I'm actually enjoying this new season. Being an American, the last episode was very humorous. The characters are a little predictable, but as you said, this is its 6th season.
As you say, this is the 6th season and why the characters have become predictable and, in my view, a little jaded. Re: long running TV soaps, one way to keep the interest going is by changing some of the principal people. And with 'New Tricks' if this isn't done then, perhaps, the 6th season may be the last.
Jack, Gerry, Brian and Sandra's characters have all been extensively developed via many and varied sub-plots from previous shows. Therefore, how can their personalities be developed further?
Jack finds a new love in his life? Perhaps: It's been attempted before but failed. Gerry could marry again; I doubt it... Sandra marrying; very much doubt it. The writers must be facing a nightmare. How is it possible to continue developing this successful chemistry of characters?
Therefore, something radical should be done.
My view is that Sandra (Amanda Redman) could be replaced. Kill her off in an episode - shot by a suspect, for example. Have her leave due to promotion would be a waste of dramatic possibility. Replace Sandra with a younger man, who does things like Gerry - unPC-like - Gene Hunt meets Frost. Via this, new character facets of the 3 could be developed and relationships changed. Meanwhile, replace Strickland with a woman; a woman who Gerry, for example, then has a clandestine affair with throughout an entire season!
For me, breaking up/changing the 3 male characters would be a disaster. Losing Sandra, on the other hand, could work but may lose the female vote!!
I thought the writing of the 2nd new episode, 'The Truth is out There', was excellent. Based on the real-life Rendlesham Forest incident, the writer, Julian Simpson, had done his research on the subject and achieved a balance with the two opposing belief systems.
In fact, Simpson is a top UK TV writer/director. Credits include episodes for 'Inspector Linley', 'Spooks', 'Hustle', 'New Tricks' and the 2007 3 part docu-drama 'Superstorm'. Therefore, the show still attracts leading script writers and one can see why, when the first episode of season 6 gained over 8m viewers.
Therefore, the scripts are as strong as ever. We now require a brave decision to 'bump off' a primary character... perhaps?
I really enjoy this show and hope it stays on a very long time with the current cast intact. I live in the United States and I believe without a doubt British television is the best!
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As you say, this is the 6th season and why the characters have become predictable and, in my view, a little jaded. Re: long running TV soaps, one way to keep the interest going is by changing some of the principal people. And with 'New Tricks' if this isn't done then, perhaps, the 6th season may be the last.
Jack, Gerry, Brian and Sandra's characters have all been extensively developed via many and varied sub-plots from previous shows. Therefore, how can their personalities be developed further?
Jack finds a new love in his life? Perhaps: It's been attempted before but failed. Gerry could marry again; I doubt it... Sandra marrying; very much doubt it. The writers must be facing a nightmare. How is it possible to continue developing this successful chemistry of characters?
Therefore, something radical should be done.
My view is that Sandra (Amanda Redman) could be replaced. Kill her off in an episode - shot by a suspect, for example. Have her leave due to promotion would be a waste of dramatic possibility. Replace Sandra with a younger man, who does things like Gerry - unPC-like - Gene Hunt meets Frost. Via this, new character facets of the 3 could be developed and relationships changed. Meanwhile, replace Strickland with a woman; a woman who Gerry, for example, then has a clandestine affair with throughout an entire season!
For me, breaking up/changing the 3 male characters would be a disaster. Losing Sandra, on the other hand, could work but may lose the female vote!!
I thought the writing of the 2nd new episode, 'The Truth is out There', was excellent. Based on the real-life Rendlesham Forest incident, the writer, Julian Simpson, had done his research on the subject and achieved a balance with the two opposing belief systems.
In fact, Simpson is a top UK TV writer/director. Credits include episodes for 'Inspector Linley', 'Spooks', 'Hustle', 'New Tricks' and the 2007 3 part docu-drama 'Superstorm'. Therefore, the show still attracts leading script writers and one can see why, when the first episode of season 6 gained over 8m viewers.
Therefore, the scripts are as strong as ever. We now require a brave decision to 'bump off' a primary character... perhaps?