Inspector George Gently (TV Series) Gently Among Friends (2015) User Reviews

Great episode, with lots of humour.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 25 October 2020]

I have never seen a bad episode of George Gently, never even seen a mediocre episode, Gently among friends is yet another episode I would class as excellent.

It revolves around a murder set against a set of troubles where the the refuse collectors are on strike.

It's great, from start to finish, an engaging mystery, with decent subjects, strong characters, and finally some fun between Gently and Bacchus. This feels like the first time the pair have shared a laugh together, the drinks scene was a terrific moment.

We almost had a Poirot style ending, very nearly, it seemed they had all been called in.

You jumped up, smarmy faced sh*** hawk, I have felt that way about Bacchus for most of the show, finally someone tells him, Cunniffe delivered that line beautifully.

Excellent, 9/10.

Good show, great episode!

[cwatson6387 · 9/10 · 27 August 2020]

Always liked this show as the 2 hour (minus adverts) gives a bit more time for character/story development. By this stage in the series the two major characters were well established and in this episode DI Bacchus (Lee Ingleby) is getting worried worried about being upstaged by a younger, smarter, female rival DC (by this stage) Coles (Lisa McGrillis).

This episode has an excellent cameo role from Vic Reeves (as Jim Moir) which is watching in itself.

Gently on a High- An Excellent Episode

[livapr99 · 9/10 · 15 May 2015]

What a terrific new episode this was, even better than last week! The investigation was great and engaging, and the main cast were on top form as per usual.

This time around, the case centres on a man who was last seen at his mate's restaurant and who seems to have taken a tumble from the towering monolith of an overpass into a pile of rubbish, still present due to the refusal of workers to collect waste until they are given better pay. Gently, Bacchus (now an Inspector- to quote Victor Meldrew, I don't believe it!) and Coles delve deeper into the victim's life, and learn that his wife- slightly unstable in her suburban home- is a heavy gambler and that he and his pals were fond of brawls together in a 'just as mates' kind of way. At the same time, Rachel stresses over her Sergeant's exam, while John struggles to even say hello to Gemma.

The story this week is executed well and is engaging until the last moment. It truly emanates the vibes given off by earlier episodes as it focuses on the bond between Gently and Bacchus, as well as their friendships with Taylor and Rachel, which are coming along nicely. There are some good laughs this week, too, with the pair becoming drunk and wandering around their office with glasses balanced on their heads, as well as Gently calling poor Taylor 'Harpo' due to a chest infection which has rendered him unable to speak. I enjoyed the fact that the issue of Bacchus and Gemma's relationship has been cleared up nicely, too- however, it's the moments between the regulars that really shine.

The suspects are intriguing and the struggle between the three men who were so close is interesting to watch. Despite the fact that there are a limited number of suspects this week, I felt surprisingly hooked on the episode and I can't fathom why! One doesn't need to over-analyse the events of the mystery, they can just enjoy this one for what it is- a stylish, well-crafted detective tale with plenty of humour and a good story at the heart of it, along with a strong bond emerging between the main three.

Witty and well-written, this series of George Gently is fast becoming one of my favourites!

The best of friends

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 13 May 2015]

When a man's murdered body is found in a rubbish heap under Newcastle's High Level Bridge there are two clues to his identity; a pawn ticket and a betting slip… however when tracked down they lead to two different names. It is clear that they are aliases as both names are those of men famous in Newcastle's past. After a couple of days a woman comes in to report her husband, Scott Parker, missing and identifies the dead man. It turns out on the night of Scott's death he had been at a party with lifelong friends Michael Woodruff, a bolshie union leader, and Petey Magath, the owner of an American themed bar. Both of these men admit the evening ended roughly with chairs being broken but state that Scott was alive when they last saw him. Gently is convinced that one or both of them was involved but proving it may be impossible. The investigation shows that Scott had disagreements with both friends but he was also heavily in debt thanks largely to his wife's gambling problems and the money lenders still want their pound of flesh.

This was another good episode with a decent number of suspects and a similar number of motives. There is less in the way of social commentary than previous episodes this series although it isn't entirely absent. The guest cast did a solid job, especially Adrian Bower as Michael, Anthony Flanagan as Petey and Louise Brealey as Scott's wife Jo. Some viewers may find the conclusion unsatisfying but I thought it was good; sometimes it is good for a mystery to go unsolved even if the viewers are given the privilege of being shown what happened. None of the guest characters are particularly sympathetic; even the victim was unpleasant in life but that didn't spoil the story either. Away from the case Rachel takes her sergeant's exam but we will have to wait till next time to see whether she passed.

Intriguing episode

[grantss · 8/10 · 21 August 2022]

ANother good episode of Gently. Intriguing, as always, with a few good twists and turns. The banter between Bacchus and Coles also gets ramped up, to humourous effect.

An accurate depiction of proletariat hypocrisy.

[kindofblue-78221 · 10/10 · 24 April 2022]

Growing up in the 60s and 70s in a Northern steel town gives one a certain insight into the politics this episode addresses.

Gently has to deal with the working classes who want nothing more than to exploit their peers and join the capitalist elite the purport to abhor.

They tell people one thing whilst doing the other. That's how they get rich. They love exploiting the poor and downtrodden. They especially love doing this to their closest friends.

Yes this is a bleak depiction. It's also appallingly accurate.

Many of those who are wealthy now are those who were fighting on the picket lines back then.

This episode is a story of deceit, lies, manipulation and murder.

Perfect Gently.

George and his usual entourage are on top form.

This is yet another high quality episode with some nice humour and all done in the best of taste.

George Gently is about honour. He's a bit of a Thomas Magnum in that respect where the greater good is what life should be about.

Martin Shaw never had to carry any episodes and the whole cast are always perfectly balanced.

A sadly realistic story as anyone growing up in this era would surely know.

Or maybe the truth is just too painful for them.

Murder among friends

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 4 June 2018]

As a huge fan of detective/crime/mystery series, there is the admission that it took me a while to start watching 'Inspector George Gently', worrying as to whether it would appeal to me for "can't put my finger on it" reasons other than being young at the time and not being as knowledgeable of the period. Getting into the show eight years ago and continuing to watch it without fail, it turned out to be simply wonderful and actually became a favourite.

After a very solid, if still settling, start in "Gently Go Man", it felt like 'Inspector George Gently' started to hit its stride with "The Burning Man" and that continued with "Bomber's Moon". The show hit a high point with "Gently with the Innocents" and the high point standards nearly applies here again in "Gently Among Friends". There is a lot here that is particularly good about 'Inspector George Gently' and it shows that it is not at all hard to see why the show appeals to many.

"Gently with the Women" shows 'Inspector George Gently' still delivering on a consistent level, no bad episodes up to this point. It is indicative that the show has found its feet and hit its stride. It delivers on providing a good mystery well worth investing in, though it could have done with a more satisfying conclusion that felt more complete.

However, "Gently Among Friends", like the rest of the show, looks great, often beautiful. It is strikingly filmed and the scenery and period detail are atmospheric, handsome and evocative, a lot of work and care went into re-creating the period and it shows loud and clear. The music is stirring and haunting, dynamic with what's going on and never intrusive.

The writing has a lot of thought-provoking intelligence and balances subtle humour and drama very well and executing both individually just as well. The direction is alert and accommodating and the story is easy to follow and absorbing with a good deal of suspense. "Gently Among Friends", and 'Inspector Gently' in general, is very interesting for how British law was like in the 60s and how much it's changed and come on compared to now.

Love the chemistry between Gently and Bacchus, one of the most interesting and well-contrasted detective/crime/mystery drama pairings (perhaps the most interesting since Morse and Lewis). The two couldn't have more different personalities and how they gel and clash entertains and intrigues. Both are fascinating characters, and became even more fascinating as the show progressed.

Can't fault the acting, the continually brilliant performances from Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby here and throughout the show are career highs for both actors. All the support is good.

Overall, excellent. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Not an enjoyable whodunit

[girob-1 · 4/10 · 12 July 2015]

This episode is fine if you like well acted drama, police department politics and violence. The characters are excellent, the period settings, dress, hairstyles and props, such as cars, are very well assembled. If you thought you wanted to watch a clever solving of a crime, with a complete ending, then this episode is not for you. The gratuitous violence is OK for a drama or soap opera, but is not necessary for what has been previously a well constructed crime solving series. The continuation of the Bacchus/Gemma affair is also not necessary for a police series. If this continues to be just drama, without any constructive solutions to the crime, then I will not be watching any more. However, I fear there seems a chance that this series of 4 episodes may be the last anyway.