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 12 with "Prodigal Sons" is at its halfway point, and while it is nowhere near the level of the show in its prime it is very good. One of the better episodes of the twelfth season and easily the best one since the second part of "Last Man Standing", having been somewhat disappointed by "The Curate's Egg" and particularly "The Wolf of Wallbrook".
While not as interesting as any member of the original team, Ted is more settled and Larry Lamb plays him well. The team dynamic charms and amuses and feels more natural than in the previous two episodes. Still think it doesn't sparkle anywhere as much as the original team dynamic and doesn't have its freshness.
The case very interesting and twisty, that avoids being too confusing while suitably challenging. The ending is surprising in the who and why factors, helped by that there are a sizeable number of suspects, if slightly on the rushed side.
Moreover, there are some very funny lines, particularly with Ted, and Danny's subplot here is touching without going overboard that it becomes mawkish (which thankfully it never does) and being at odds with the rest of the cast.
Visually, "Prodigal Sons" 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.
Good performances from the whole cast, Nicholas Lyndhurst standing out of the regulars. The supporting cast do well.
Overall, very good episode and one of the better ones of Season 12. 8/10 Bethany Cox