This episode was transmitted to air on 28/12/1978.
Written by Ted Childs
Directed by Tom Clegg
The murder of a payroll security guard is investigated by the flying squad when the local police force have no luck in arresting the killer. Chief Superintendent Canning clashes with Regan who manages to successfully wrap up the case. They had worked together back in the 1960s and are far from friends.
Jack Regan is forced to face serious corruption charges from nine years earlier when he worked with Canning.
This is an extremely watchable episode due to the strength of John Thaw's performance and the feeling that the fate of Jack Regan with the Flying Squad is uncertain. The final speech by Regan to Haskins and a listening Carter is gold.
I think it shows the real skill of John Thaw as an actor expressing disgust, controlled rage, sadness etc. in one very long monologue.
I would think that people reading this thread would have watched this episode, but SPOILER ALERT now as I transcribe the dialogue from the final powerful scene.
Haskins: "Congratulations Jack."
Carter: "Yeah, well done."
Regan: "George I owe you, you know that."
Haskins: "Can't wait to have you back on the firm Jack."
Regan: "You're going to have to wait a long time Frank after this little lot."
Haskins: "Come on Jack, there's no need to be like that."
Regan: "I want to be like that Frank, do you know why?
Because I am utterly and abjectly p***ed off with this little lot. I've given the best years of my life to the job.
I've got 18 bloody commendations if you include the one I didn't get yesterday! And how does this wonderful police force show its gratitude for all my years of unstinting effort ?
It bangs me up in a grubby little cell like some cheap little villain, all because of a toerag called Hutchinsons got a few bottles twitching on the 5th floor. Now because that poor little bastard had the guts to get off his arse I'm going to have to be reinstated and what do you bunch of bleeding double dyed hypocrites want now?
You want me to crawl back to work and be terribly grateful that I didn't get nicked for something I didn't do. Well you can stuff it!"
He goes out to hail a taxi.
Carter: "Guv'nor, Jack, Oi !"
Regan: "Sorry George but I've had it. I've had it up to here."
Carter: "But..."
Regan: "You're a prince mate, you know that don't you."
Carter: "Ah shut up. Look lets go and have a drink before they open eh? Come on."
Regan: "No, no I've got to get away mate. Just have a think, it's all too...well you know. See ya mate."
Haskins walks out as Regan leaves in the taxi. George looks troubled.
Haskins: "He'll be back. He needs the job like an alcoholic needs booze."
Carter: "Yeah?"