The Great Plane Robbery

Bailey (George Baker) is the mastermind behind a gold bullion robbery from an Aeroflot plane that has just landed on the runway.

The robbery went like clockwork. A Polish driver Kautsky is used as a diversion as he drives a truck similar to the one carrying the stolen bullion.

Later, one of the crook's Dobson (Edwin Richfield) gets a facial injury as the gold is being melted.

The others fall out as they want to get medical help for him.

Gideon has little to go on but Bailey is the main suspect and he has an ironclad alibi.

It is notable that two incidents of homophobia led to the gang being caught.

Kautsky's dislike of his son's outrageous behaviour. Dobson's immediate hatred of a gang member who cooperated with Bailey.

Gideon has his work cut out for him, when a gang led by charismatic criminal, Bailey, manages to steal £1,000,000 worth of gold bullion from a plane that landed from Russia.

The main success of this episode comes from the wonderful array and variety of characters, we have hardened thugs, a suave crook, a villainous thug who happens to be gay, and a pretty angry Polish layabout.

It's a good story, it is far more gritty than anything before, it's well paced and offers something very different. I am thoroughly enjoying the variety of the show, this is as different to the murderous landlady or husband and wife thieves as you could possibly get. It's a plot that could easily have say in The Sweeney.

Molten gold, that really would have hurt, it makes you squirm a little.

Very nicely acted, I appreciated George Baker's performance very much, he did a great line in villains in 60's shows.

Sid's haircut, that really was quite something, I couldn't determine if it was an ill fitting wig or not.

Expect some homophobia and xenophobia in this episode, it's definitely a lot more gritty than previous episodes.

7/10.