Have always been a big fan of detective/mystery shows from a fairly young age, well since starting secondary school.
'Inspector Morse', 'A Touch of Frost', 'Midsomer Murders' (in its prime), 'Law and Order', 'Inspector George Gently', 'Criminal Minds', 'Murder She Wrote', you name them to name a few. 'New Tricks' has also been a favourite from the start (despite not being the same without the original cast in recent years). Although it can be corny at times (in an endearing sort of way) it has always been perfect for helping me relax in the evenings. Something that was needed during all the hard times endured in school.
'New Tricks' was past its best by now, with integral characters no longer with us, but was certainly not an unwatchable period. "Tender Loving Care" continues the decent but not great standard set by the Season 11 opener "Bermondsey Boy".
While it is charming, witty and likeable, the chemistry between the leads was stronger in 'New Tricks' prime era (Seasons 1-9 when characters that made the show (especially Brian, which the show wasn't the same without when he left) were still there. Prime-era 'New Tricks' also had more spark and freshness.
Agree too that the beginning was a little forced. The case is fun, well paced and intriguing, though not the most twist-filled story 'New Tricks' has ever had and not the most surprising one either.
Sasha is more settled in and more confident as a leader, and Tamzin Outhwaite does a very good job again. She works very well too with the other three leads.
Visually, "Tender Loving Care" is slick and stylish as ever. The music is a good fit and the theme song (sung with gusto by none other by Dennis Waterman himself) is one of the catchiest for any detective/mystery show and of any show in the past fifteen years or so.
Writing is intelligent, thought-provoking and classy, with a nice mix of the comedic (Nicholas Lyndhurst has his funniest moment up to this point of the show) and the serious.
Cannot fault any of the performances, which are never less than solid. The leads are great, and while the chemistry as said is far from perfect it works well enough.
Overall, pretty good though not the best 'New Tricks' has to offer. 7/10 Bethany Cox