Peace & Love

George Gently is from several perspectives one of the best of the British detectives series, but seeing Warren Clarke immediately arouses suspicions he will be the culprit, first because of his prominence, and second because he appears to enjoy playing villains when he isn't playing detectives himself. The shows are well-plotted and acted, and, since I was in college myself at this time, the '60s atmosphere, while a bit overdone, is nevertheless very well done, except, I noticed, for the Venetian blinds. And although the topics are handled well, their anachronism is still a bit too obvious, if not in something like the Irene Huss class. This episode reflects on the observation that love, like it or not, infrequently breeds war, as much as, on feminism and homosexuality. But what sets this series apart from many others is that not everything which happens is made into a smoking gun or a morality play. Sgt Bacchus' father-in-law is inexplicably replaced, and I think could just as well have been omitted, or retired, etc. Myanna Buring is a great vamp, as small girls often are, and whom I fully expected John to fall for, reminding me she did nude modeling at that age, if I'm not mistaken.

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", though dipping ever so slightly with "Peace and Love". 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.

"Peace and Love" is not quite one of my favourite episodes from 'Inspector George Gently'. Nonetheless it is indicative that the show has found its feet and hit its stride. Let down only by the culprit being a little too obvious too early thanks to a lack of subtle writing for the character and how they are characterised.

However, "Peace and Love", 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, despite having an air of familiarity at times and not as rich as other stories for other episodes, is easy to follow and absorbing with a good deal of suspense. "Peace and Love", 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, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Another excellent investigation for the charismatic duo. The case is interesting, the acting fantastic, but once again it's the fascinating relationship between the two lead characters that's so enthralling, several years in, and I'm still unsure if the pair like eachother or not, it's so well crafted, Bacchus is such a player, Gently so sturdy and refined.

Great writing, with some incredible well rounded characters, Sarah Lancashire and MyAnna Buring were great, but Warren Clarke I thought was fantastic, really stealing the show.

Some great scenes, the scene where Bacchus realises Gently has taken him into a gay bar was funny, but the ending was utterly gripping.

This show never seems to disappoint. 9/10

After the brilliant, multi-layered, multi-time "Gently Evil", it's a bit of a reversion to the norm for the Gently series. A conventional whodunnit, with a bit of mid-60s teenage rebelliion thrown in. Quite interesting and intriguing.