User Reviews

Brian is suspended for publicly assaulting a former colleague, one he believed was partlet to blame for the death of a young lad, as resourceful as ever, Brian still finds himself on a UCOS team, this time in Gibraltar.

They certainly went all guns blazing on this opening episode of the tenth series, it's an intriguing storyline, Brian's faux Pas adds a bit of extra spice, and the Gibraltar setting adds a pretty special extra element.

It's intriguing, it's funny, it's visually very appealing. The humour worked so well, Gibraltar's monkeys were obviously going to cause mayhem, and they did.

It really does feel like the beginning of the end for Brian, it's hard to see him coming back from this. So often the one that steals the show, it's going to be hard to watch when Armstrong delivers.

Vincent Regan and Dhafer L'Abidine were both excellent, but it was Armstrong that stole the show.

Excellent start, 9/10.

In this two part episode, UCOs helps some Navy Seals to stop a nerve gas attack on San Fransisco from Alca...whoops, sorry, wrong Rock.

In this episode, UCOS investigates the murder of a shipping owner's son, with a second cold case in Gibraltar tacked on with the same murder weapon involved. The investigation leads to Gibraltar, with the usual twists and turns in the new location. And the episode makes great use of the location, the sunny, seaside action is enjoyable to watch. Working with UCOs is the local cold case (among many other duties) officer Cruz, who can give as good as he gets bantering with Gerry, while bringing solid skills to the investigations.

Meanwhile, the Anthony Kaye plot thread from season 1 is brought back, as Brian confronts a policeman who contributed to the death. A hearing at the end gives Brian the chance to prove wrongdoing, but the way he handles it interferes with the case's investigation, and acts as a background story through the main investigation.

The mystery itself isn't any more complicated than usual for this show, but the location, Brian's story, and how UCOS discover what happened makes for a highly enjoyable episode.

1. They miss Jack dreadfully. McAndrew is OK, but they miss the fourth leg of the table that Jack provided, and in particular his experience and cold eye, as well as his crucial support for Sandra. 2. The "naughty boys" angle with Gerry and McAndrew is clichéd and overdone. 3. Brian's "oddities" are similarly overplayed. So many scenes in this episode we have seen before. 4. This storyline can't possibly justify a double episode. There were many longeurs in this. It often seemed like a travelogue for Gibraltar. Was the travel industry involved, as in the recent Woody Allen films?

In conclusion, very little joy for two fans who've loved the series from the start - until recently. I suppose we all have to accept the sell-by date is long gone! Great telly in the good years.

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.

Season 9 ended on a very interesting and pretty good if slightly disappointing note. "The Rock: Part One" starts off Season 10 brilliantly in an entertaining, emotional and hugely intriguing episode that feels more like 'New Tricks' than the last two episodes of the previous season did and also feels fresh. Both parts of the two-part "The Rock" are among the best episodes of the later seasons and definitely the high-point of Season 10.

"The Rock: Part One's" story keeps one guessing and on their toes right up to the tense cliffhanger.

As said Jack is much missed and added a huge part to 'New Tricks', but luckily Steve is a nice addition settled in incredibly well, he feels part of the team and it is like he has been there for longer. The dynamic in the team feels more settled and accepting generally and Denis Lawson continues to add a good deal in his own way.

Visually, "The Rock: Part One" 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 in a gentle but sparkling way and high up in the entertainment value. This is all mixed adeptly with a moving seriousness without being overly so that it doesn't feel like 'New Tricks'.

A huge part of 'New Tricks' appeal is the chemistry, which is so entertaining and charming with some nice tension.

Denis Lawson has settled in very well, while Amanda Redman balances authoritative boss and loyal friend/colleague beautifully and Dennis Waterman brings levity and grit. The supporting cast are also solid. It, and the second part, is Alun Armstrong's episode though, Armstrong's superb balance of comic timing and pathos was always one of 'New Tricks' consistently best elements and all that can be seen, as well as a wider emotional range than before which Armstrong conveys in an utterly transfixing way.

Overall, fabulous way to start off the tenth season and it makes one sad that very soon the show would not feel the same again. 10/10 Bethany Cox

My wife and I have been great fans of this program in the past. I've seen 4 episodes in the 2013 season and they're nowhere near the quality of New Tricks' best years. The 4 episodes play on Brian being phased out of the series and try to wring as much emotion as possible from this and other situations. Sandra verbally abuses Brian unmercifully in one of these episodes, which, since we're sympathetic to Brian and his problems seems like overkill. Many scenes are played like a soap opera. There's way too much yelling and emotional exaggeration. Somehow the gentle humor of the original team is replaced with a lot of awkward moments and drawn-out tearful reflections. When we watch mysteries we're mainly interested in solving the mysteries and the personal lives of the team should add to the story, not detract from it. I'd say that the writing just isn't up to par, though I also appreciate the difficulties of creating a show with the chemistry of the original cast disrupted by changing personnel. I'd just say the show is past its prime.

Jack is gone, and his classy personality and thoughtful attitude is sorely missed.

This episode focuses on Brian, and what a drag that is. Brian goes to the retirement party of some old guy he blames for the death of the kid that was in his custody, and which got Brian retired / kicked off the Metropolitan Police. Brian assaults the old man, because he figures that his assault will force a disciplinary hearing and he will get to bring up all the dirty laundry.

Brian got blamed for the death of a detained suspect because Brian was drunk and left the kid alone in a cell, at the police station. Brian wanted to go outside to smoke a fag (cigarrette). He told some other guys to take care of the kid, and they ignored Brian, because nobody likes him. The kid dies in the cell while drunken Brian is out smoking.

Brian gets the blame, and spends the next ten seasons griping and complaining that it was not his fault. But it was. He was drunk, he left the kid, and the kid died.

The fact that nobody took charge of the kid when a drunken copper shirked his job responsibilities is whose fault? Whose fault is it that Brian has no friends that want to do him a favor and cover for his incompetence?

After the disciplinary hearing, his nemesis, Embleton admits he let the kid die by not watching him. Why would Embleton do that? The hearing was over, and Embleton had outsmarted Brian, so why would he make a terrible admission against himself? Of course Brian has taped the confession, and gives the tape to the kid's Mother, so presumably she can sue the Police Department.

Brian subsequently is suspended off the UCOS squad. In spite of that, Brian travels to Gibraltar to "help" the other two guys that are investigating a murder. Brian marches to his own drum, disrespects Sandra, and her boss, and everyone else. He is mentally disturbed and out of control.

It is too bad that in season 10 they decided to write Brian as an unhinged, narcissistic, obsessed character. His last few episodes are sadly disturbing and hard to watch. The writers really tore down a lot of New Tricks positive team history.