The final episode of the current opens with a bang when robbers armed with Sten guns rob a bank in Newcastle just before Christmas. As they flee one of them drops his weapon; it is picked up by the security guard who decides to shoot at their departing car. The car is later found with a dead girl in the driver's seat; this leads to the protesting guard being charged with her killing and just as importantly to a group of local skinheads led by Jonjo Burdon. He and his friends a brought in for questioning but there is no evidence against then and they know it. After being released he attacks a witness; a young lad who Gently knows as he worked with his late father. With nothing else to go on Rachel has to get a haircut and go undercover in Johjo's club to find out what he is planning next; it will be a dangerous job.
This is probably the most exciting episode of the current run. The villains are genuinely frightening; especially Jonjo, Jody Latham does a fine job bringing this thoroughly unpleasant character to the screen. There is a sense that any of the major characters could come to grief; Rachel learns she has passed her sergeants' exam, Gently tells Bacchus he has MS and Bacchus appears to be getting back with his married girlfriend all clichés that indicate things could end badly for a character thankfully it doesn't end badly but right till the end I thought it might. The regular cast all put in fine performances but it is Lisa McGrillis who really shines as DC, soon to be DS, Rachel Coles; her character is strong but shows a degree of vulnerability, especially after she gets much of her hair cut off and goes into the crowded skinhead club. Overall I found this to be a great episode; I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next series.
This is probably the most exciting episode of the current run. The villains are genuinely frightening; especially Jonjo, Jody Latham does a fine job bringing this thoroughly unpleasant character to the screen. There is a sense that any of the major characters could come to grief; Rachel learns she has passed her sergeants' exam, Gently tells Bacchus he has MS and Bacchus appears to be getting back with his married girlfriend all clichés that indicate things could end badly for a character thankfully it doesn't end badly but right till the end I thought it might. The regular cast all put in fine performances but it is Lisa McGrillis who really shines as DC, soon to be DS, Rachel Coles; her character is strong but shows a degree of vulnerability, especially after she gets much of her hair cut off and goes into the crowded skinhead club. Overall I found this to be a great episode; I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next series.