Moving Target

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.

"Moving Target" is another very good episode from the generally high quality Season 8. It is not the most original or surprising 'New Tricks' episode there is but there is not an awful lot wrong here.

The case still compels though with plenty of entertainment and intrigue if not many surprises.

Visually, "Moving Target" 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.

Everybody in support is solid.

On the whole, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Season 8 is my favorite season, combining the intensity/subculture based episodes of later seasons with the first team's chemistry. This episode is among the reasons why.

The mystery itself has an hit and run victim remembering that maybe the accident wasn't so accidental. His memory lost, his sister gets UCOS to reinvestigate, who of course finds the victim may be correct, and runs into the twists and turns usually found in such an episode. As a side plot, the sister is a psychologist looking at older men who are still working, combine psychological investigation with this crew......Another review wishes there were more of these, the scenes are quite fun.

Season 8 is packed with good episodes, watch it all the way through including this one.

Samantha Gerson arrives to give psychological evaluations from the team, she asks for Sandra's help, a case from years back, involving her brother, who was almost run down.

I enjoyed it, it's a good episode, but in comparison to the rest of this series, I'd say it was a little less rewarding, it's naturally well made and acted, but the story itself is just a little less interesting than some made at the time.

There are a few laughs, most of them come with the psychological evaluations, and of course there's a bit of angst, between Sandra and the investigating DI.

I love Sally Phillips, she has a nice part here, I wish she'd perhaps had more time with the guys, it could have been very funny. Alexandra Roach and the glorious Susan Lynch are both great here also.

I've never understood people getting worked up over those things.

Not a classic, but good, 7/10.