Man, do I lurve this show. It's funny, because I watched the first three episodes thinking, "good show, if only the male lead were hot." Then sometime during the fourth episode the John Simm Stealth Hotness totally kicked in and left me drooling. And, of course, eye candy aside, the series is lovely for all the reasons you mention.

I am looking forward to the sequel series, Ashes to Ashes, which is supposed to premiere in February. Eighties fashion, New Wave music, and Keeley Hawes should make interesting additions to the 'verse. Though I'll always miss Sam Tyler.