Communal Living

The UCOS team reopen the case of Justin, an 18 year old lad that went missing some years ago, after living at a Commune.

This was similar to the previous episode, in that it was very, very different, that didn't work overly well for me, this one really did, I thought it was excellent.

Great story, it's intriguing, it's moving, I loved the pressure applied by Jason's mother. The sub story of Gerry's complex relationship with his real life daughter was great, better still was Brian's story at The Commune, it was a really chilling moment, the thought of an alcoholic being placed in that position, that's nasty. Brian's demons are tackled perfectly.

The ending was great, the revelation was gritty and unexpected, so well acted.

Great cast here, Sylvia Sims, Lorcan Cranitch and Penny Downie were all great, Richard Harrington was terrific, he stole this for me.

Loved it, 9/10.

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.

Like the previous episode "Magic Majestic", "Communal Living" is a very good episode but one of my least favourites of Season 5. It does try to cram a few too many elements perhaps and for me the ending was unsatisfyingly under-cooked, not the murderer identity but how and why they committed the crime didn't add up for me considering the brutality.

Generally there is an intriguing mystery, with lots of surprises and things to keep the viewer guessing and on their toes. Brian's personal life continues to be done with heart and in a way that it's easy to empathise with him.

Visually, "Communal Living" 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 and high up in the entertainment value. This is all mixed adeptly with a seriousness without being overly so that it doesn't feel like 'New Tricks'.

A huge part of 'New Tricks' appeal is the chemistry between the four leads and their performances. The chemistry is so easy going and charming with a little tension.

One of the show's biggest delights is Alun Armstrong, achieves a perfect balance of funny comic timing and touching pathos which was maintained all the way up to his final episode. It is also lovely here to see his role in the team and skills appreciated more all the time. James Bolam's Jack is the quietest, most sensible (mostly) and most composed of the team, with a tragic personal life that Bolam portrays very touchingly without any overwrought-ness.

The only woman on the team, Amanda Redman more than holds her own in what is essentially the boss role of the four. Dennis Waterman brings some nice levity without unbalancing things.

Support is solid, without being outstanding. Interesting seeing Penny Downie again.

Overall, very interesting and well done episode with an underdone denouement (in my opinion). 8/10 Bethany Cox

A young man is found tortured and dead. Justin King was found dead in a plastic bag with many wounds.

His mother passes out pictures by a school every Tuesday for 2 years and a young girl recognized him. The mother wants to find out who killed her son. UCOS talks to the girl that knew him. She lives in a commune with her father and a bunch of other nuts. They use drugs and grow drugs and one man goes around naked and also eats at the table with the commune people. Sandra and Brian have to eat with the commune people to get answers to questions. At times you see the naked guy with no shirt on and a clear view of his butt from the back in more than one scene. I found this episode gross and offensive.

Lots of things going on. Justin's mother talks about her son and she mutters and has and English accent that is hard to understand. Brian is thinking of drinking again and is tempted. Gerry's daughter is mad at him but at the end they make up. That was the only nice thing in the episode. Justin was having sex with a 16 year old girl at the commune with her father's approval.

In the end the person accused of killing Justin does not admit it but nothing was ever brought how or if that person tortured even though it is brought up in the beginning.Gerry describes how he thinks Justin was killed and locked up and that the killer lost it then kills Justin then Gerry makes this comment "but I can't believe you meant to kill him" yeah right Gerry.

It seem like the people in this episode did not have any morals. They okay-ed each other's behavior and more. Two friends of Justin lived above a pimp that would beat his females. They ignored the beating and did nothing. Wasted people a lot like today.

The case itself is all right, as the team talks to people who saw the missing person shortly before he died and puts the events together. The commune itself works pretty well, it has some interesting characters and the team's interaction with it is fun to watch. Works out to about average.