Setting Out Your Stall

UCOS are investigating the deal of a popular market stall holder, as well as several cases of rape.

My favourite episode of this series so far, it is absolutely brilliant, it's a fantastic story, it has some great characters, and some superb acting.

Gerry's scene with the jumped up market manager, Kevin Bacon, was a terrific moment. Gerry certainly doesn't hold back, and takes his vendetta....a little further.

People like the idea of rules, until they have to deal with them, was a true sentence ever said?

I loved Sheila Hancock and Sandra's mother, Redman is such a great actress, a force to be reckoned with, she needed someone equally brilliant, Hancock is that and some. Deborah Findlay is a favourite of mine, great to see her in a down to Earth role for a change, she's normally cast as the lady of The Manor.

Fabulous, 9/10.

The team reinvestigates a drugging death, possibly linked to a rapist, and gets into the victim's family and workplace at an open air market. There are a number of explored threads, but the personal drama's in a lot of them weren't that fun, and the ending finishes things but is a bit of a letdown.

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.

The previous episodes of Season 8 were very good. "Setting Out Your Stall" is even better and manages to be great, one of the best episodes of the season.

It may not have the most original of stories but the case is still compelling with enough twists and surprises to keep one guessing and on their toes.

Visually, "Setting Out Your Stall" 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'. Sandra's subplot especially has heart.

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.

Can't fault anybody in support, with Sheila Hancock, Lia Saville and Deborah Findley being particularly good.

To conclude, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox