New Tricks: Series 9 - Episode 1

This opening episodes to the 9th series of the show saw a certain change take place.

And this was the departure of one of it's main characters Jack Halford, played by James Bolam. He was one of the major characters to have been apart of the series since its start in 2003 and so it came as a surprise, as to the other characters, that the Jack would be retiring. I think the show did a very good job of dealing with it by having the team basically contained to the unit offices as they had to investigate an 160 year old forced upon by a Whitehall official, Stephen Fisher. Having this plot allowed for the show to not overload the audience with the fact of Jack leaving, but to slowly prepare the viewer for the end of the episode, whilst displaying the characteristics of Jack that the audience know well.

This especially came forth in his final scene, revealing the real reason for his departure and it's done in such a dignified and Jack-like way, and with only one of his colleagues, Brian Lane, knowing the truth, we know that it will have some lasting effect on the rest of the series.

I think this was a strong opening, especially with the team solving the complicated case in their unique style, while trying to fight the political hound of Fisher and getting use to Jack's sudden resignation.

Really looking forward to the rest of the series.