I agree that it works better with a case an hour, rather than over two episodes. However, along with it not really being a second series, there's also the fact that we're, effectively, 4 characters missing from the first series. I'd actually say that these episodes were/are a lot more like 24 than the first series. Despite that, it's still really good and still love it.
Anyway, as for what I like. I like a lot, but I truly love the following:
Porridge, Blackadder (2-4), The Good Life, Garth Marenghi's Dark Place, Phoenix Nights, Till Death Us Do Part, Yes, Minister/Yes, Prime Minister, Open All Hours, Stella Street, The Young Ones, The Thin Blue Line, 'Allo, 'Allo (well, the first few series anway), Absolutely Fabulous, Gavin & Stacey, Are You Being Served? and Outnumbered.