Treating us like moronic dinosaurs

They're up to their old tricks again.   The aging crime solvers and their glamorous boss (Amanda Redman) are still out there solving crimes and generally sticking their noses where they don't belong in New Tricks: Season Nine.  These 10 episodes mark a turning point in the series:  the departure of beloved Jack Halford (James Bolam) and the introduction...

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Galway is the graveyard of ambition

Being a well-known ex-cop isn't all it's cracked up to be.  In this case, the former police officer is Jack Taylor and the setting is the Irish city of Galway.  Iain Glen plays the unconventional character in this new release of the first 3 films made based on the characters from the novels of Ken Bruen. Episode 1, titled "The Guards" begins...

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The Carters are going to keep you very busy

Changing careers can be a daunting prospect, but leaving the family business is even more challenging when you're a Carter and the family business is crime.  After the father of the family, Mack, is sent to prison, the remaining parent, Lindsay, played by Amanda Redman, decides that it's time for the family to go straight in the new dramedy Honest.  Lindsay...

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A Walk Through a Historically Beautiful Town

England has so much history and beauty to explore that sometimes it can be overwhelming.  That's why I was thrilled to watch the wonderful new DVD A Walk Around Warwick">A Walk Around Warwick, released by UK video production company Leofric Films.  This walk around the lovely town is led by historian Dr. Sylvia Pinches.  As we get to see the beautiful highlights...

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This turbulent age will see great events

One of the most colorful figures in English history has to be Charles II, and we get to meet him and many other historical figures of the 17th century in the new DVD release of the series The First Churchills.   Based on Sir Winston Churchill's account of his ancestors, the First Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, John Neville (as John Churchill) and Susan Hampshire...

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Slowly slowly catchy monkey

Getting a new partner is a stressful situation, no matter how long you've been on the job.  DI Jack Armstrong already has his new partner, George, pegged:  around 30, a know-it-all, and bearded.  He's somewhat taken aback when DI Georgina Dixon shows up (definitely not bearded!).  So begins season 2 of the series Vexed, a humorous cop drama set in modern...

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Don't care was made to care

Watching an arrogant person get their comeuppance is always enjoyable, and that is also the case in the drama The Politician's Wife, a three episode series set in the mid 1990s.  Although it's surely no surprise when a famous figure gets caught up in a scandal, we rarely get to witness how this public scrutiny impacts those nearest to the disgraced person.  This...

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One man mission to clean up the Met

There is something to be said for being an honest copper in a world of dangerous criminals.  Inspector George Gently, is just such an honest policeman.  The first 5 seasons of the series are now available on DVD. Inspector Gently is working as a policeman inside the corrupt London Met when his wife Isabella is killed by a hit and run driver.  Gently...

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