Lady's Pleasure

Sandra thinks..is sure there was sabotage on this old case she reinvestigates, but has to find evidence, and that's where the team comes in. It's a fun episode that introduces season 3 well, with an excellent introduction for some out of character stuff. The case is pretty good as far as it goes, as the team figures out what happened.

Season 3 is my second favorite series after 8, focused more on character stuff among the crew as earlier series usually did, and it works really well in most episodes. If these out of work moments/interactions are your thing, this is a season for you.

Sandra investigates a car accident, where a woman's car failed, causing her fatality, Sandra is convinced that her husband is to blame.

It's a good start to the new series, it's a clever story, with some well rounded characters, and a sickly gigolo, it's a good story for Gerry in particular.

The scene around the dinner table was rather funny, it lightened the story.

This is the first time since the start of the show, that it's felt a bit sexy, sex sells, and this has been the first time that I felt they pushed it a little, we have the story itself, and several semi naked rugby players, we haven't really had anything like this previously.

Nicely acted, Siobhan Redmond is great as always, and Steve John Shepherd plays the part of the obnoxious gigolo very well.

Series three is going to be great, 8/10.

Pinch-face investigated an MVA five years ago. She's convinced the husband got away with murder.

She asks the UCOS crew to revive the case but she's so convinced the husband is the villain she won't listen to the boys when they keep presenting evidence that contradicts her theory.

Ball-busting a suspect isn't enough for Pullman. She starts crabbing on the boys, who tell her to take a holiday (i.e. Get laid). She invites a couple of old girlfriends and their stiff husbands over for dinner. She proves to have the social skills of a wood plank.

The investigation revolves around some mediocre birds hooking up with a gigolo on the side. A bum tattoo. And some rugby players.

The only good thing about the entire episode is the epilogue featuring Brian and Esther. To be honest, I think I'm in love with Esther. What a great character.

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 3 starts very strongly with "Lady's Pleasure". Not quite one of my favourite ever 'New Tricks' episodes, but on the spectrum for the show from top to bottom it's closer to the top. It is a great episode that is indicative of 'New Tricks' in its prime, the characters, their personal lives and chemistry are becoming stronger all the time and the show really has found its feet.

"Lady's Pleasure" doesn't really have that much wrong with it actually, for my tastes though the character moments and personal lives are a little more memorable than the case. The case is still interesting, satisfyingly resolved and the case solving is a lot of fun and intriguing to watch, but "Lady's Pleasure" is remembered by me more for how the case affects Sandra, Brian's subplot and the penguin tattoo and the funny exchange at the end with Gerry and Jack (especially Jack's answer to being invited for a drink).

Visually, "Lady's Pleasure" looks lovely, with a brighter look but never garish and always slick and stylish. 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. The story is compelling, with its fair share of surprising twists and skeletons in the closet conflict, and lively, but never rushed, pacing.

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.

Supporting cast are all solid, if not quite outstanding. Susan Jameson and her chemistry with Armstrong delights as ever.

In summary, a pleasure. 9/10 Bethany Cox