London Underground

Episode aired Sep 15, 2014
TV-14TV-14
1h 2min

7.6/10

S11.E5

When film critic Oliver Houghton's corpse is found in a sewer Sasha is reluctantly forced to work with Ned as Oliver had been a witness in the unsolved case of gay artist David Straka two de... Read allWhen film critic Oliver Houghton's corpse is found in a sewer Sasha is reluctantly forced to work with Ned as Oliver had been a witness in the unsolved case of gay artist David Straka two decades earlier. Both men were drowned and Danny sees the river Fleet as a link since it fea... Read allWhen film critic Oliver Houghton's corpse is found in a sewer Sasha is reluctantly forced to work with Ned as Oliver had been a witness in the unsolved case of gay artist David Straka two decades earlier. Both men were drowned and Danny sees the river Fleet as a link since it featured in David's last project. David's friend Ruth Shireen tells the team that David and O... Read all

7.6/10

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When film critic Oliver Houghton's corpse is found in a sewer Sasha is reluctantly forced to work with Ned as Oliver had been a witness in the unsolved case of gay artist David Straka two decades earlier. Both men were drowned and Danny sees the river Fleet as a link since it featured in David's last project. David's friend Ruth Shireen tells the team that David and Oliver got involved with the occult due to the unpleasant Cyril Watkins though Cyril, now Cecily after gender realignment, explains that there was no harm intended. However a woman playing the part of a sacrificial victim in David's film about the mysteries of the Fleet accidentally died. A trip to the sewers locates her corpse and Sasha beats Ned to finding out her identity and solving both cases. —don @ minifie-1

Goofs
Shortly after 32 minutes, Sasha asks "From who?" rather than "From whom?". Proof reading and sub-editing should catch basic grammatical errors not in keeping with the character.

Quotes
Gerry Standing: So we're looking for a connection between this bloke Straka, drowned on the heath by somebody he picked up there, and a film critic who ends up dead in a sewer twenty years later. Now, with all due respect, guv'ner, there are three seasoned cops here who'll tell you there's bugger all in this.
Steve McAndrew: Yeah.
Danny Griffin: Two!
Gerry Standing: Eh?
Danny Griffin: Two. This seasoned cop has just spotted something interesting.

Connections
References The X-Files (1993)

Soundtracks
It's Alright
Written by Mike Moran
Sung by Dennis Waterman

Top review

8/10

London Underground

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.

"London Underground" is one of the best episodes of Season 11 and one of the better episodes of the post-prime period and since "The Rock".

There is a lot more right than there is wrong. It is agreed that suspects are too few that the reveal are not surprising and actually obvious too early. Same with that the whole Sasha and Ned plot line distracts a little and doesn't contribute enormously.

It is an interesting case though, an odd one but still very engaging and actually am slowly getting used to the new team dynamic. 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.

Visually, "London Underground" 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 and the support is solid.

Concluding, well done episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox

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