Inspector George Gently review

Rating:5/5

It’s been more than 6 months since I had begun watching this incredible show. I had been wishing to review this show for a very long time, but I couldn’t just stop watching it. I just couldn’t get enough of the show to give it a break to sit down to review it. I almost felt if I review the show, that’s more like putting an end to watching it. But finally I have made up my mind to review it, not that I am going to stop watching it.

                       

Inspector George Gently, from the outside, is like any other cop drama on television. Every episode revolves around a case with the detective duos striving to find the killer. The show has its up and downs, and twists and turns, with various characters performed by guests stars. The personal lives of the lead characters are touched, with predominantly them not having a very happy life. Yet, this show stands out clearly and magnificently from the rest.

The significant plus point of the show is the era it is set in. 1960s. The makers of the show has beautifully pictured the show to reflect on the 60s, right from the costumes, the cars, the buildings, the roads and definitely the culture and development of those times. At a point, I felt wondered how the police of then solved the cases. With no technology especially mobile phones, the detectives then went about to all the places, took down notes, and investigated the cases using one and only their brains. They had to go through mountains of paperwork to find one small detail whereas now, a punch to a key can list down all the details needed about a person. Things like this awed me and the meticulous detailing given to the props in the scenes- kudos to the team which worked on putting the show together to this marvelous extent.                                 

The show revolves around the two leads- George Gently, an aged experienced officer who stands for honesty and fights against corruption leading to him not being a very popular person in the police circle. John Bachchus- his sergeant and side kick who believes in shortcuts to success. He is witty and charming, could be arrogant and insulting too. His antics irritate George but also bring a lot of light into his life. George, who was at the verge of leaving the service after his wife’s murder decides to stay back and nurture his young and potential sergeant from swaying into the wrong path.

                       

Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby play their roles brilliantly. They bring the characters to life and we could reason with both the characters’ actions. Gradually, we also feel the bond developing between both the characters- a father and son bond which both never acknowledges openly but their care and concern for each other is very heart warming. George always tries to help John with his personal life without the other’s knowledge, be it talking to John’s divorced wife to let him see his daughter more often or bring John and his father closer. And John- he always stands beside George during all his problems and trusts him unconditionally, be it when George was framed for corruption or when he gets diagnosed with illness. Yet, the banter that goes between both these characters adds a lot of fun and entertainment.

Every episode has a message to learn and also gives a glimpse of how the world was back in the 60s and how things have changed for the better and the worse. Editing and photography adds a lot to the show’s quality and the music transports us back to the era splendidly.

Each episode runs for around 90 minutes which could be considered slow considering the episodes are only 45 min nowadays. But the story unravels slowly bringing every supporting character into perspective, letting the viewers solve the case along with the detectives.

This show would definitely make it to my top 10 shows and is one of those few shows which I never get bored watching again and again.