Martin Shaw plays an out of sync copper. He want answers, he wants justice, he wants someone caught but he will play by the rules. He gets paired with a younger partner, John Bacchcus played by Lee Ingleby, who is more interested in getting results than following the rules but "understands" he might learn something from his unwanted mentor George Gently. OK the characters last names may be a bit too much symbolic but their working relationship is well worth watching and the writing is quit good. Getting through the accents might be a push for some but after a few episodes you get the cadence. A good series. And I like the Bacchus character, who doesn't like a flawed character especially one who is a quick study.
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pensman17 November 2010
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greg828 October 2010This 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. -
/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...
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Sulla-223 June 2012It'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
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fung022 June 2015There are two massive reasons to like and admire this series.
1. The characters. The solid, thoughtful Inspector Gently is perfectly matched against his hot-headed subordinate Bacchus. I love both these personalities, and the way their peculiar, very 1960s outlooks interlock. Bacchus in particular is a really great creation, because he's likable in spite of his obvious faults.
2. The fact that it's ABOUT something. These are not just mindless whodunit puzzles. Each episode of the show has a strong point to make. In fact, multiple points. About how attitudes have evolved, during and since the 1960s. About human nature. About the law, and policing. This is a show that works as a police procedural, but also works extremely well as drama.
Apart from those two strengths, the show has atmosphere, a unique style, great dialog, and seething emotional confrontations. It's thoughtful, yet never slow. In fact, it's good on every conceivable level, including many that are rarely present in mere TV entertainment.
In short, this is one of the best cop shows ever to come out of the UK. Or anywhere else, for that matter. -
TheLittleSongbird13 September 2010As a huge fan of detective series/dramas, I was surprised at how much I loved Inspector George Gently. Three years ago, admittedly, it didn't completely appeal to me, but when I did decide to give the series a chance I am glad I did, and am struggling to give a good enough reason why it didn't appeal to me before. Inspector George Gently is brilliant in every aspect. It is strikingly filmed, with the photography stunning and the scenery and locations very well chosen and evocative. The music is very good too, quite stirring and haunting, and always careful not to overshadow what is going on on screen. Then we are treated to some truly great writing that is intelligent and has the odd bit of subtle humour and complex but very well explained stories. The direction is very fine, and the acting is top notch consistently with the guest actors making the most of their characters and stories and Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby brilliant both individually and together, complete with a very interesting chemistry. To conclude, this is a wonderful series that I can't wait to see more of. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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dal_asher27 April 2016I love British drama and police series are my favorite. This doesn't disappoint! Martin Shaw is fantastic as the slightly out of synch but always compassionate lead along with his side kick, Lee Inglebee as the incorrigible John Bachus. I only started watching this show from the beginning a few days ago but am now up to the 3rd season and will binge whenever I can to watch the entire series. It's filmed so beautifully and although I find the "hip" music of the 60s is, as was always the case back then, silly and out of touch, I simply turn down the sound when they get into car chases or whatever. Music of the 60's for some reason, was never used in movies and TV in the 60's, something I never understood then and now even less. I will continue to watch this to the end and will miss it when it's over. I am pretty housebound with an elderly father right now so finding something really excellent and entertaining like this to watch makes life a bit easier. Really excellent!
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mdbauer-9817821 October 2016This 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.
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redx170816 April 2023I love British crime shows, and I've watched a lot over the years. Compared to american shows they depend not so much on action, but more on characters, with even the small parts played by character actors of which Britain seems to have an abundance.
Of all the shows I remember, two seem to rise above the rest : "Inspector Gently" and "Foyle's War". Both are period pieces, Gently set in the 60s, and Foyle during WW2.
The setting here is perfect 60s style. The cars, the mini skirts, the Ronson lighters and the amount of cigarettes smoked by the characters.
I originally rated Foyle a 10 and Gently a 9, but after recently having watched them both again, it seemed to me that Gently deserved a 10 as well.
Shaw and Ingleby makes a perfect duo, with their incompatible characters, that against all odds seem to find the exactly right mix.
Highly recommended if you can tolerate slow burn and sometimes controversial topics. -
aceellaway201014 January 2014I 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. -
jij9811111 September 2013I have watched several of the earlier episodes of this brilliant BBC detective series. It has it all: clever plots that are never quite what they seem to be, a dry "British" (I think it is universal) sense of subtle humor, two interesting leads who work perfectly together in their roles, topical plots (circa 1960's but still interesting) that are a cut above your normal plots and do not pull any punches, a quality sense of drama that packs a huge emotional punch (see Season 2 episode 1 'Gently with the innocents' and tell me you are not moved).
I have watched many BBC series, detective and otherwise, sometimes with mixed results. This series is right up there at the top except for one big flaw. The writers, as many times happens, editorialize in their plots. If they removed the political correctness and stuck to good detective plots I would have added stars. -
tomsview10 December 2022"Inspector George Gently" is another of those British crime series that I still enjoy on Foxtel Australia. Foxtel runs them through, gives them a short break, then runs them through again.
I don't mind because little has replaced them. George joins "Morse", "Dalziel and Pascoe", "Lewis", "Hinterland" and "Shetland" on the memorial wall. "Vera" is still going and so is "Endeavour", but we are getting dangerously close to young Morse appearing in the same episode as old Morse and then I will probably wake up screaming.
Set in the 1960s, George Gently (Martin Shaw), the incorruptible policeman and 8th Army veteran is one of the best.
I always think a partnership between two coppers that have each other's backs is the strongest formula. The scriptwriters thought so because George was actually a loner in Alan Hunter's novels.
You could say that Gently's offsider, John Bacchus (Lee Ingleby) is too self-centred to really look out for anyone else, but he has stood by George plenty of times and even took a bullet for him, ironically fired by Kevin Whately (Lewis) of all people in "Gently in the Cathedral" (S5 Ep4),
The other strong ingredient is humour. Much is generated by John's gobsmacking ignorance and Gently's wry observations on his sergeant's shortcomings. But the introduction of WPC Rachel Coles (Lisa McGrillis) in Series 6 was a stroke of genius as Bacchus reacts to her initiative, tidiness and enthusiasm with classic 60s chauvinism.
George may have been getting on, but he was more than capable of delivering a Liverpool kiss to a skinhead or a clip around the ear to the over-confident John when he stepped into the ring with him.
The final two episodes (Series 8) were among the most complex. Both had a cold case with surprisingly similar perpetrators, and that staple of crime series, corruption in high places.
The relationship between George and John also reached crisis point. Where other detective partnerships were like brothers, the one between George and John had become more a disappointed father with a wayward son. Rachel steps in to ease the rift, however John is finally aware of the mess he has made of his life, and wants redemption.
The ending is poignant as the series completes a circle back to the death of George's wife, Isabella, but he passes the torch to the new bonding between John and Rachel. It was a series that knew how to end, and when to do it. -
gilroywilliam-7355826 June 2021Do NOT waste your time watching season 8. Everything about the Gently - Bacchus relationship is destroyed. All in a failed attempt to make Gently more of a prog hero. Bacchus is made out to be a drunk, Gently turns into the grouchy old man. The new lady "sarge" is the faultless one spewing tropes all over the place. Uhg! I wish I had stopped after season7.
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I remembered this series as very good, although slow at times. and like many uneven, better at times. So I started with Season #7 AcornTV.
but somehow Bacchus has deteriorated into a bitter divorced drunkard who uses woman and Gently doesn't think he does Bacchus job very well; the name....is on the nose. He is neglecting his duties for a married woman, wife of another officer, and drink. What happened, He used to be a good guy and a good detective with a future. Gently interferes bec he thinks Sgt. Bacchus is throwing his career away. Gently was kind, but strong and astute. Season #8- only 2 episodes. It's political intrigue which I had trouble following; maybe because I got bored, and drifted off. And in the end the intrigue is based on politics and "giving the Americans what they want" with local political conspiracies'. that prove fatal- So when did Americans become the enemy.
The end is very unhappy and unsatisfying. spoiler or not, I won't say. I was surprised but that doesn't make it good. I don't like when they wrap up a series in an unsettling way. this is entertainment, fiction. not life. -
ianlouisiana6 September 2011Transferring from the Met to escape the endemic corruption amongst CID officers,George Gently(Mr M.Shaw)gruff but compassionate is saddled with DC Bacchus(Mr L.Ingleby),later promoted to DS,mainly,it must be said on Gently's back,who is,frankly,everything Gently left the Met to escape from."Handy",i.e.not averse to giving a suspect the odd smack, not totally committed to the "innocent until proved guilty"mantra,and very,very ambitious,to the point of joining the Brotherhood to further his career(and that's not even even considering the fact that he impregnates the Chief Constable's daughter). After a p*ssing contest lasting several episodes an exasperated Gently finally forces Bacchus into the boxing ring and knocks seven bells out of him,thus earning his respect and not,as you might imagine,his eternal enmity. Mr Shaw,often remembered solely for his bad hair days in "The Professionals has matured over the years into a fine expressive and sensitive actor from "Judge John Deed" to "The Scarlet Pimpernel",his splendid voice has given gravitas to some scripts of variable merit. As Gently he retains the vestiges of a London accent that has had the rough edges knocked off it as he climbed the Met's ranks. Only the occasional lost aspirate or glottal stop cunningly inserted are giveaways that he is not the classic middle class senior detective of the era. Mr Ingleby,full of energy and aggression,keen to make a name for himself and climb the slippery pole,is just right as the junior detective as chancer:one eye open to give his guv'nor a good impression. The latest series started Sunday night with a rare excursion into the pop culture of the mid 1960s. A schoolgirl is found murdered and Gently's investigations gradually unravel the secret lives of a group of pupils and teachers. There was a brilliant,rather moving performance from Mr N.Morrisey - not,I must admit,a favourite of mine - as the Jimmy Saville figure hosting a T-T.T.V. pop show, gradually accepting that he is getting too old for the job and preparing to move reluctantly on. D.S.Bacchus is clearly going to be eternally "on a promise" and Gently even more brooding than before. The over - riding impression left by his series is one of quality,high production values,stunning settings and fine supporting performances throughout. Compared to other TV Cop Shows this is indeed,High Art.
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schell-712 December 2015I've just finished Series 6 (2014), after thinking each prior season couldn't be topped. "Blue for Bluebird" cuts so deeply in a viewer's psyche, that anyone who is a child of a parent or parent of a child can't afford to pass it up. I'm at once John Bacchus' Cordelia to Gently's Lear and Bachus's Lear toward his own Cordelia. I'm done with all American series--NCIS, Law and Order, Bones, Criminal Minds--all of it pretentious, exploitive, escapist. The formulas soon becoming numbing--people viewing screens (that never require rebooting); scenes always ending with the central character rushing off (as if he had more important things to do); ghoulish fixation on dead bodies and body parts; hot babes and cool hunks for the groupies; repetitious lightweight musical scores. But "George Gently" rises above even its British rivals--Hustle, Morse, Endeavor. It's the importance of every detail, the willingness to have everything in place for a microsecond shot of ordinary citizens in their harsh environments; the characters of Gently and Bacchus and their relationship over time (we witness it through physical as well as emotional changes). Initially Inglespy is an overachieving kid who seems in over his head; Martin Shaw is a placid, stone-like, solid investigator. By the time of the last episode of Season 6 (a masterpiece of writing), Shaw has emerged as a actor of unsurpassed believability, the heart and soul of a production that rarely veers from its driving theme and purpose: the dissection of the thin line that separates love from hate, evil and irremediable pain and suffering. This series would be unthinkable on the big American networks (even PBS). I couldn't recommend it more highly-- from production values, to casting and acting, to the edification of the viewer's mind and soul.
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fourlegsnm17 January 2022The characters are believable especially in the era it is set, they don't murder the accent (yes I am from the North East) and it's mixture of humour, grit and humanity are great. The use of the entire area in the setting makes me smile as one second they are in the Toon then in Durham as if It's the same place. It's a great series though and a reprise would be really great.
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Sleepin_Dragon19 September 2020I foolishly didn't watch George Gently during its transmission as I didn't fancy it. I was terribly wrong.
This is a wonderful series, excellent from beginning to end. The stories are captivating, I always feel there is a sense of realism in some of them.
Some episodes make you feel genuinely uncomfortable, but they don't shy away from sensitive issues. My favourite episode will forever be Gently in The Cathedral, but so many are superb.
Incredible production values, exquisite cars and costumes, each episode is a visual feast.
Shaw and Ingleby are tremendous, always accompanied by great guest actors, so many good ones, I can't highlight one in particular.
What gives this show the edge over so many, is the dynamic between Gently and Bacchus, you get a little conflict in most shows, but nothing like you see here, at times they seem to actually detest one another's values and beliefs, Bacchus often has issue with his boss's moral sense.
We needed more. 9/10. -
humzahladiwala10 March 2021This show is beyond any genre. I can easily tell you how brilliant the stories are, how brilliant the acting is, and how natural the writing is, but I could not do this masterpiece justice. It is smart, it can be funny, it can be heartbreaking, but most of all, it can make you search inside yourself to make you rethink what being human is. The show does all this while crafting clever and nuanced problems for the cops to solve, and it sometimes doesn't end happily. That's what makes this show different for me: it isn't afraid to go there, and when it does, it blows you away.
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radean-6690712 September 2023Watching the series for the first time, I am captivated by the loving detail recreating the 60s with such accuracy.
Then, there is the exquisite photography. Like Endeavour, the level of artistry is sublime. The Brits have perfected detective genre writing for TV. The scripts are tight and lead you through a maze of intrigue until the case is resolved.] Lastly, I want to mention, the extraordinary acting ability of Martin Shaw that drives the series. He is an actor with magnetic intelligence and focus. I get so much pleasure out of watching a real actor displaying his craft with such acumen. It lifts the series and the level of acting from other from the rest of the ensemble who are well cast.
Do not miss this one. This series will not disappoint. -
one_pat12327 April 2021Well except the last one....nooooooooooooo, it didn't have to be that way. Anyway, loved this show, love Martin Shaw. Often when you get a series this long it fizzles out and the cast are calling in their performances, no so with this series, loved every episode, well except the last one. Ok, I'll stop moaning! Accents were good, nothing grated on the nerves, but then I'm not from the north east, maybe they think differently! Bacchus needed a smack every now and then, but he always came through in the end. Loved the addition of Rachel, she kept bacchus in his place. Storylines weren't too gruesome, realistic. So sad it's over.
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Warin_West-El28 May 2023SEASON ONE
Martin Shaw does a great job of portraying the craggy DCI George Gently. I don't like the way the character John Bacchus is written. However, Lee Ingleby carries it off with aplomb. And the writers telegraph that character's underlying morality by tagging him with the last name of "Bacchus."
The two actors working on screen together are vaguely reminiscent of Christopher Plummer and Daniel Craig in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Unlike many crime dramas, the stories are NOT full of gaping holes that strain credulity. And maybe not for crime drama experts, but for the rest of us mere mortals, the culprit generally remains hidden until the last few moments of the drama when the reveal is done.
First season is a solid seven.
SEASON TWO
This season the filmmakers added a bold modernistic opening sequence. Of the four episodes, the clunker was Gently in the Blood. A tale that is preachy and overreaching in its moralism. The best episode was Gently with the Innocents. We've seen this story before: child abuse of orphans. But the plot is textured and convincing.
Last season Bacchus was merely a self-righteous idiot. This season the screenwriters have transformed the character into a rather despicable menace. He's married nevertheless he sleeps around.
At the end of this season Bacchus goes behind Gently's back and pulls strings to be enrolled in a course he hopes will advance his career. In the last episode we're left with the impression he's leaving for London.
SEASON THREE AND FOUR: OK
SEASON FIVE
My advice: Skip directly to the final episode, which is needed for continuity into Season 6.
SEASON SIX
Whew! The filmmakers have sown their wild oats in Season 5 and now we're back to the REAL Inspector George Gently. (Although I still miss the opening sequence that began in Season 2).
John Bacchus has lost his Beatles hairdo and looks more mature. Now he and George debate serious philosophical stances while solving cases. Essentially, this is the maturation of what the filmmakers were attempting in Season 5. Except - this time - it's well done. Unlike last season, these stories don't browbeat the audience with an exaggerated morality play. Instead, very deep social perspectives are debated while the cases go forward.
The George Gently - John Bacchus duo gets a pick-me-up with the introduction of a new character Rachel Coles, played with maximum aplomb by Lisa McGrillis. Rachel is a foil to John and it really spices up the chemistry of the scenes when the three are onscreen together.
Amazingly enough, this series is now better than ever!
SEASON SEVEN
After delivering a near perfect season six and just when you thought it was safe to watch Gently again, the filmmakers have returned to foisting abysmal soap opera scripts onto this cop show.
John Bacchus's character arc has retrograded. His haircut has changed back to a modified Beatles style. The viewer is inundated with the roller coaster story of John Bacchus and Gemma Nunn. Which is totally meaningless to the crime-solving plots. The only value that subplot has is filling up screen time. It's a cheap distraction leading nowhere. I fast-forwarded through all of those scenes.
The only saving grace in this pitiful season is Lisa McGrillis' performance as the unstoppable Rachel Coles. She is single-handedly saving this series. John Bacchus' character arc is going backwards. George Gently's arc has stalled. Rachel Coles is the only on-screen presence with a character arc that is proceeding forward. Without her, this series would effectively be over.
SEASON EIGHT
John Bacchus is now sporting a 70s hairstyle (No longer a Beatle-que hairdo). In the beginning of this episode he is as opinionated as ever. But by the end he has matured enough to admit his mistakes.
Facing his own mortality and the impending finish of his career, George Gently has accepted the writing on the wall and is willing to "let it all hang out" as they used to say. No longer holding back, he tells John exactly what he thinks of him. The undiluted honesty is like electric sparks between the characters.
Let's remember to mention Lisa McGrillis's outstanding contribution to the series. Her character, Rachel Coles, breathed new life into this series.
Alas, The Gently is dead. LONG LIVE GEORGE GENTLY! -
s-6305127 August 2021I have just finished watching all the series of George gently. There was only one thing wrong with it is that it has come to an end. Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby made a great team. I enjoyed every episode and it's something you can watch again. I would recommend it.
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djc_w28 April 2015I originally loved the series for the subjects it raised and how it went about it, though it could be a bit stuffy and judgemental at times.
I went off it completely when I realised that George Gently had become a hypocrite.
Spoiler of sorts.
In one episode he jails a police chief for the unfortunate outcome of actions he took to protect his disabled son, yet in a later episode, he happily uses an illegal firearm to protect himself from gangsters and corrupt police.
That was the last one I saw, as I lost any desire to see him judge people for behaviour he would ignore in himself. -
peteraskush15 November 2017The last episode of an otherwise fantastic run was a total miss. Very politicized with, of course, the United States of America somewhere in the back of things pulling strings. A bit of creative writing would have made a much more impacting finale. Alas, this show panders to the trendy and political correctness, as if the audience is not able to recollect what happened throughout the series history.