Ep 7. Communal Living

The popular British crime drama "New Tricks" follows a team of retired police officers who are recruited to help solve cold cases. In season 5 episode 7, titled "Communal Living," the team investigates the death of a wealthy businessman found dead in a communal living house.

The episode begins with the team discussing their current case, which involves the death of a man named Simon Wellings. Wellings was found dead in a communal living house, where he had been living with a group of young people who are part of a new-age spiritual community. The team is assigned to investigate the case, which they believe is a potential murder.

The retired police officers begin their investigation by visiting the communal living house and talking to the other residents who lived with Wellings. They discover that the house is run by a charismatic leader named Sarita, who preaches about the benefits of communal living and spiritual enlightenment. The team suspects that the residents are hiding something and are not being completely honest with them.

As they continue their investigation, the team uncovers a web of secrets and lies within the community. They discover that Wellings had been romantically involved with one of the residents, which had caused tension and jealousy among the group. The team also learns that Sarita has a history of manipulating her followers and using her position of power to exploit them.

Throughout the episode, the team must navigate the complex dynamics of the community to find the truth behind Wellings' death. They face challenges and setbacks, but eventually uncover a shocking revelation that points them towards the real culprit.

As with the rest of the series, "Communal Living" is a compelling and well-written episode that combines elements of crime drama, mystery, and character-driven storytelling. The retired police officers who make up the team are all unique and interesting characters with their own quirks and personalities. The episode also explores themes of cults, manipulation, and the dangers of blindly following a charismatic leader.

Overall, "Communal Living" is a great episode of "New Tricks" that will appeal to fans of the show as well as newcomers to the series. It is a well-crafted and engaging mystery that will keep viewers guessing until the very end.