jamesaidan I watched most of this series when it was first aired. Such were my fond memories of the gentle, positive, humorous script coupled with the first- class professionalism of an outstanding group of actors, that I recently bought the entire work on DVD. So here's the problem: I've just watched the last episode and it's over! I am bereft!! I'm sure that all the crew have moved onwards and upwards, as they so richly deserve. But I want more! Oh well. C'est la vie. Anyway my message to you, dear reader is, don't believe all the cynical negatives you will see in certain of these reviews. This series was/is an example of the best TV drama in the World from the best broadcaster at the pinnacle of its powers. And for those who are unsure about the summary given above, it's Latin (well sort of)and says; 'Don't let the b**t*rds grind you down'.

Erik-Bloodaxe I wanted to like this,honestly I really did.It borrows heavily from the format of the 1970s cop show "The Chinese Detective" in which a detective of Chinese origin is posted to a station and has to deal with racism as well as the usual rigours of police work.However in the 70s Political Correctness didn"t exist so TCD had a bit of "edge"to it.In 55 Degrees North DC Nicky Cole {Don Gilet} has been transferred to Newcastle.Its a scrubbed up Newcastle where hardly anyone speaks with a Geordie accent-or at least a convincing one-and in the episode I saw Cole doesn"t seem to experience any racism at all.So what you are left with is a very low octane cop show where the one cance of making it different has been wasted,and the result is a sort of Soap Opera crossed with a Travelogue for Newcastle.At least it wasn"t peppered with four letter words though.

davideo-2 STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All CostsDetective Nicky Cole (Don Gilet) has moved from London to Newcastle after blowing the whistle on a corrupt colleague.Every week,he solves a different case.An underlying theme of the show seems to be the institutional racism that seems to go on in the police force on the Tyneside,originally highlighted in the first episode with the arrival of a new black copper.I could go in to great depth in to discussing how average I thought the show is,but ultimately,I have to admit my OLS above really hits it in a nutshell.Despite the huge effort the actors and writers appear to be going to in order to make it otherwise,the show just fails to everreally come together and be engaging or absorbing in any way.Despite a few nice touches (a thrilling chase scene in the first episode,some slick visuals,nice dialogue and a cool soundtrack),the illusion that you are not watching just a very average show is just never marred.Surprisingly,Tim Healy never made a guest appearance in any of the episodes.Oh well,there might be another season.Lets hope it's better.***

Simon_neil_scott All the previous comments have been fair, and yeah maybe they do show the Tyne-bridge AND and eye-bridge a lot in the show. But in all fairness what else are they going to show? The Tyne-Bridge is the perfect symbol of Newcastle, and if you actually knew the city, you'd realize you can actually see it from nearly everywhere you go anyway. But its very rare that programmes or films are ever set in Newcastle-upon-tyne and I'm thrilled that they've decided to make a show here. Television seems to have a dislike of using Geordies or Newcastle. (Yes i realize they made Byker-Grove here, but honestly, can we forget that show ever existed. It was the worst piece of dribble ever and made us all look like morons)Anyhow, its slightly annoying that the main character is a Southerner, and the other main character as the lawyer is Irish! you'd think the bbc had no faith in using Geordies and i sware more then one of those accents are fake.But full marks to the bbc for trying. Its a half decent show.Although, one last nag! There's no police station on the quayside in Newcastle, or anywhere near the eye-bridge, so where has this mysterious police station come from?