dawn-78 Starting with the premise in 2003 that as a punishment for a raid going wrong, DCI Sandra Pullman is moved to a job in the basement with 3 old men! In the pilot Sandra Pullman hires 3 ex-policemen to work with her in the Unsolved Crimes Unit, that has been specifically set up to fail! The 3 "old men" played by James Bolam who plays Jack Halford, Dennis Waterman playing Gerry Standing and Alun Armstrong playing Brian Lane are actors that have been around decades in England and are well loved.This might be billed as a drama, however there is lots of humor throughout this series. Gerry is the naughty boy with 3 Ex wives and daughters, all of whom get along extremely well. Brian Lane is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to crime and speaks honestly and directly, much to the annoyance of his fellow ex-police officers and Jack, the logical and practical one turns out to have a much stronger connection with his boss, DCI Sandra Pullman that we discover as the series moves forward.Each episode is a complete story. However through the first few series we watch as each of the character's personal lives are thrown into turmoil.The rest of this review focuses on the past few seasons 8-10 and the changes. So if you don't want to know anything else please do not read further! When I heard of the cast changes happening in seasons 8-10 I wondered how this show would continue as a success. I'm glad I hung around and kept watching! The addition of Dennis Lawson was a breath of fresh air. Nicholas Lyndhurst is a brilliant actor and will be remembered for his very clever and funny roles in "Only Fools and Horses" and my favorite "Goodnight Sweetheart" and Tamzin Outhwaite brings a new strength and focus to the show that had been lacking in seasons 6 and 7.In Season 10 (episode 9) I got a sense that the female lead character is going to have to prove that she didn't get the job because of nepotism. Thinking back to the pilot this is the same issue Sandra Pullman had in terms of having to prove herself, just for a different reason.And lastly...it came to me last night "I wonder when they wrote Season 4 Episode 6 "Buried Treasure" where Gerry turns out to be called "The Last Man Standing", that would be true of the character and actor when it came to Season 10 Episode 9?"

bbewnylorac If you look at this show as lightweight, relaxing entertainment you won't go wrong. It's not believable in any way that a team of old fogeys would be left alone, for years, to do what they like with major cold cases. And they certainly, in real life, would not solve one case a week! Many of the plots are completely over the top (the witch episode, for example) and in some seasons the scripts have got too sluggish and boring. But at its best, this is top TV. The best thing is probably the cast. They all look like they're having a ball, and when the quips and teasing are flying thick and fast between them, it's a pleasure. Especially Amanda Redman and Dennis Waterman. Each character has a distinct personality and their strengths and failings are explored to good effect.

dickjan-braggaar It's such a shame I live in Holland. I bought the first, Dutch subtitled, series here, but where's the rest? When they arrive here, I'm sure to buy them all. Yes, sometimes I see the series on the BBC, but without subtitles you miss the subtleties.So now to the first series. I still have a little inside laugh when I think about the talks with the soliciting team members in the pilot-episode. I have a little inside weep when I see the old copper talking to his deceased wife. And what a wonderful woman is the boss! If all women were like she is, there would be no glass ceiling (if you know what I mean, or is it a Dutch expression).They can act, boy, can they all act. Why young actors, when this lot is still going strong? I'm not yet their ages, but it is quite reassuring that there is so much life in the old guys! Conclusion: I will keep looking for the series here in Holland, subtitled and all, and I very much want to thank the BBC for bringing so much quality and joy in the best series I've ever seen. In a word, its most 'uplifting'. A real medicine.

racesgirl2000-1 I got into this show by accident but my aunt's a huge fan and I must say I was very pleasantly surprised for only 3 episodes. The use of actors who probably had their heyday twenty years ago was one and the stories are very well written. The show is classed as Drama but there is fun and games in there too.James Bolam is an actor I have long rated highly and this shows he has not lost his touch. In fact the range of acting skills these people bring to the show make younger actors in the same show look shallow. The team knit well together. They make great use of the fact that they are all retired police officers who can and do ignore rules and protocols to solve supposedly dead cases.It makes a refreshing change compared to some American shows of the same genre. I strongly recommend it and there should be a US version.