I agree with you. I felt totally confused after last night's episode and as I can't remember anything from the earlier series a lot of it went over my head.
I have watched them all recently as I was a late comer to the series. I really liked series 1-4, less bothered about series 5 but did enjoy the first episode of the new series. There are plenty of places on internet where you can read reminders of old plots and how they link to the new series if you have forgotten. But like everything what some people love others will dislike, so you will not be on your own Maydup.
It's always been one of my favourite programmes, but I was a bit disappointed with it last night. I do think though, that it takes a while to get into it and so I'm hoping it will get more interesting. I find programmes more watchable when there is an actor in it that I enjoy watching as in Keeley Hawes, Stephen Graham and Thandie Newton. The earlier series with Daniel Mays, Craig Parkinson and Neil Morrisey were great.
OH loves it and we have watched all episodes of every series and he has rewatched them too! But I am so unimpressed Ma’am! Yes Boss! Who’s the Chis? Are you UCO or just a drama Queen?!
the present Mrs Hughes and I have just binge-watched up to Series Four which is where we are now, so please no spoilers.
We really like it - although I was a little distratced by Keeley Hawes' new face (debated elsewhere) but still, I am very much enjoying the new series, we watch it while we have our tea, and then I watch Are You Being Served?, which I also love, obviously for competely different reasons - one being Candy Davis ...