Pleased to know about the mulberry tree removal.
How is the first guy coming back? Isn’t the character dead?
I think the Irish guy is charming, but I agree that the amusement value has declined. The young woman constable, the Commissioner’s niece, is way overdone, and the new sergeant is no fun at all.
Yes, but somehow, it’s in the script, so I’m not going to argue. It’s a cameo appearance and that could mean anything. Also, his “love-hate” interest is coming back in the same episode. So is her “mother.” I think not permanently for either woman.
I guess the lesson here is that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The commissioner’s over-the-top niece is leaving with the new sergeant in the last episode of Season 9, so that should improve the humor aspect. Sergeant Florence Cassell is coming back, evidently on a permanent basis but JP Hooper is leaving at the end of episode 8, season 9.
I think the amusement value dropped because there was no actual chemistry between the actors. In a series like this, that chemistry is vital to keep the interest of the viewers.
OK, since you asked the question about the first DI coming back, I thought it didn’t make sense (again) so checked in another spot. It’s the second one that’s coming back — DI Humphrey Goodman. He was good, but my favorite will always be Ben Miller/Richard Poole!