Shetland, Series 8, BBC One review - same place but a different programme

This new series of Shetland bears no resemblance to previous series, for one reason only. Ruth Calder will never reach the popularity of Jimmy Perez. The plot so far is abysmal, and the language, i.e the continuous use of the FWord in the first episode is totally unacceptable, and unnecessary. If it were not for '"Tosh" the programme would be unwatchable. It's rubbish. Come back Douglas Henshall

I've only recently discovered Shetland and binge watched series 1-7 and despite some repetitive bits I have enjoyed it with Douglas Henshaw and Mark Bonner who carried the series admirably together with their families. I've never really taken to Tosh who strikes me more as a generic HR person rather than a police officer. Her escape and survival from the caravan explosion was a step too far for me. Missed opportunity to close off or completely refresh the cast. High profile guest stars is a great idea which adds considerably to the plots. Using other Scottish locations is another positive characteristic Which adds contrast and variety. 
have watched first episode of Series 8 but it sadly lacks gravitas  
I'll watch a few more to give it a chance but it's hardly even Cagney and Lacey.

The original team, Jimmy, Tosh, Sandy and Billy were a marriage made in Heaven on a par with all the greats: Dad's Army, Allo Allo, Summer Wine, to name but a few.  The chemistry between the main players is just fabulous and, of course, Douglas Henshall, although unlike Anne Cleeves original character, who was of Spanish descent, was absolutely wonderful in the role.  I was so upset when watching the last episode of series 7.  The tears flowed uncontrollably and I felt as if something very special had gone from my life.

i haven't dared watch the new series.  It would spoil all those lovely memories.

Never really liked Henshaw as an actor, although Shetland is probably the best thing I've seen him in, Two episodes into the new series setting up the new lead detective and I quite like it! Obviously starting with a bang I'm sure it will slide into a more relaxed series like when Henshaw was in it, we'll see.

I just started to watch episode 1 of series 8. I turned it off half way through. I can't see any reason for throwing the fword all through. It doesn't fit into my life and disgusts me. I won't bother with the rest of this episode and certainly won't be watching any further. 

Gee, rampant sexism, anyone? Tosh is 'insubstantial' as a character? By what/whose measure? I've always seen her as a complex young woman, particularly after parenthood presents her with the difficulties and inequities that come almost inevitably with the territory. The show may not be as it was, but to hang critique almost solely on the absence of two men (yes, fine actors), and then to rant about the perceived shortcomings of the women now dominant in the narrative (also played by fine actors) is lazy, simplistic, knee-jerk sexism. 

Seriously poor script and storyline. Nothing to do with Jimmy Perez not returning for Series 8 as the actors are doing their best to inject some life into dreary lines. Had to turn off ep. 3 tonight as it was slow and tedious. It like watching paint dry. The Haribo advert with the two police officers in the car has more about it than this dull offering. After enjoying 7 Series,  I'm done. 

For me, the show started to go downhill when the storyline was stretched over six episodes. This, however, has to be the worst: the police interview someone and you're waiting for them to ask the key question - and they don't bother; it jumps fro one red herring to another; the tired old big city gangsters plotline. Blah...

I really enjoyed the first episode of Shetland series 8. Acting by original cast and new actors high quality as was the story. Complex plot kept me thinking and guessing and this first episode seemed to setup the plot and mystery for the remainder of this series. Scenery as stunningly beautiful as always. Can't wait for second episode.

I loved Shetland but this new series 8 is terrible.  It's nothing to do with sexism as one person said it is about quality.  The new character played by Ashley Jenner is just continuing her role fom Agatha Raisen and is very supurfelous to the show.    It has lost its grit and direction and seems very lost. There was no need to introduce the F word as good programmes do not need to resort to that.  I can't remember it being used in great poular crime dramas like Morse,Lewis, Touch of Frost, Midsomer Murders etc.  BBC save the money and ditch this car crash.

I loved Shetland with Jimmy Perez and I love the new series just as much! 
The new opening sequence and music are lovely - a refreshing update on the old.
It's great to see Tosh's character developing and Ruth Calder promises to be equally as interesting a character as Jimmy Perez was.
I'm enjoying the storyline too and look forward each week to the next episode.
Sometimes a change like this is hard. I watched and loved watching Jimmy through seven series and was sad when it all ended. People move on. Jimmy is no doubt happy in his retirement and I couldn't be happier with the new series.
Thank you BBC and all involved, for not letting viewers down and for making the transition a positive one.

Pleased at Shetland returning to our screens I have waited three episodes before comment. As others have said the Perez disappearance was always going to be difficult to replace. 
A new team has understood the islands visual impact on this unique series but not the challenge of replacing the main character. Is budget the problem? Watching the juxtaposition of the two principal characters, too frequently shown side by side Tosh wins hands down, not only by familiarity but because the income is played as dour, almost surley with her Shetland roots stretching credulaty as a plot. If the producers cannot afford a suitable replacement then not trying seems a preferred step with the familiar faces carrying the show together with the star, Shetland. I must admit I am now hoping that with a proliferation of gunfire that one bullet is saved for the Calder character. What a relief and then Series 9 can proceed with a more comforting and familiar format.

it wasn't broke so stop trying to fix it!

British programming is all I watch on my television, Acorn, BritBox and some PBS, by and large I enjoy every minute of a great variety of the shows.  American TV series have become too violent, boring car chases through city streets and unecessary use of curse words is past being called acceptable. SO, here comes the "but" I do have a bit of a problem understanding the various differences of the languages spoken in these series, i.e. Irish, Scottish, Welsh and even English. SO, where is the closed caption in series #8, episode #1 of Shetland? I'm hoping it will show up in the next episode otherwise, sometimes, I'm lost as to what the characters are saying. I respeck the languages and the actors, this is not meant as unkind criticism...

it's just that not only am I an American but a Texan so I do understand "differences in pronunciation". Any help with this missing item will be appreciated.

I think we all knew it would be very different without Jimmy, but I never expected the new series to lack the warmth and depth that the new series clearly lacks. I cannot warm to Ashley Jensen in the role she plays, her character is unpleasant and in no way likeable, whlie poor is Sandy pushed to the side. thank goodness the original series is still available to watch on catchup

I loved Shetland for 7 seasons. Not any more. This was awful. So many ridiculous plot devices. The hit men happen to find Ellen at a store in all of Shetland? A richoteing bullet? Ellen escapes Tosh and Calder from a house with nothing but wide open spaces around and they can't find her? And on and on. About 7 or eight really outrageous events that make no sense. What an insult to the great show that was once Shetland. One and done for me.

Just watched episode 1 of Season 8. I really miss Jimmy Perez, but I'll keep watching because I've always liked Tosh. Also, Phyllis Logan was very good as the tough matriarch -- so different from the sweet character she played in Downtown Abbey. She has impressive range.

Hopefully in Series 8 the production quality will be restored. Some of the episodes in Series 7 were terrible i.e. ponderous, inappropriate synthesizer music destroying any potential tension in crucial interview scenes. What was wrong with silence? And inexplicably some Series 7 episodes downgraded the photography direction and camera work to the stage that we thought we were watching 'The Bill'. We were completely baffled by this quality shift coming and going through the series. Even some of the acting in the lesser roles was amateurish. Such a pity, as Series 1-6 really maintained a good standard, and the casting of Douglas Henshall gave us one of the most memorable TV cops - whose quiet authority and emotional vulnerability was superbly judged.

I really wanted to like the new ‘Shetland’, but oh, how I miss Jimmy Perez. Douglas Henshall grounded the show, and his portrayal of Perez gave a sense of authority while his emotional vulnerability made you root for him. He made you believe you knew what he was thinking without saying anything. Ruth has been sulky and moody and made it very clear she doesn’t want to be on Shetland. Frankly I don’t care if she leaves. I love Tosh but she seems to have undergone a personality transplant and we can’t see her face through a curtain of hair – in fact there’s too much hair flying around in the wind altogether. Because Tosh is sharing the DI role, no-one seems to be in charge. The new Fiscal is about as inspiring as a wet weekend. The plot is completely impenetrable and littered with F-words. The camerawork makes it difficult to work out the layout of the police station. The scenery alone remains spectacular.

I persisted with the new series hoping I would be won over and would understand what was going on but failed and I’m not sure I’ll be there if a new series is made. I know other shows have made good transitions when the lead chooses to leave, but If this is the best you can do following Douglas Henshall’s (and Duncan and Cassie’s) departure, let’s bring the show to an end and we’ll remember it the way it was.

Briefly, season 8 sucks!

I have loved this series and mourned the loss of the Jimmy Perez character. I think that the addition of Jensen and character DI Ruth Calder to the series is a terrible mistep that the series may not survive. I am not at all impressed with Jensen's acting, and the character has already committed unethical, sackable offenses as a DI. Send her packing! The character Tosh developed during the past several seasons, and she could carry the show, if the writing now strengthened Robertson's character, Sandy, too. Tosh has become a skilled DI and leader. Instead, he is wasted. Julie Graham is sorely missed too. They do need to develop storylines with the existing characters or bring in others that provide some tension, conflict, or interest. Perhaps someone more skilled and interesting in Julie Graham's place. Jensen is not it. 

I hate the new show. I couldn't make it through the first episode. Why is this new DI here? Tosh should have been promoted and a new character, if one was needed, added at the bottom. We didn't need a new character, we just needed better writers.

Saw a comment that Douglas Henshall said there weren't so many roles for middle aged men....maybe he could be enticed back to Shetland. Shetland season 8 is terrible. Without Perez and the shows original integrity, it won't survive-- nor should it!

Ashley Jensen is a train wreck. Her emotional responses to the events that occur hurt my teeth. They completely distract from the main plot of the episodes and make the season chaotic and hard to follow. Get rid of her!

it takes 2 women to replace Perez? How cute. Doesn't work of course. Tosh needs to be in charge. She'll grow into the role. Otherwise this mishmash will drown in its own banality.

I loved Shetland with Jimmy Perez,  Tosh was always a favorite. I did enjoy Season 8, but I think it dragged somewhat in places. Tosh should be in charge. I loved Ashley Jensen in Agatha Raisin. Her character here could be annoying at times. I will keep watching. Please let there be a season 9 (with Tosh in charge).  No matter what, I will always be a fan. 

Disliked Calder immediately, but stuck around to watch the whole season because I've missed Tosh and Sandy and Billy.  And the gorgeous scenery and mournful theme song.  So having just finished episode 6, I can say that I'm glad Tosh finally stopped calling herself "temporary" DI, and I hope she's put in charge next season.  If there is a next season.  Calder was a bad idea, badly written and badly cast.  It never got better.  She cannot replace Perez, let alone succeed him.  Tosh earned that privilege over 7 seasons.  She is no one's sidekick.

Like most reviewers I struggled with the casting and story line changes. But the overall Shetland music, scenery, and mood were still present so I stuck with it. To me the Jensen/Ruth Calder character didn't seem to be taking over. Her complex history was woven into the whole season and in the end I was grateful to have gotten the background on her. She didn't just have a history but grew as a person throughout the season. The ever self-contained Tosh character was vital and strong in taking the reins as Temporary DI. While as a good leader should, her open mind allowed unfolding events to have their place in the wings mindful they may have significance. She was strong in pursuing leads and reigning in Calder's secretiveness, pushing for openness and when appropriate closing the door on her role in the case. Yes the red herrings required some patience but not unlike previous seasons which include an abundance of personal dramas of key characters.The wrap-up scene shows promise of further Tosh/Calder investigation. That supports Tosh's goal not to leave Shetland in order to work as a (permanent) DI if that's her future goal. Calder as DI for now could be a win/win for both characters while they allow growth in their personal lives. Over time Tosh's family will get older and possibly move off island for that purpose but for such a young family seem like a wise trade-off. In the meantime I have confidence the stories will go forward with a good mix of local character development, mystery, yes, red herrings, great pacing, intriguing episodes, signature music, and amazing visual. Bring on Season 9. Have some patience people.

Ashley Jensen as Ruth Calder has completely ruined a good Shetland series, I'm afraid she should  stay as Agatha Raisin, border line comedy does not work in the Shetland series. The writer is not so good either.

Season 8? Just horrible. I blame the writers mostly, but the new character either can't act or was directed to "act" the way she comes across. I'm not familiar with her, so I don't know if she comes across the same way in other roles. Trying to stretch the storyline over 6 episodes that certainly could have wrapped up nicely in three, just makes me cringe how stupid it really is. Like I said, that's on the writers. I was so hoping that the show would be able to make without Jimmy Perez. I certainly won't be watching it if changes are not made next season. No need to let a great show die a horrible death of incompetence.