totally unexpected.

It's a great episode for Danny, Lyndhurst was definitely the standout here, I was perhaps a little slow to take to Danny, and he'd definitely a smarty pants once again, but Lunch is truly terrific here.

A strong supporting cast, Liz White and Tracy Anne Oberman were excellent, I hope we get to see that latter again.

8/10.

Roman reenactment, or drugs, or something else..

[scsaxe · 7/10 · 23 April 2022]

I like how they play with us a bit after London Underground, suggesting another spooky, cultish, supernatural thing at points before going a different direction. And Fiona Kennedy is introduced.

Head and murder weapon discovered, USCOS must solve 2 linked cases as a result. The head must be identified, which means bringing in forensic person Fiona Kennedy who Dan takes a liking two, his outside story takes up a good chunk of the episode. The main mysteries have some twists, but end up as somewhat of a let down.

The episode does feel quite different than most of season 11, not as dark feeling or shot at night.

Case of the Romanian gangster

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 19 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.

"Romans Ruined" is another one of the best episodes of Season 11 and one of the better episodes of the post-prime period.

There are times in the latter stages where the episode is a touch convoluted. Actually though the case is a very interesting one, with enough twists and suspects to keep one guessing regardless of it not being exactly novel material.

Will admit to starting to get used to the new team dynamic and they work pretty well together. It is charming and likeable, if not as sparkling or fresh as the original one and none of the characters are as strong as Brian. Sorry to keep mentioning this, just my stance.

Danny's subplot fits well and is handled sympathetically and with genuine heart. It is generally one of the better done team personal life subplots in terms of feeling real and that it doesn't distract anywhere near as much as some of the others.

Visually, "Romans Ruined" 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.

The writing is thoughtful and classy and Sasha has settled well and her confidence is growing all the time.

All four leads are never less than very good, Nicholas Lyndhurst especially, and the support is solid.

On the whole, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Arrogant Danny

[Johnny_West · 3/10 · 28 March 2024]

Not sure why Danny (Nicholas Lyndhurst) came into this show like he was supposed to be a better James Bond, but in almost every episode he does a great job as a horse's bottom.

He was in the foreign corps or something, and it is hinted strongly that he was some kind of spy. If being arrogant and abrasive is the main quality, then Danny must have been a great spy.

Danny was constantly putting down Jerry (Dennis Wateman), and always putting on airs around everyone else. By comparison, Steve (Denis Lawson) was great at his job and could have a normal conversation with anyone. He was a great detective who was a nice and humble person.

So we get to the Roman reanactment games, where everyone is young and in great shape. Danny shows up to go undercover, and I had to laugh at that scene of the tall, gaunt, lumbering jackass pretending he could run with the Roman tigers. Funnier still that all the Roman club members are fawning over Danny, like he was Hercules or Spartacus reborn.

The actual mystery plods along and gets solved. The twist ending was especially "politically correct" and the main evil doer is given a free pass because the victim was a bad actor. All's well that end's well is the new motto of the new UCOS team.