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.
"Part of a Whole" is a very interesting try at doing something relatively different, and while it was not entirely successful it was generally done very well. It is grittier and more darkly sombre than can usually be seen, but the gritty elements have tension and while humour is kept at relative minimum there was enough entertainment value to keep things from being overly serious.
The story is an absorbing and clever one, if at times over-complicated and like there was too much going on and with not enough breathing space.
Really liked that there was more of Strickland and loved his role here. Likewise with Fisher in a very worthy last episode for him. The team are not featured prominently sadly and are somewhat underused, but when they are present they are a sheer delight and their chemistry, a huge part of why 'New Tricks' is as good as it is in its prime years, sparkles.
Visually, "Part of a Whole" 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. The chemistry between the characters and cast entertains, charms and has some intensity.
Alun Armstrong balances comic timing and pathos brilliantly, and Amanda Redman does the same with authority and class. Dennis Waterman entertains while also bringing suitable grit and Denis Lawson has really settled in well now. Anthony Calf gets to do some of his best work of the show, and Tim McInnernny plays a slimeball to perfection.
In conclusion, largely successful but not entirely try at being different. 7/10 Bethany Cox