Ep 1. End of the Line

In the first episode of the eighth season of the British crime drama television series New Tricks, the team is called in to investigate a particularly puzzling case. The episode, titled End of the Line, kicks off with the discovery of a body on a train platform. At first glance, it appears to be a hit-and-run accident. However, as the team digs deeper, they discover that there may be much more to the story than meets the eye.

The victim is identified as a transportation engineer named Malcom Pembroke. Pembroke was well-respected in his field and had been working on a major project to upgrade the city's railway network. He was also a known advocate for better public transportation, often speaking out publicly on the subject. With this in mind, the team begins to wonder if Pembroke's death was really an accident at all.

As the investigation progresses, the team uncovers a web of corruption and deceit surrounding the railway project. They find evidence of backroom deals, under-the-table payments, and even sabotage. The team realizes that anyone involved in the project – including Pembroke himself – may have been a target for those who wanted to keep the corruption hidden.

Throughout the episode, the team must navigate through a maze of conflicting information and hidden agendas. They interview coworkers, family members, and close friends of the victim in an attempt to get to the truth. Along the way, they uncover a secret society of railway enthusiasts and encounter a cast of colorful characters, including a retired train driver who may hold the key to the whole case.

Despite many challenges and dead-ends, the team eventually begins to piece together the puzzle. They discover that Pembroke's death was not an accident, but rather a carefully planned homicide. The motive, it turns out, was greed – someone stood to gain a great deal of money by stopping the railway project from moving forward.

In the end, the case is solved thanks to the team's dogged determination and expert investigative skills. As always, the show's trademark mix of offbeat humor and serious drama makes for an entertaining and engaging hour of television. Fans of the show will be delighted by the return of their favorite characters – Jack, Sandra, Gerry, and Brian – and new viewers will be hooked by the show's intelligent writing and strong performances. All in all, End of the Line is a great start to the eighth season of New Tricks and promises more exciting episodes to come.