BULLETPROOF RECOMMENDATIONS
It’s been months in the making, and now the last installment of “Inspector George Gently” is finally here. The BBC crime drama, which has been on the air since 2007, culminates with two 90-minute episodes full of more questions than answers.
We catch up with Chief Inspector George Gently (Martin Shaw) as he is being pressured to retire from the force. Detective Inspector John Bacchus (Lee Ingleby) is on edge as he searches for a purpose in both his personal life and career. The best of both men is brought out by Sergeant Rachel Coles (Lisa McGrillis), who often seems to be the only police officer with her head on her shoulders.
Par for the course, all three are pushed to their limits when they take on cases tackling the moral dilemmas of the day. The producers are also quick to remind us that the final series has transitioned from the 1960s to 1970, bringing about a whole new cultural wave of change.
But it isn’t the cases that leave both casual viewers and long-time fans yearning for more. Simply put, it isn’t easy to envision the series’ hero riding off into the sunset (or rather, into retirement). There has been too much of Gently reeling Bacchus in from the edge of disaster to feel comfortable with him leaving the force. And while Coles has repeatedly stepped up to the plate, one has to wonder about her somewhat strained relationship with Bacchus.
It’s these very questions that make “Inspector George Gently” a show that will be missed for quite some time. Viewers can’t help but wonder how the department will move on from the looming departure of such a prolific policeman, meaning the writers did their job – they crafted a character so strong and robust that followers can’t envision a [television] world without him. There will always be reruns, but there can only be one Inspector George Gently, brought to life by Martin Shaw.
– @kavermes
THE BASICS
Title: Inspector George Gently
Platforms: Amazon, Acorn
Seasons: 8
Episode Length: 90 minutes