Inspector George Gently (TV Series) Gently Upside Down (2011) User Reviews

Abuse of trust

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 8 September 2011]

The return of this 1960's set police drama for its forth series starts with the body of a gifted seventeen year old school girl being found in the woods. Inspector Gently and Sergeant Bacchus are soon on the case and it soon becomes apparent that she had been involved with an older man. They will have their work cut out though as there are plenty of suspects; her friends suggest it may be her music teacher or it could be the host of a local television music programme who had taken her for a drink at least once or it could even be her father. As the case progresses it is discovered that she was pregnant and that the music teacher isn't the only member of her school's staff who had been involved with a pupil.

This was an interesting story that has plenty of twists and turns before it finishes and more potential suspects than most programmes of this type; in fact much of the non-regular cast could be considered a suspect at one time or another! Martin Shaw does a fine job as Gently and Lee Ingleby is great as his sergeant. The guest actors also do a good job; I especially liked seeing former 'Men Behaving Badly' star Neil Morrisey playing the TV host trying to be cool with the kids when they just thought he was a sad old letch. If you've enjoyed other stories in the series I'm sure you'll enjoy this, and if you are new to the series it isn't exactly difficult to pick up as each episode is an individual story.

Intriguing mystery set against a pop culture backdrop

[grantss · 8/10 · 30 July 2022]

Another intriguing mystery in the Gently series. This time we examine the world of pop culture and school-age teens being thrust into adult situations.

Maybe one twist too many at the end (always a weakspot in the series) but very interesting nevertheless.

Pop and media celebrity

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 27 May 2018]

As a huge fan of detective/crime/mystery series, there is the admission that it took me a while to start watching 'Inspector George Gently', worrying as to whether it would appeal to me for "can't put my finger on it" reasons other than being young at the time and not being as knowledgeable of the period. Getting into the show eight years ago and continuing to watch it without fail, it turned out to be simply wonderful and actually became a favourite.

After a very solid, if still settling, start in "Gently Go Man", it felt like 'Inspector George Gently' started to hit its stride with "The Burning Man" and that continued with "Bomber's Moon". The show hit a high point with "Gently with the Innocents" continuing in that way until dipping ever so slightly with "Peace and Love" and "Gently Upside Down". There is a lot here that is particularly good about 'Inspector George Gently' and it shows that it is not at all hard to see why the show appeals to many.

"Gently Upside Down" is not quite one of my favourite episodes from 'Inspector George Gently'. Nonetheless it is indicative that the show has found its feet and hit its stride. Let down only by the culprit not being the most surprising, if not as too obvious as that in "Peace and Love".

However, "Gently Upside Down", like the rest of the show, looks great, often beautiful. It is strikingly filmed and the scenery and period detail are atmospheric, handsome and evocative, a lot of work and care went into re-creating the period and it shows loud and clear. The music is stirring and haunting, dynamic with what's going on and never intrusive.

The writing has a lot of thought-provoking intelligence and balances subtle humour and drama very well and executing both individually just as well. The direction is alert and accommodating and the story, despite having an air of familiarity at times and not as rich as other stories for other episodes, is easy to follow and absorbing with a good deal of suspense. "Gently Upside Down", and 'Inspector Gently' in general, is very interesting for how British law was like in the 60s and how much it's changed and come on compared to now. It handles its brave subject matter beautifully too.

Love the chemistry between Gently and Bacchus, one of the most interesting and well-contrasted detective/crime/mystery drama pairings (perhaps the most interesting since Morse and Lewis). The two couldn't have more different personalities and how they gel and clash entertains and intrigues. Both are fascinating characters, and became even more fascinating as the show progressed.

Can't fault the acting, the continually brilliant performances from Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby here and throughout the show are career highs for both actors. All the support is good.

Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Gently's dogged pursuit of murder suspects

[barryrd · 26 February 2015]

This episode is a very sad story of the murder of a young girl, those who prey on her and other victims along the way. The young woman came from a family whose father was an alcoholic and whose mother left him years before. Her best friend's father taught her and used his position to take advantage of her. Another teacher was also romantically involved. Then there are dance television show hosts who use girls for their own purposes.

All are suspects from different walks of life, showing how murder does not discriminate by rank or status or even family relationship. It does appear that sick people seek victims wherever they can be found, although poor areas are much more vulnerable to criminality. The discovery of who actually committed the murder is a shock that does not exonerate the others from guilt. We see that victims have been sacrificed leading up to this murder, although none are ever brought to justice.

George Gently and his assistant John Bacchus pursue the nasty group of suspects. The two are well paired with Gently a mentor to the young Bacchus, who is a fierce bulldog trying to pin down the guilty party. Gently is just as fervent but much smoother and more in tune with human nature. Taking place in the 1960's with a generation gap that put youthful idealists against their conservative elders, Gently and Bacchus go against the grain. Gently is the compassionate one and Bacchus wants a return to the noose. The two different characters work well together and get along well. It takes time to nail this one down. However, towards the end, Gently had a notion that the case was not complete and he then proceeded to clinch the complete truth and its full extent.

The only one I've not loved

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 10 December 2018]

Gently upside down marks the first episode of George Gently that I haven't loved, as someone that's late catching up, I've been blown away by the quality.

If I'm honest I found this one quite boring, I found it easy to follow, but the story was done in such a way that I just couldn't engage with it. That said the properties were superb, they captured the era to perfection, clothes, music, buildings etc. It looked incredible.

Fabulous performances, Vincent Regan I thought was terrific, such a commanding performance. Neil Morrissey and Chris Coghill also excellent.

It is good, I've just come to expect so much. 6/10