Gently Liberated

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 applies here again in the penultimate episode "Gently Liberated". 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 Liberated" 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 doesn't quite have the emotional impact of other episodes that tackled daring themes, yet there is the tension and tautness are there. Like Rachel a good deal.

Furthermore, "Gently Liberated", 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 definitely 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. The climax is satisfying. "Gently Liberated", 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 and never let go.

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, especially from Lisa McGrillis.

Overall, wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Once again wearing it's politics awkwardly on it's sleeve. A sophisticated drama would display the pros and cons of pursuing a particular political agenda: here, the female detective is allowed to join up with Womans Lib. as if it is faultless, moral imperative. Her character is remarkably annoying because she is the political Trojan of the writers: in the pursuit of celebrating female endeavour, she never professionally errs.

I've enjoyed this series but this one was disappointing, revealing Gently to be judgemental, not acknowledging how Bacchus was trying to dig into the past case or that he finally brought in the witness who led to the breakthrough. Gently has turned into an intolerant old man, and Bacchus a sad one. Rachel shone, however, both as a police officer and as someone who can show empathy with just a look. The plot itself wasn't bad - but a tad cliche these days so the viewer could predict how it was going to turn out. A disappointing episode.

Another intriguing episode of Gently. Involves a case closed 8 years previously, a case Bacchus helped close. The time since the crime makes investigations difficult, adding to the intrigue.

This is without doubt one of my all time favourite TV series from start to finish. All the acting is superb. Out of all Martin Shaws various characters that he has played George Gently is definitely my favourite one. Exceptionally sad ending as well which I won't go into here as I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who is just finding the series. If I was to find one small criticism it would be that in the final series, series 8, for some reason the director or producers seem to have decided to turn the volume of the background music up? I found it, well, not exactly in the background? I don't really know why the perfect formula used in the previous 7 series seemed to be altered in the last two episodes? But that's a very minor criticism and doesn't alter my opinion that it is definitely one of the best British drama series ever.