User Reviews

In 2006 zookeeper Zac Halsey was found dead in the Tigers enclosure, believed to be accidental, turns out it was murder.

Series 8 has been a real high point I would argue, with some cracking episodes, I was hoping it would end on a real high, I'd argue this is a pretty good watch, but on the average side.

Some good elements of course, it's a great story for the team as a whole, but for Jack in particular, it does feel like the beginning of the end for him. I enjoyed the whole story of the award for bravery, we really know why he does the job.

On the downside, I found the story a little hard to believe, some elements surrounding the knife seem a real stretch. Overall though, it's a good watch.

Some funny moments here, Brian's attempts at Spanish were funny, the Dirty Sanchez sketches are also memorable.

A nice cast, Caroline Harker is good as the fussy Yuppy running the zoo, I think Tony Haygarth adds a bit of quality to proceedings.

7/10.

A zookeeper was eaten by a tiger in a horrible accident. Than the tiger dies from a knife embedded in it, suggesting it wasn't an accident. And a huge amount of the victim's blood is found in his room...yea, definitely murder. UCOS is put on the case, and solves an interesting one.

The episode.is a bit bleaker than earlier ones, but still a good mystery with a nice set of detective work towards the end.

Jack has a thread in this episode suggesting he isn't fully in it; I can't say if the writers were setting up a possible departure or just making a cliffhanger for the end of the season, but Jack in fact leaves next season.

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.

"Tiger Tiger" is an excellent episode, living up to the consistently solid quality of Season 8 and a more than worthy way to end it The story is continually gripping, and the consistent intrigue, clever twists, one of the show's most gruesome murders (the opening exchange describing the murder is not for the squeamish) and surprising denouement prevent it from being too predictable. Not quite one of my favourite 'New Tricks' episodes, not that there is anything wrong with it but that it just lacks the extra something of the best episodes.

Visually, "Tiger Tiger" 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'.

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.

Anthony Calf is typically great as Strickland and there are typically solid performances, nobody outstanding but no weak links.

Overall, excellent. Am aware that this is very similar wording to my previous 'New Tricks' reviews and apologies for that, but it is hard not to when the numerous strengths are the same. 9/10 Bethany Cox