We asked for your comments on Waking The Dead, you said:
"All loose ends were tied up believably."
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"Another excellent episode of this fantastic drama. The story was not at all convoluted as many people often think and all loose ends were tied up believably.
The top class acting ensured that we felt everything that the characters did. I felt very sorry for Stella when the team were leaving her out, but it is perfectly understandable why they did so.
I am continually impressed by this drama and the excellent scripts, plus the interaction between the characters feels natural and realistic.
With excellent guest stars in Diane Parish and David Hayman*, brilliant acting from the core cast and a fabulous script, I think this episode shows that Waking The Dead is television drama at its very best.
And to those that criticise over what they deem to be 'too much violence', this show is now in its fifth series and the title does give some indication as to the nature of the programme. If you think you will be offended by it, don't watch. It's that simple."
May, Cumbria
"It would be nice to have the plot properly explained."
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"I honestly think this is the most obscure plot creation I have come across to date, an enjoyable challenge if it all hangs together at the end. The two episodes have ended and no-one can explain the relationship between Sheryl and Vine, let alone the motivation for framing Boyd with the hit and run.
It would be nice to have the plot properly explained, otherwise it will simply be too frustrating a series to invest time in watching."
Anthony, UK
"What a great episode, but why are the final five minutes so disappointing? Is this deliberate, leaving so many unanswered questions so that you keep thinking about the programme? Who shot Palliser?"
Mike Coombes, Solihull
"I think that who really killed Sheryl's husband was DC Stan Gulley, not Vince."
Christian, Waterloo
"The story was getting really interesting, but ended with a few minutes of gun fire. It completely let down the viewer. What happened to the bad guy? Gulley I think? (didn't see the start). This could have easily run onto a third episode and built into a super finalé. Seems as if the writer lost interest at a critical time."
Nick Williams, Newquay
"I disagree with some viewers in that I am refreshed to at last find a programme that does not have a simple, over-exposed plot to follow. Complex crimes have difficult plots. This series allows the viewer the indulgence of really getting to grips with complex analysis as befits such a team of professional researchers."
Matt, North Yorkshire
"One of the best stories of the five series so far."
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"This was one of the best stories of the five series so far. Not only was the plot superb with a great twist at the end, but the character developments were spot on. Unlike the previous story, Towers Of Silence, in this episode the character relationships across the team developed really well. Felix came to life after a somewhat cardboard start, and Stella's introduction to the team was very well worked in.
And we didn't have any of those plastic dead bodies - it's always better without them. The storyline was a real cliffhanger and didn't need anything beyond the plot itself to make things work.
It feels like there is a new Cold Case team fully working now around the intriguing relationship between Trevor Eve and Sue Johnston. Great stuff. BBC, book in that sixth series."
Jeff Rowbottom, UK
"This was better if you could ignore the improbabilities of the plot. More intelligent dialogue and less gratuitous violence and ghoulishness can't be bad. If they keep on making these improvements, it could become decent enough drama.
Trevor Eve is much better to watch when he's not talking down to everyone, but I wish Spence would lighten up a little. Can't they give him a bit of a sense of humour, at least to make him seem more human? None of them seem to have much of a sex or social life. All work and no play, as they say, makes Jack a dull boy. It works for Jill too. The characters need to be given some private life and made more interesting."
Hazel Woodcock, Bath, Somerset
"I'm loving the new series of Waking The Dead - and must say that I enjoyed this story much more than the previous one. It had a plot that was a lot easier to follow, less intrusive background music and finally a bit of insight into the characters' emotions - Boyd doubting himself? Unheard of surely! Gripping stuff."
Gemma, Devon
"Good plot BUT could programmes please say that he is 'LIVING with cancer' and not DYING from it to give hope to the thousands of cancer suffers in the world."
Jancie Field, Hampshire
"The glorious return of my favourite series. Back is the incredible interaction between Trevor Eve and Sue Johnston, back are the fierce arguments, and back is the honest humour to lighten the mood.
However, the series is tainted slightly with the rather obvious attempt to replace old characters with identical new ones. Anyone else notice the brunette forensic scientist with a guy's name?. This is a common mistake made with on-going series.
From a viewer's perspective, I think it would be better to have characters contrasting those they are replacing. This would be much more interesting in terms of how the existing characters adapt to the new ones, and vice versa. Of course I accept that to keep the male/female equilibrium, the new characters usually have to be of the same gender as those they are replacing. But would it not be better, in order to move the series on, to cast original characters?"
Marie, Surrey
"Boyd would surely have been removed from his post by now."
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"Waking The Dead used to be a good programme - but now it is clear that the writers have lost it. Boyd is played as so psychologically scarred that surely he would have been removed from his post by now.
This story had so many loose ends and silly missed points it was just unbelievable. Boyd's blood alcohol level was apparently never tested. The victim's wife could apparently form a relationship with the villain in jail and no-one noticed. The villain can smuggle drugs OUT of jail to his unknown girlfriend so that she can spike Boyd's drink (on the off chance!) Come on, put some reality back into the scripts"
Mike, New Forest
"I enjoyed this story as it showed that Boyd is a less than perfect policeman."
Sue, Yorkshire
"A gritty storyline, dark, shady characters, real tension between the regulars during the framing of Boyd, and a clever but not overly complicated plot. The new cast members have really blended in and the evidence is clear that there's plenty of life left in this show yet."
Bobby Fackrell, Bristol
"This story demonstrated, once again, a strong storyline, and very strong characters and relationships. Grace, Spence and Boyd were involved in some of the best character interaction I've ever seen. A classic moment was when Boyd shouts into the interview room, questioning the doctor on the effects of the drug, and then realises he wasn't driving the car."
Chris Pattinson, South Shields
"I really looked forward to this new series - but I'm so disappointed. The plots have become incredible - Trevor Eve's character has become more petulant and unlikely - and although I won't stop watching, I won't be devastated if I miss it now, which I always was in the past. Wake up - a really good show is being spoilt here."
M.R., Inverness
"Trevor Eve has to be the best actor in British TV drama."
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"Trevor Eve has to be the best actor in British TV drama. He makes every single word matter and conveys an intensity of emotion which is totally compelling in this consistently excellent series."
Angela Bailey, Nottingham
"Someone should tell Trevor Eve he's not De Niro."
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"Dreadful. The last series had some intriguing episodes, but so far this season is pathetic. The director of this episode needs a barrelful of adrenaline, and someone should tell Trevor Eve he's not De Niro. The man is so in love with himself and has ruined what used to be a compelling lead character and turned him into a joke. Good luck - I won't be tuning in from here on."
Eric Vandelay, Leeds
"Congratulations on having a new camera and being able to pan in pictures on top of one another. The effect, although artistic, becomes a distraction if overused as it was in this episode. It felt like the director had a new toy that they wanted to keep playing with.
As for Boyd's character, can he become a little more realistic? Eccentric is fine and adds colour. But when it borders on the childish, and then rudeness, when dealing with his subordinates, then surely performance reviews in the Met would weed this out? And he could not maintain such a position of responsibility. Please can we have less childishness and immaturity or make Grace the boss and let him play around in a pen with the others, throwing dummies and toys when he wants to rant and rave. Pity that a good character with potential is being unnecessarily spoilt."
Dick, London
"No wonder they have trouble solving Boyd's latest case. Especially when automatic pistols with a hammer at the rear, and a slide, metamorphose themselves into Lugers. It's quite a feat. It also shows a complete lack of continuity. I'm also not sure if 9mm parabellum ammunition (for the Luger) was manufactured in East Europe, but I'm open to correction. Will it turn out to be the Butler who did it or Colonel Mustard, with a three-shot Wellrod?"
Clive Lane, Reading, Berks
"One of the best episodes yet. The team on the edge of falling apart, split loyalties between the two largest male egos and the sneaking in of a new team member - all with Boyd on the edge of being deposed.
Good twist on the plot, but an all too quick ending - did the other bad cop get away?"
James, Portsmouth
"I particularly liked the scene where Grace counselled Boyd."
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"The opening two-part story was slightly disappointing, and I was concerned that with the absence of Mel and Frankie that the Cold Case drama had run its course.
However I'm pleased to say that this story was a superb return to form, with Boyd and Grace on top form throughout. The plot was gripping, the conclusion totally unexpected and I loved the tension between Boyd and Spencer. I didn't like the new pathologist, Felix, in the first story, but I enjoyed her character this time, and warmed to the new French recruit. I particularly liked the scene where Grace counselled Boyd, and the car-accident plot was riveting. A terrific return to form for a gripping television drama."
Ben, Manchester
"It was brilliant, but I didn't understand how the widow and Vine ended up in a room together. He acted as if they had had an affair, which they obviously hadn't. I was left a bit confused."
Katie Burton, UK
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