New Tricks Father's Pride (2003–2015) Online

Gerry gets the shock of his life when he learns his favorite Chelsea football hero is a homosexual and runs a florist business to boot! Fancy that!! I'm relieved Gerry didn't go spouting his PC, political correctness and all that.

Anyway, Sandra gets quite friendly with an artist type, and in the final scene she and him meet to lay down the rules of their relationship. No holds barred that's for sure.

Gerry's daughter (played by Dennis Waterman's real life daughter Hannah Waterman) appears as a cop working undercover. We also experience and feel the cold and wet London weather, which is so well captured in New Tricks.

Surprisingly, when I rated this episode on IMDb, it had only 60 votes, compared to the around 100 votes other New Tricks episodes gets.

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 4 previously was consistently wonderful. While still a strong episode, "Father's Pride" sees the season stumbling a little. The whole Gerry's daughter subplot is not as interesting as the rest of the episode and comes close to distracting from the case. The whole stuff with Brian was much more entertaining and more investable emotionally without being distracting. The exchange at the end was not one of the writers' better final scenes, sleazy and corny beyond belief and won't make the viewer feel comfortable.

However, "Father's Pride" is very strong elsewhere. The classic rapport between the team is there, as is the fun case solving and a diverting mystery.

Visually, "Father's Pride" 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, while also being very funny and high up in the entertainment value. This is all mixed adeptly with a seriousness without being overly so that it doesn't feel like 'New Tricks'. The story is fun, diverting and keeps one guessing. Gerry and Jack's rapport sees some very funny lines and the team's concern for Brian comes through believably.

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.

Support is solid with no weak links, though there is nobody outstanding.

In summation, strong, well done episode but not a favourite. 8/10 Bethany Cox