Inspector George Gently (TV Series) Gently Liberated (2017) User Reviews

I loved it.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 12 December 2020]

I thought this was a very, very accomplished, quality episode. The penultimate episode of the show is a brilliant one. A fantastic story, one that gets under the skin, a relevant, up to date story, with a sixties setting.

The softening of the relationship between Gently and Bacchus is well and truly undone here, all previous frustrations and hidden grudges spill over, the pair clash in a superb scene, poor Rachel in the middle.

I can't believe there's only one to go, I've watched these very slowly, and loved them. This is different to previous offerings, it's a very smart looking production, more heavy on the music, and definitely more atmospheric shots.

Really enjoyed Annamaria Marinca here, but it's the regulars that again stand out.

Excellent I thought, 9/10.

Righting a wrong

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 21 May 2017]

When the body is discovered in a disused waste tank at a chemical works he is quickly identified as a man who went missing eight years previously and whose wife is currently in gaol for his murder. Gently is a little surprised as it is rare for somebody to be convicted without the discovery of a body; Bacchus, who was part of the original investigation, is adamant that the conviction was solid. Whether she is guilty or not there must have been somebody else involved to move the body so he reopens the case. His superior, who is already pressuring Gently to say when he plans to retire, is not too pleased. As the investigation progresses it becomes clear that people were happy to accept that his wife did it; she is a Polish immigrant who is not 'one of us' and her husband was a war hero… it also becomes clear that he was a brute. More potential suspects and motives emerge as Gently becomes convinced of the wife's innocence; she is clearly hiding something though and Bacchus's behaviour in the previous investigation leads to a breakdown in his relationship with Gently.

This fine series is finally drawing to an end; thankfully, if this penultimate episode is anything to go by, it still has strong stories. The relationship between Gently and Bacchus has always been a bit fractious as Gently tried to make a good copper out of his junior but here it approaches breaking point because Bacchus is keen that this case isn't reopened because he knows his own conduct wasn't acceptable to Gently. Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby are both on great form as these too characters, they are ably supported by Lisa McGrillis who plays DS Rachel Coles. The rest of the cast are impressive too. The central mystery is intriguing and the resolution is plausible and satisfying given what we have learnt about the characters. The episode illustrates some of the different attitudes of the time and while it is clear which side the creators are on it doesn't feel overly preachy. Overall a fine episode; I just hope the series finale can be as good.

One of my desert island series

[bentos245 · 10/10 · 2 June 2023]

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.

Sanity Returns

[Warin_West-El · 9/10 · 4 June 2023]

Having been dragged through the mud of Season Seven. Sanity Returns in Season Eight.

Having retarded John Bacchus' personality for an entire season, the filmmakers allow us to see a Bacchus with a 70s hairstyle (No longer a Beatle-que hairdo). In the beginning of this episode he's still as pigheaded as ever. But by the end he has matured enough to admit his mistake.

George Gently has accepted the writing on the wall and is willing to "let it all hang out" as they used to say. No longer holding back, he tells John exactly what he thinks of him.

Meanwhile, Rachel Cole gets her first taste of sexist paternalism during her conversation with ACC Nicholls.

GREAT episode. A little implausible that the murder took place just as Marion Liddell stepped out to have - of all things - an abortion. But other than that, the rest seemed completely realistic and believable. And the performances were compelling.

Justice delayed is justice denied

[grantss · 8/10 · 23 August 2022]

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.

Search for the truth.

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 5 June 2018]

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

Gently Liberated

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 21 May 2017]

It is hard to believe that Inspector George Gently has been going for 10 years. This is the final two films as the makers are calling it a day. With actor Martin Shaw in his 70s and looking it, I think it is the right call.

This penultimate episode sees John Bacchus (Lee Ingleby) with sideburns and long hair signifying we are in the early 1970s as we see the fight for women's rights.

Not a moment to soon for Gently when the body of Alistair Liddell is found in a factory waste tank eight years' after his disappearance and his Polish wife serving time for his murder. Gently thinks there has been a miscarriage of justice with a foreign woman being almost brow beaten to jail.

It is not helped that Bacchus was one of the investigating officers at the time and he is loathed that the matter is reopened putting him in conflict with Gently. Bacchus has enough of the saintly Gently.

From the opening scenes with Gently's superior trying to persuade him to name his retirement day we are left in no doubt we are reaching the end and the conflict with Bacchus his long serving protégé just cements it further.

Times are certainly changing but Gently at least manages to bring a mother and an estranged daughter together.

Passed it.

[wscholes-94433 · 5/10 · 5 September 2017]

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.

Gently Judgemental

[ccmalo · 5/10 · 24 June 2020]

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.