New Tricks (TV Series) Ghosts (2014) User Reviews

A rather old case

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 10 September 2014]

When an old woman, who suffers from dementia, reports a murder the team have a very old case to investigate. When her husband, a policeman, disappeared in 1956 everybody assumed he had fallen into the river while drunk but no body was found. It seems like the investigation could be over almost before it started as the woman has forgotten that she reported a murder by the time the team arrive to talk to her. Sasha doesn't want to drop the case just yet though. As they start talking to the few people left from the time it starts to become apparent that the policeman with an apparently impeccable record actually had a gambling problem and a propensity for violence. Away from the main case Gerry wants to know which of the team stole his sausage roll, Sasha's friend is trying to get a man for her and Steve's son has been arrested for possession of a class B drug.

After a weak start to the current series things have improved and this one is possibly the best yet. The case is also one of the oldest the team have investigated; it is also quite tragic. While it looks unsolvable I doubt many viewers will think the team won't ultimately resolve the case. The more we learn about the case the sadder it gets… and the less sympathy we have for the presumed dead policeman. The subplot involving Gerry's sausage roll provides some comedy relief without distracting too much from the main story, Steve and Sasha's side-stories didn't add too much to the episode but presumably will lead somewhere later in the series.

Ghosts from the past

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 18 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.

Found the previous Season 11 episodes to be decent, but "Ghosts" is a step up and one of the better episodes from the season. There is not much wrong here, realism is not an issue here as has been justified already in another review or the serious tone, which came over very poignantly actually.

Did find that the team's personal stories were not quite as interesting as the case, which is compelling, more twisty than most Season 11, and latter seasons in general, episodes and tragic with one of the show's sadder endings beautifully done.

While it is charming and likeable enough, 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.

Visually, "Ghosts" 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.

The writing is thoughtful and classy and despite the seriousness Gerry brings some welcome humour that balances well in a way that doesn't jar. Sasha has now settled well and has confidence as a leader.

Cannot fault any of the performances, which are never less than solid. The leads are great, and while the chemistry as said is far from perfect it works well enough and they connect decently. Ann Firbank is very heartfelt as Nancy, actually felt for her.

Overall, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Every bromance goes through a rough patch.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 15 January 2023]

An elderly lady walks into the local Police Station wearing her dressing gown, to report that her husband who disappeared back in 1956 was murdered.

I don't think this eleventh series started off particularly well, the first two episodes were very ropey, however the previous episode saw an improvement, this fourth feels like the show is well and truly back on track. Excellent throughout, with a truly sad ending.

A very good storyline, one which may have worked on a somewhat heavier series, like Waking the Dead or Silent Witness.

A good personal story for Steve, I enjoyed the scenes where he is also called in to deal with a problem with son Stuart, and we get to meet his ex wife, Julie Graham was excellent.

I loved the use of humour, that felt like it came from an earlier time, that scene where Gerry was mistaken for a resident in The Nursing Home was hilarious, as was the case of the stollen sausage roll.

Nancy was such a lovely, sweet character, it's a terrific performance from Ann Firbank.

9/10.

Sad ending

[safenoe · 9/10 · 10 November 2017]

Here we learn about Steve's embittered ex-wife, both of whom point the finger at each other because their son was busted for drug possession. I like Steve (he was Wedge in Star Wars IV, V and VI) and he fits in well into UCOS.

Season 11 is the first since season 8 where there are no cast changes, and the team gel well.

The ending was tragic and unexpected.

I wish New Tricks went longer than 12 seasons.

Spoilers - good realistic episode

[eviebwrites · 10 April 2017]

I love new tricks. Just watching this episode now. Other reviewers have suggested this episode less than realistic.

Women are often victims sadly. Even now 2 women a week are killed by men who claim to love them. Another point of fact, teen and illegitimate pregnancy was at a fairly high rate in 1950 when Nancy would have had her eldest, not unusual to have a teen illegitimate pregnancy and marry the father later. And 15 wouldn't have been considered overly young as majority of working class 15 year olds were working full time then.

The acting by the older guest cast is superb, and I felt tapped into the way it often was then. 'It's between man and wife' 'none of our business', the younger actors portraying the older guest characters are a bit over the top. A problem that often occurs when actors are acting 'out of their time' I've noticed.

While as I said I love new tricks, I don't think this was the right plot for this show. It's a lighter show than other police procedurals with occasional comedic scenes and that detracts from the seriousness of what Nancy went through and how awful her husband was.

UCOS investigates a really old case

[scsaxe · 5/10 · 23 April 2022]

An old woman losing her memory says her husband was murdered, and UCOS investigates.

The big problem with this episode is enough evidence and witnesses still being around to solve the case. UCOS gets lucky (how convenient. :) ) like this a lot, but it is really obvious/not as plausible in this episode.

The case itself isn't particularly complicated, and the main obstacle is jogging people's memories.

Good suspense but

[ctyankee1 · 26 October 2015]

This is the sorry of a senile woman named Nancy who leaves her senior residence, gets on a bus in her nightgown (with money right?!) goes to the police station and tell the cops she knows something about a murder.

UCOS investigates and hears a that her husband Jimmy who was a cop was drunk and fell in the river. His body was never found. It seems the people in that neighborhood were afraid of Jimmy because he was a cop and because he beat his wife and no one would say or do anything.

UCOS gets a hold of Nancy's medical records and seems she was beaten a lot and they think by her husband who was an alcoholic and a gambler. Nancy has a son who interferes when UCOS questions his mother. He looks like he is in his 50's and knows his mother has mental problems.

USCO takes Nancy back to where she used to live to spark her memory. Nancy goes near the fireplace in the house that is 80% bricked up and a few bricks on the ground. This house was sold by the son to pay for his mother's care but no one lives in it. We are supposed to believe that the fireplace was never used or the sold house occupied. UCOS has the house examined to see if they could find Jimmy's body but they find the bones of a baby about 6 months but pre-born wrapped and buried in the fireplace.

A black man named Harry who lived across the street now claims he killed Jimmy. Jimmy owed Harry money. UCOS feels like he is protecting someone they think it is Nancy.

Danny goes to Peggy Butler a friend of Nancy's. Peggy says Jimmy punch Nancy in the belly and she miscarried. Now they know why the baby was 6 months old before he was born and died.

The story was good but as usual that made women the victims and lets them get off the hook.

First of all Nancy was 79 years old and they claim the husbands disappearance was in 1956. That would make Nancy 21 years old and her son is supposed to be 6 years old and she has a baby on the way. Years later Nancy goes on a bus in a night gown and no money? The story is unbelievable.

Nancy did not kill her husband but she knew who did and how he died. The men ask Sasha if she will be arrested and Sasha says "I think she suffered enough don't you?"

Sasha meets her female friend in a bar and the woman say "Christ" and the friend comments on the way Sasha looks. Sasha says it been one of those days.

I hate when anyone uses "Christ" in a disrespectful way.

It has some humor, Gerry thinks someone stole his sandwich so he makes a big stink and fights with Steve. Steve also has a problem with his son using drugs.

So in general the story is hard to believe, and women yet again made and excuses made for their lying and criminal activity.