New Tricks (TV Series) Mad Dogs (2008) User Reviews

MOD not MOT...and Gerry's still scared of forests and he's politically correct and all that

[safenoe · 9/10 · 29 August 2017]

Here Brian instigates an investigation into the death of an Army guy Eric Trimble, and we learn DAC Strickland should have gone to Sandhurst but didn't do so. Sandra thinks there are sinister implications to this because Eric was black and he died in 1991.

Gerry's still afraid of trees and forests, so he's getting a bit squishy and politically correct and all that. Thankfully Gerry didn't make any politically incorrect comments when he found himself in a gay pub...cor blimey!!!!!

I loved the reference by the soldier trainer to Kipling's exceedingly good cakes!!! Hilarious and it makes me hungry.

Sam Hazeldine appears as Brian's son. Interestingly, when Brian's son appears in season 10, he's played by a different actor, so no real explanation apart from say plastic surgery. Sam also played Cully Barnaby's husband in Midsomer Murders.

Brian battles his alcoholic demons in this season 5 finale.

An excellent end to the series.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 26 April 2022]

The UCIS team open up the case of Eric Trimble, a soldier who was beaten to death back in 1991, their investigation treads on the toes of the powers that be.

Great episode, a cracking end to this very good, very consistent series. I was half expecting this episode to focus on Jack and Mary, partly because of the series opener. However this was a great episode in its own right.

A fairly unusual case for the UCOS team, the stakes and players are definitely higher here, the appearance of The Spooks adds a little spice. Perhaps the best episode for Strickland to date, he was great here.

A few humorous moments here as you'd expect, and a very deep story, it crosses a few boundaries that it hasn't ventured near before, namely religion.

Armstrong was the standout for me, his rant was an incredible scene, I loved the way in which Brian has had to confront his demons throughout this series.

Superb acting, some very familiar faces, Ralph Ineson, Andrew Tiernan and Phyllis Logan, a great cast all play their part. I thought René Zagger was great.

Excellent, 9/10.

Dead soldier leads to weird characters, and an unusual investigation

[scsaxe · 8/10 · 2 May 2022]

UCOs investigates a soldier's death, and the resulting investigation leads to family, conditions at a base, some secret stuff, and overall an involved, interesting investigation. We also get some good characters and other interactions, including the guy in the screenshot on here. Makes a good finish to season 5.

Soldier homicide

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 30 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.

"Mad Dogs" is another excellent episode of Season 5 and just as good an ending to the season. The previous two episodes were not quite as strong as the rest of the season's episodes, while still being very good.

Brian being upset over something so trivial and being that hostile towards his son at the beginning seemed rather unlike him compared to the Brian seen before. Having said that, some fathers are like that (most not) and it may have been related to his struggles with his alcoholism.

There is a great diverting mystery, with enough to keep one guessing, with skeletons in the closet, tension and some fun humour in classic 'New Tricks' fashion.

Visually, "Mad Dogs" 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. Susan Jameson is great, firm and sympathetic as always, felt sorry for her at the end.

Overall, strong end to Season 5. 9/10 Bethany Cox