New Tricks (TV Series) Creative Problem Solving (2005) User Reviews

Almost a diamond in the rough.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 29 November 2021]

A diamond missing for many years turns up, in the hands of a friend of Jack's, Elise, a friend who has a twinkle in the eye.

I wouldn't say this is the best story from the show, it's not perhaps the most intriguing or captivating tale, but there are some really good aspects to this episode.

The start is hilarious, the trip are like naughty schoolboys, it's a very funny scene, as is the moment where Brien loos for the diamond in the safe.

I really enjoyed the cast here, Rita Tushingham as always is a total class act, great scenes between her and Bolam.

Enjoyed it, 8/10.

Once again the guests rise to the occasion

[ArtVandelayImporterExporter · 8/10 · 16 February 2024]

Sure, New Tricks is a police procedural about cold cases, mixed with a healthy dose of levity among the UCOS team.

But here we are in Series 2 and I realize that while half the fun is watching a steady lineup of guests stars.

Rita Tushingham is the female guest. She plays Jack's lady friend. She comes forward with a rare red diamond she grabbed from a dead man's house clearing decades previously.

Anthony Valentine is the male guest. He plays diamond-cutter Leslie Spitz who wants to get his hands on the rare diamond.

It all culminates with two simultaneous dinners. One where Jack has to tell lovely Rita that no matter how much he enjoys her company, his only love in life was his deceased wife Mary. Such a touching scene. Two wonderful actors.

The other dinner has Valentine (and his diamond-cutting son Spitz Jr) dining with Gerry and Supt Pullman, who are posing as husband and wife. Sharp viewers may recall Valentine guest starred twice on Minder: In Aces High and Sometimes Very Low, one of the best of Series 1; and again in You Win Some You Lose Some, one of the worst of Series 2. But both times he was unforgettable as pro gambler Maurice Michaelson, who hires Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman) from George Cole for a bit of minding while he pulls his dodgy casino schemes.

Here he teaches Gerry Standing (Waterman) about Maszlow's Heirarchy of Needs. I mean, does he ever. Even as a senior citizen and a few stone heavier than his two episodes on Minder, Valentine as a villain is still equal parts menacing and suave. What a brilliant actor.

As a bonus, Waterman takes a beating (off-screen) and his three ex-wives gather at the hospital to console and to scold him for being ''much too old to be going around giving villains the business" or something like that. To which Standing responds, "I was the one getting beat up!" I'd like to think that was a call-back of sorts to Minder.

Bravo to writers Karen McLachlan, Roy Mitchell, and Nigel McCreary for crafting such a treat. And bonus marks to the casting director.

Not much problematic here

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 12 January 2018]

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 2 up to this early point, as well as 'New Tricks' in general, has been good to great. "Creative Problem Solving" is not quite among my favourite 'New Tricks' episodes but to me it's among the better Season 2 episodes. By this point, 'New Tricks' had fully hit its stride, now fully settled with the familiar mix of humour and serious mystery fully established.

"Creative Problem Solving" may not have the best or most inspired supporting cast of the show, but everyone is still solid, just not outstanding like the leads are.

Visually, "Creative Problem Solving" 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.

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, while showing some seriousness at the same time.

In summary, great and not much problematic. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Weaker case without much memorable

[scsaxe · 6/10 · 1 May 2022]

The case involves a stolen diamond, and gets solved, but wasn't particularly interesting to me, I don't remember much of the episode. It feels like a season 1 case, but without the different format/feel of season 1 that would make it work.