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Feb 19, 2017Xoxolatl rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Between Seasons 10 and 12, quality has deteriorated from brilliant to adequate. The new cast lacks the chemistry of the originals, probably because the characters are poorly developed, behaving like models from a government-approved course on how to manage stress. No matter what they are faced with, Sasha is always The Positive and Assertive Modern Woman, Steve and Ted roguishly charming, Dan competent and calm. They’re like cartoon outlines that someone forgot to colour. The few weaknesses they are permitted are “acceptable” ones obviously designed to be charming and harmless, like a love of doughnuts or Ted’s superstitions. I miss Sandra’s bitchiness, Brian’s craziness, Gerry’s sleaziness, and Jack's moody self-righteousness. Also, rather than driving the plot, the characters’ behaviour and dialogue seems based on where the writers want the plot to go, so motivations too often don’t ring true, actions and dialogue become predictable, and the acting suffers. Scenes are too often contrived and manipulative, whether it’s gimmicky humour or soap-operatic drama. The “big reveal” at the end of the third episode, “The Curate’s Egg,” is so overwrought that it makes your average classical Greek tragedy look like cheerleader tryouts by comparison. Despite personal life storylines taking up more time, the cases are still interesting enough, the actors competent enough, and the police procedures credible enough that the series cannot be deemed actually bad, but it is nowhere near as good as it was for its first ten seasons. This series deserved to go out on a higher note, but I’m glad the producers realized it had run its course and called an end to it.