Congratulations

Like Hanson is free from prison after 8 years for a crime of arson, a crime he didn't commit, he wants answers.

This is an outstanding end to the third series, a glorious end to what's been a phenomenal series.

Where do you even begin with this, there is so much content, it's loaded with riches, the Sandra story, Brian's past time,the revelation about Mary, and of course there's the appearance of Hannah Waterman.

A wonderful cast assembled here, Kevin Whateley, Joe Absolom and David Troughton all shine.

Great episode, 10/10.

The cliffhanger, is that perhaps the best part?

In 2001, Luke Hanson was charged with burning down his school, thanks to the evidence of the headmaster, Andrew Simson. Five years into his sentence, new evidence linking Hanson to a robbery which took place at the same time as the arson attack earns him early release. Free and allegedly reformed, Hanson now wants his case reinvestigated to find out who really was responsible for the fire, as the detective drama continues. He seeks out Halford to help right the wrongs of his past. Meanwhile, Gerry finds himself pursuing an investigation of a more personal nature.

At a rebuilt Luscombe School, Hanson is welcomed by Simson as he gives a talk to pupils about life in prison. The two men appear to have made their peace.

However, the team also has other matters to sort out. Jack has some unfinished business with Luke's father, Ricky Hanson and decides to rattle his cage suspecting he may well have framed his own son but Jack's pursuit of Hanson Snr reveals more than he bargained for. Meanwhile, DAC Strickland encourages Pullman to apply for promotion as Head of the Murder Squad – a job she would most certainly get. Not wanting to unsettle the team, she keeps news of the possible promotion to herself.

Gerry gets a bit of a shock when a young woman, Emily Driscoll, arrives at his flat claiming to be his daughter. Shock soon turns to pride when Standing discovers that Emily also works for the police and the two share other similarities – she is a chip off the old block. But Brian persuades Gerry to show a little caution over Emily's claims and suggests he takes her DNA to prove he is her biological father. Sandra is appalled when she discovers that Gerry has been completely abusing the system for his own personal investigation but she has bigger worries on her mind – does she leave UCOS?

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.

"Congratulations" to me is the best episode of a largely great Season 3, a terrific end to the season and a perfect example of what 'New Tricks' is all about. It has a lot of classic 'New Tricks' humour, an intriguing case where things are more than it initially seems to be, fun team rapport and a riveting subplot with Jack that provides major development for the character and future events for the show.

Visually, "Congratulations" 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 fun, diverting and twisty. One feels sorry for Jack, the school fire case avoids being over-shadowed too much and is resolved satisfying (though the culprit was not a massive shock) and the cliffhanger ending is tense.

It also does a great job introducing the viewer to one of the show's nastiest pieces of work in Ricky Hanson, a character that one dislikes intensely well before the big revelation and even more so afterwards. Gerry's subplot could have distracted but just about avoids that.

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.

Kevin Whately and especially David Troughton make excellent guest appearances and Anthony Calf proves why he is deservedly one of the longest-serving cast members.

Overall, terrific. 10/10 Bethany Cox

The case itself is a typical New Tricks one; school burns down, team investigates possible threads. Improving this episode are a fun intro, Brian getting into wargaming (and of course doing well, anything less would be beneath the mighty Lane.), and introducing Ricky Hanson who will show up over the next three seasons. It's a worthy ending to a good series.

The UCOS team has to listen to the self-pitying drivel of a guy who can't speak a recognizable form of English. He was convicted of burning down a school. Now he's out of stir and doing speaking engagements telling kids not to play with matches or something.

Amanda has to balance the demands of the case with the possibility of taking a promotion to head of the Homicide Division.

During the investigation into the school fire, we get treated to some tabletop war games and the personalities involved. Brian really gets into it, naturally.

There are some tense interactions with a menacing villain played by David Troughton, with whom Jack has had serious previous involvement (to stay the least).

Karl Johnson as the badly burned school janitor, Kevin Whately as the school principal, Joe Absolom as the villain's son, and Michael Thomas as a war-gamer all hold up their end of the bargain in a top-notch season finale.

The arsonist's confession is one for the ages. And the cliffhanger, woah.

The B plot involves Gerry finding out he's got a long-lost daughter - played by none other than Hannah Waterman - from a relationship in the mid-70s. Waterman could realy bring it when he toned down the angry persona and acted like a normal human being. He has several very touching scenes that, if you weren't already a huge fan of his from his Minder days (as I am) you will be by the end of this episode.

Taken as a whole, I'd say Series 3 belongs to Brian (Alun Armstrong). His professional and personal life really got fleshed out into a fascinating, flawed, immensely likeable human being, with his wife Esther (Susan Jameson) every bit his equal.

If I had watched New Tricks in real time I think it would have driven me crazy waiting for the next series to show up. The show is that good, and the finale is tremendous.