New Tricks (TV Series) Bermondsey Boy (2014) User Reviews

Regeneration

[safenoe · 7/10 · 6 November 2017]

One thing I've noticed is that many of the end credits in the final 3 or so seasons of New Tricks ends with a serious guitar rendition instead of Dennis Waterman's It's all right, and I think it's because of the sad and serious endings. I know earlier seasons had mournful endings, but maybe the writers got more reflective as the series progressed.

Season 11 is the first season since season 8 where there's been no cast changes, and I actually like the new team (with Gerry there until season 12) although Dan's superhero powers would even make Stan Lee blush.

A bit long in the tooth but still fairly enjoyable

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 23 August 2014]

As Gerry, the only original character, is having a rather uncomfortable meal with his daughter and prospective son in law he spies somebody he knows; friend turned criminal Ralph Paxton. It turns out the old lag wants Gerry's help; his grandson died while he was in prison and he claims he was murdered by his former partner in crime in order to get his hands on some stolen jewellery. Soon the UCOS team are on the case but it quickly becomes apparent that Paxton may have been less than honest with Gerry.

This was a decent enough start to the new series although with only Dennis Waterman remaining from the original cast one must wonder how long it can soldier on; the new cast members are pretty good but they aren't the 'old favourites' promised by the continuity announcer before the programme started. As we've come to expect the mystery had a few twists and turns before it was solved and there were a suitable number of laughs along the way; the best being when Nicholas Lyndhurst's Danny Griffin deals with a suspect who acts in a threatening manner. Overall it was an enjoyable way to pass an hour but I can't help feeling when it is finally cancelled fans will be content to watch repeats of 'the classic team' rather than being upset.

Gerry's story, and an intro to the new series

[scsaxe · 6/10 · 25 April 2022]

One of Gerry's contacts has him reinvestigate a case, his son died, and he has reason to think it was murder. The son was going to rise up in the world, o to college, work as an architect...and it got cut short. The story itself is pretty bleak, but has a somewhat happy ending, as much as this sort can have.

The case itself is o.k., and while investigating we see Danny show some surprising skills. Outside of work storylines aren't much there apart from Gerry.

Season 11 as a whole is my least favorite season, for a few reasons. Lots of episodes ae for whatever reason shot in dark places: dark buildings or at night, which makes the show just feel worse/bleaker (This episode has this problem). A lot of humor is missing, Gerry's chemistry with this new group isn't as good, and a lot of his storylines are obvious cliche as the old fashioned guy adapting to new situations. (you can see the difference with next season, Ted fits much better and makes the group more fun, though I still think trading Dan for another character would help even more.) A lot of the cases just don't catch me for whatever reason, whether its the cases themselves or something about the show is hard to tell.

Not a favourite of mine.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 17 December 2022]

Gerry is approached by an old friend, Ralph Paxton to open an old case. Gerry also has to deal with daughter Caitlin's new husband, who he takes a dislike to.

I've worked my way though the whole series, and this is the first time I feel that it's suffering a little fatigue, no complaints with the cast, but the storyline isn't hugely interesting, and The UCOS team in general are a little blank, compare this 2itj any episode from maybe series three or four, and you'll see what I'm trying to explain, no throwing around of ideas, no banter, they were just a little lacking.

David Hayman put in a good performance as Paxton, arguably someone of his talent deserved better.

Thank goodness for Gerry, it really was his story, and Waterman was great, he held it together, even if he was a little grumpy. Danny was just irritating here, the arrest scene was cringe worthy.

Hopefully the series will pick up, this was a pretty average start.

6/10.

Bermondsey Boy

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 13 March 2018]

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.

'New Tricks' was past its best by now, with integral characters no longer with us, but was certainly not an unwatchable period. For me, "Bermondsey Boy" was a decent start for Season 11 but could have been better.

While it is charming, witty and likeable, the chemistry between the leads was stronger in 'New Tricks' prime era (Seasons 1-9 when characters that made the show (especially Brian, which the show wasn't the same without when he left) were still there. Prime-era 'New Tricks' also had more spark and freshness.

Gerry's subplot is one that those in the same situation would identify with. It is wittily done, especially in the chemistry between Gerry and Caitlyn, and does a decent job in trying to keep the remaining member of the original team interesting but it did to me distracted slightly from the case.

"Bermondsey Boy's" case is fun, well paced and intriguing, though not the most twist-filled story 'New Tricks' has ever had and not the most surprising one either, more suspects would have helped.

Sasha is more settled in and more confident as a leader, and Tamzin Outhwaite does a very good job again. She works very well too with the other three leads.

Visually, "Bermondsey Boy" 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, with a nice mix of the comedic (Nicholas Lyndhurst has his funniest moment up to this point of the show) and the serious.

Cannot fault any of the performances, which are never less than solid. The leads are great, as is David Heyman. The chemistry as said is far from perfect but it works well enough.

Overall, pretty good though not the best 'New Tricks' has to offer. 7/10 Bethany Cox