George Gently (2007-2010)

I really like this BBC crime drama, which is set in Northumberland in the early to mid 1960's.  George Gently (superbly played by Martin Shaw) is a man who was on the brink of retirement when his wife is murdered.  He initially comes to town tracking a bad guy, and decides, for a variety of reasons, to stay.  His side kick is Detective Sergeant John Bacchus (played by Lee Ingleby), a man using the methods of detecting that cops were known for at the time--intimidation, jumping to conclusions, and wanting to quickly wrap up a case rather than solve mystery.  He is unhappily married, given to overspending, a bit full of himself and vulnerable  in a number of ways.  Gently is part boss, part role model, part parent to him.  Gently is more methodical, careful, reflective, and stubborn.  They make a good pair, as it happens.

I have a self-admitted addiction to this genre--the BBC does crime dramas like no others, and there are very few that are not worth watching.  George Gently is a cut above this very good fray--the character himself is very good, there are many fewer resources at hand to solve cases with, and the stories are really nicely written.  It is very nice to see the 1960's in England portrayed through the lens of law enforcement--that was the brink of big social change, and it wasn't always easy on the police--nor did they always put their best foot forward.  Finally, the generation gap between Gently and Bacchus allows for a demonstration of some of those changes over time.  Gently is a kind and humane man, portrayed next to some compatriots who may have less patience for their fellow man.  If you like this genre, this is a great series.