Inspector George Gently

It's an outstanding Police series set in the northeast in the mid 60's when murderers are still sent to the gallows. Martin Shaw plays Detective Chief Inspector George Gently and Ex Metropolitan Police officer and Lee Ingleby plays a cocky young Detective Sergeant Bacchus. Bacchus is occasionally described as a nasty piece of work and he often is. He's George's bulldog and George is not afraid to set him lose. In 60's terms, George would not be classed as corrupt but he's not adverse to giving a bit of a slap when necessary. He's keen to get the right person locked up. Martin Shaw is worlds away from the smug hypocritical Judge Deed and all the better for it. From my own experience I can say that the series is quite realistic and I have no hesitation in recommending it. I look forward to further episodes

This is a high quality, well written series which contains excellent acting and believable plots (well, more believable than "Midsomer Murders" for example). The episodes can be viewed as standard "whodunnits" but also spectacularly reveal the massive changes in law, attitudes and culture in the UK over the past 45 years or so.

My only gripe is that, despite the great attention that is paid to period detail, the writers always make the mistake (not restricted to this series) of scripting the words "against you" in the caution used by a police officer when making an arrest. The UK police caution in such circumstances before 1995 was: "You are not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so but anything you do say may be given in evidence." The words "used against you" were only ever used in USA. To have used these words in UK could have prejudiced the case.

I only recently discovered this little unsung gem on PBS. I am English and am always attracted by British shows. This is a truly excellent series, the stories are always different and well thought out. The 90 minute time allows for more developments than those of 60 minutes shows which often lack details of characters and plot. It's interesting the way the 60's setting allows prejudices at that time to pop up and impact the stories. As a Gay man one scripting nugget I truly appreciated was when the younger detective voiced his homophobic opinions, Gently mildly pointed out that electroshock treatment could be considered, when the younger guy responded with that "it doesn't work, their still queer" Gently reproved with the witty response "I meant for you.'

I have happily endorsed this show to many people, well worth anybody's time.

This show has to be, without a doubt, one of the best crime/drama shows ever written and portrayed by a cast of fantastic actors. It's set in the 60s. Even the filming gives it the vintage feel as they tackle crime(s) and some of the same social issues we experienced here in the United States during the same era. Even more, it is set in the days before DNA was even a forethought. They had to solve the crimes with intellect and reasoning. The show is set with an older, seasoned cop teamed with a younger, gung ho cop who is not afraid to take shortcuts as he learns the ropes of how crimes are really solved. There are times when you will love the younger cop and times you will want to give him a backhand. As with most British crime shows, their ability to keep you in the dark as to who the killer is is quite amazing. You can't go wrong with this show.

/refers to seasons 1-7/ Yes, like most British crime series, Inspector George Gently is not just solving crimes, it gives a broad overview of vices and virtues, ups and downs around the place the events take place. True, the stuff and solutions are not of equal interest and wittiness, but they seem realistic, not artificially constructed. Unlike some other series, as for private moments, the one in question focuses on the ones of George Gently and John Bacchus (performed masterfully by Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby, respectively), providing additional background for their thoughts and deeds, but still not filling the screen-time in vain. The only "minus" from me goes to the fact that the main characters remain rather static, their principle do not "open" even after decisive changes in the society; on the other hand, however, it was pleasant to follow the environment characteristic to that era, yet constant smoking jangled my nerves quite a lot :) Thus, a meaty creation, to be recommended to watch in sequence, but not mandatory - there are enough references to necessary moments happened before. I took my time to watch all seasons, and I am contented, although each episode is around 1.5 hours...