Cold Feet Series 5 [VHS]

The irresistible wit, comedy and drama we have come to expect from Cold Feet is again obvious in Series 5, but the lives of the ensemble of friends have changed almost beyond recognition. Adam (James Nesbitt) and Rachel (Helen Baxendale) are preoccupied with baby son Matthew, the stable Marsden family has disbanded and fall-guy Pete looks to have found true love at last. It seems wholly appropriate that Cold Feet should end at this juncture and it's all the more fitting that the show is given such a first-class send off. That's not to say that everything is conveniently tidied up in the final episode, nor that the series has run its course to the point of becoming dull. There's still much to enjoy in this fifth series, a triumph of scriptwriting, acting and production values that stands on a level with anything from the previous episodes, or indeed with anything else on television.

Simply put, it's the astonishing twist in the tale that singles this series out as the right place to stop. Cold Feet devotees will be hard pushed to hold back the tears in what is an emotional rollercoaster ride. It's all the more credible for the way it's presented: there's no over-the-top dramatics, no over-long sentimentality and no over-acting to speak of.

Writer Mike Bullen insists he penned his best script for the final episode of the final series. Few would disagree, for the conclusion soars above the inevitable difficulties in ending this long-running comedy-drama to deliver a highly memorable finale. Frankly it's impossible to imagine how this unique show could have ended any better. --David Thwaites