Ep 4. Coming Out Ball

New Tricks is a British television show about a team of retired police officers who are recruited to work on unsolved cases. In season 7 episode 4, titled "Coming Out Ball," the team investigates the cold case of a young man who committed suicide after attending a ball at a prestigious private school.

The episode begins with the discovery of a letter that was found in a loft by a new homeowner. The letter was written by a young man named James and describes his experience attending a ball at Middleton Manor School over 20 years ago. James was gay and had never been to a social event with others like him. He was excited to attend the ball, hoping to finally feel accepted. However, his experience was anything but enjoyable. He was bullied and harassed for his sexuality, causing him to leave the event early and ultimately take his own life.

The team is brought onto the case to investigate whether James' death was a suicide or the result of a hate crime. They interview James' former classmates, teachers, and even the headmaster at the time. But they soon discover that the school is more concerned with covering up any wrongdoing than helping them find the truth.

As the team digs deeper into the case, they face many obstacles along the way. Their investigation is hindered by prejudice, blackmail, and deceit. But they are determined to get to the bottom of what really happened to James that fateful night.

Throughout the episode, we see the team's personal struggles relating to the case. Brian, who is gay himself, finds the case particularly difficult to deal with and struggles to remain objective. Gerry, who attended a similar school in his youth, is forced to confront his own past experiences with bullying. And Sasha begins to question whether she is doing the right thing when her own biases are brought to the surface.

There are many twists and turns in the investigation, but the team eventually discovers the truth about what happened to James. And while they cannot bring him back, they are able to give him the justice he deserves.

Overall, New Tricks season 7 episode 4, "Coming Out Ball," is a poignant and emotional episode that tackles issues surrounding homophobia and bullying. It showcases the team's unwavering dedication to justice and highlights the importance of acceptance and equality.