User Reviews

Series 7 begins with a solid episode. It's not a favourite, but it has its good points, the regular team are fortunately still together, and they investigate a pretty interesting case, Sandra also has the added complication of catching up with her estranged half brother.

It does benefit greatly from the guest performances of Paul Rhys and David Bradley, both make their characters incredibly interesting, injecting life into a pretty ordinary story. Jo Stone Fewings is also good as Sandra's dishy brother.

The best scene had to be where Dennis Waterman and Amanda Redman are attacked by a martial arts expert.

Not a classic, but watchable.

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.

"Dead Man Talking" is a promising start to Season 7 and a great 'New Tricks' episode on its own. Sandra's subplot intrigues and has heart, and it was a shame that it didn't progress much further or enough when it had just been introduced.

The case is a compelling one, with its fair share of intrigue and surprises.

Visually, "Dead Man Talking" 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.

Susan Jameson is always splendid in her 'New Tricks' appearances, while Paul Rhys and David Bradley are particularly excellent in support with the most interesting supporting characters.

Overall, Season 7 gets off to a promising start with an episode that may not be a 'New Tricks' high point but still mighty fine. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Second episode with a psychic, who gets the case restarted. It's a weird way to get a case going, but does bear fruit as the team investigates some mysterious missing money and Hong Kong connections. The episode's threads are enjoyable to watch as the team unfolds them. The interactions with the psychic are fun to watch as he predicts/manipulates the team, and the team pushes against him.

There are just enough loose threads in this episode to make it enjoyable, and one perfect twist to keep us in the dark until the conclusion. While it appears to be a 'big' story at first with international intrigue, it boils down by the end to be a story of families. Three families pitted against each other, with one character stuck in the middle of both. When the threads are sewn up, it all makes sense enough.

The highlight is the understated and brilliant performance of David Bradley--some of the other guest actors in this episode should take note, but I doubt they did. The performance of Elizabeth Tan is so bad that it's distracting. And Tom Wu is maybe even worse and overcooked to the point of being embarrassing. Why don't young actors take the age-old advice of the old pros--'less is more'?