Son of a Gun

As a huge fan of detective/crime/mystery series, there is the admission that it took me a while to start watching 'Inspector George Gently', worrying as to whether it would appeal to me for "can't put my finger on it" reasons other than being young at the time and not being as knowledgeable of the period. Getting into the show eight years ago and continuing to watch it without fail, it turned out to be simply wonderful and actually became a favourite.

After a very solid, if still settling, start in "Gently Go Man", it felt like 'Inspector George Gently' started to hit its stride with "The Burning Man" and that continued with "Bomber's Moon". The show hit a high point with "Gently with the Innocents" and the high point standards applies here again in perhaps the most episode of the show "Son of a Gun". There is a lot here that is particularly good about 'Inspector George Gently' and it shows that it is not at all hard to see why the show appeals to many.

"Son of a Gun" shows 'Inspector George Gently' still delivering on a consistent level, no bad episodes up to this point. It is indicative that the show has found its feet and hit its stride. It doesn't quite have the emotional impact of other episodes that tackled daring themes, yet there is the tension and tautness and genuinely poignant execution of the tragic elements. Love the development for Rachel.

However, "Son of a Gun", like the rest of the show, looks great, often beautiful. It is strikingly filmed and the scenery and period detail are atmospheric, handsome and evocative, a lot of work and care went into re-creating the period and it definitely shows loud and clear. The music is stirring and haunting, dynamic with what's going on and never intrusive.

The writing has a lot of thought-provoking intelligence and balances subtle humour and drama very well and executing both individually just as well. The direction is alert and accommodating and the story is easy to follow and absorbing with a good deal of suspense. The climax is intense. "Son of a Gun", and 'Inspector Gently' in general, is very interesting for how British law was like in the 60s and how much it's changed and come on compared to now.

Love the chemistry between Gently and Bacchus, one of the most interesting and well-contrasted detective/crime/mystery drama pairings (perhaps the most interesting since Morse and Lewis). The two couldn't have more different personalities and how they gel and clash entertains and intrigues. Both are fascinating characters, and became even more fascinating as the show progressed.

Can't fault the acting, the continually brilliant performances from Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby here and throughout the show are career highs for both actors. All the support is good, especially from a nuanced Lisa McGrillis and a loathsome Jody Latham.

Overall, wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox

The world is set to move into a new decade, the 1970's, along with skinheads, guns and armed robberies.

I don't say this lightly, but for me this is the best episode of the show to date. This is a fantastic watch, it boasts a very gritty, nasty story, some amazing characters, and somehow it manages to usher in a new era, with all the challenges associated.

Incredible production values as always, great sets and cars, the skinhead costumes were terrific.

Lisa McGrillis has grown enormously as a character, particularly in this series, she's very much on an equal footing with Gently and Bacchus, perhaps centre stage here.

Star of the show for me was Jodie Latham, Jonjo was an amazing character, obnoxious, but charismatic and deadly, where on Earth has this super talented guy gone.

Genuinely, I thought this was marvellous, 10/10.

Not one of the best Gently episodes: there's almost no mystery about it as the villain is identified quite early on. Some of the sub-plots feel a bit clumsy and tacked-on too.

However, it is quite entertaining. WPC Coles (LIsa McGrillis) gets even more screentime as she goes undercover amongst the skinheads and this makes for some intrigue.

Her addition has breathed new life into the show as the Gently-Bacchus good cop-bad cop routine was getting stale.

She's actually the most engaging character in the show as she's quite likeable and resourceful and balanced in her apporach. Contrast this with the smug, cold, aloofness of Gently and the tactless, intolerant, bullying of Bacchus and it's easy to see why.