Ep 6. Love Means Nothing In Tennis

New Tricks season 9 episode 6 is entitled "Love Means Nothing In Tennis." The episode follows the UCOS team as they investigate the 2011 murder of a promising young tennis player, Alice Kemp, whose remains have been discovered in a woodland area near the court where she trained. The team's initial investigation leads them to her former coach, Joe Townsend, and his rival coach, Tom Heathfield, who had a contentious relationship with Townsend.

As UCOS digs deeper into the case, they discover that Alice's upbringing may have played a role in her death. Her parents, who are upper-middle-class professionals, were demanding and put extreme pressure on her to succeed at tennis. Alice's mother, in particular, had a controlling and manipulative personality, and her father seemed to be more concerned with his own ambitions than his daughter's welfare.

The team soon learns that Alice had recently broken off a long-term relationship with one of her fellow tennis players, Josh Tyler, who is now a coach at the club. As they delve into Josh's personal life, they uncover secrets that make him a suspect in Alice's murder. Meanwhile, Gerry's nephew, Ryan, is in trouble with the law once again, and Gerry fears that he will end up in prison.

As the investigation progresses, the team must navigate a complex web of relationships and emotions to solve the case. They discover that the world of competitive tennis is fraught with tension, rivalry, and abuse, and that Alice's death may be connected to a wider culture of exploitation and manipulation.

Along the way, the UCOS team faces personal challenges as well. Sasha struggles to reconcile with her estranged husband, Ned, while Steve tries to come to terms with his own troubled past. Danny, meanwhile, faces a crisis of conscience when he realizes that he may have overlooked important evidence in his eagerness to solve the case.

In the end, the team must work together to bring justice for Alice Kemp and to expose the dark secrets of the tennis world. As always, New Tricks delivers a gripping and suspenseful episode, full of twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. The show's trademark humor and heartwarming moments are also present, making for a well-rounded and satisfying viewing experience.