The essential episodes of Inspector George Gently
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Inspector George Gently — each pick states its reason.
- 01
An unidentified burnt body draws Inspector Gently and Detective Sergeant Bacchus into the shadowy world of IRA gun-running, and into direct opposition with a ruthless Special Branch officer.
- 02
When an old man is killed on the grounds of his seemingly dilapidated mansion, Gently and Bacchus dig deeper into the history of the former children's home and soon have their prime suspect, Harry Carson, a man who once lived there. But it becomes clear that some of the locals, including property developer Cora Davidson, have something to hide from the duo.
- 03
Bacchus and Gently arrive in a small town to investigate when a mill manager is found hanged in what seems to be a suicide case. However, the detectives begin to suspect foul play as they discover money has gone missing and the widow reveals her husband was having an affair. Also, Bacchus and Gently are at odds with each other over a training course Bacchus wants to take that he thinks will help him in his career.
- 04
The year is 1966, and the World Cup has come to England. With the USSR due to play at Roker Park, and the fear of the 'Reds Under the Bed' exemplified by the upcoming Polaris submarine landing at the nearby Jarrow docks, tensions are running high. Gently and Bacchus investigate the murder of a well-known left-wing academic, found dead in the docks after a CND rally.This takes them onto the Durham University campus - an ancient temple of learning, struggling to come to terms with the novel influx of students from the working class and brash, radical, academics. Sexual and social rebellion is everywhere, and to the young and optimistic these forces seem inevitable and unstoppable.
- 05
When the body of missing schoolgirl, Mary, is discovered in a shallow grave in Pinnock Woods, Gently and Bacchus are thrown into the new world of pop and media celebrity. Detective drama set in 1966, starring Martin Shaw and Lee Ingleby.
- 06
Chief inspector George Gently and Sergeant John Bacchus investigate the death of a beautiful young girl in a car belonging to local aristocrats.
- 07
It is 1968 and the shame of illegitimacy still burns the cheeks of single mothers and the families who force their unmarried daughters into 'mother and baby homes'. When the adopted child of a middle-class couple is kidnapped, suspicion falls upon the baby's birth mother. However, Gently and Bacchus's investigation into the mother and baby home itself reveals a much darker side to this hothouse of morality and raises serious questions about this seemingly perfect couple.
- 08
It has been four years since George Gently came north, but his old enemies haven't forgotten him. A vicious career criminal who Gently sent down years ago has been released, on the grounds that evidence was fabricated to frame him by Gently himself. And he is hell-bent on revenge. Suspended from duty, Gently finds himself powerless, unprotected and persecuted. If he is to survive, Gently must confront his deepest fears and fight to the death.
- 09
It is 1969, and approximately six months since the shootings in the cathedral. Gently is taken by surprise when he learns of Bacchus's resignation, realising that his sergeant has lost his confidence. Still suffering his own scars from the incident, Gently sets about fixing Bacchus and insists that he help him investigate a death in custody - a case that has both Gently and Bacchus questioning what it means to be a police officer at a time when attitudes to the police are changing. Meanwhile, the victim's family ask the pertinent question: 'aren't the police supposed to protect us?'.
- 10
Throughout the 60s, Northumberland coal mining was decimated as competition from oil, gas, cheap imports and nuclear power led to the closure of dozens of collieries. Burnsend is potentially one such community. Once a thriving colliery town, the future of the town's pit hangs in the balance as the coal board consider closing it. The mysterious death of the union leader in the mine leads Gently and Bacchus to explore the tensions and relationships in the community. They encounter families driven by politics and caught in grudges that date back to the Second World War.
- 11
A woman's body is found, brutally attacked. Gently wants to catch the killer and stop him attacking again. Worried that mistakes made have been down to one inspector, he becomes keen to get to the bottom of another mystery that is unfolding within the force.
- 12
Inspector Gently is intrigued as to why a woman has tragically committed suicide. There are too many details that don't add up, and he suspects murder. Why did this woman, a GP, want to end her life? Gently's investigation leads him and his team to the discovery of a bigger industrial crime, more murders and more victims. Gently puts his career on the line to uncover who is really to blame.
- 13
A man has thrown himself off the Tyne Bridge and is found dead, landed on a pile of rubbish. Or so it seems. Gently knows it's murder and believes it's one involving lifelong friends. Who would want to kill a man who was apparently loved by all?
- 14
It's 1969, and on Christmas Eve Gently is enjoying the festive cheer, until he gets news. A bank has been hit, and there's work to be done. Gently's hunt for the gunmen takes him into the world of skinheads. Gently has little fear, but the world is changing around him.Gently is later faced with a difficult dilemma. Does the law always have to be so cruel? Can he bend it just this once?
- 15
DCI Gently is set for retirement, but when DI Lister, the head of a new covert special investigations unit, presents him with an unsolved case, Gently can't resist one more intriguing offer. The case leads to political intrigue, corruption - and tests Gently to his core. When the team faces mortal danger, how will they survive?
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