Ed leads a masterclass in karate, but his fight turns nasty when it emerges that his opponent is under the care of Doctor Peter Hunter, head of sports medicine, who has been administering a performance-enhancing drug, tri-meserone. Why is Professor Easterhouse so keen for success?
This is my standout episode from the first series, and it's the one that has stayed in my memory some thirty years on. Sure, it leans on future tech and is a tad sci-fi, but there's something almost chillingly realistic about it - a scenario that feels tangible.
A time when fairness in sports actually mattered; those were the days. The idea of people gaining an unfair advantage was rightly seen as wrong.
Here, the Gizmos team operates as a truly cohesive unit. It's so good you barely notice the beeping devices or the master villain casting. And yes, every show needs a villain called Hex.
Everything falls into place with superb timing - the moment when Ros and Beckett make the big discovery is genuinely chilling. For once, Ros becomes the damsel in distress instead of Ed, and it works perfectly - she's no soft touch.
I just love seeing Ros dash around like Sarah Jane Smith, armed with what feels like a sonic lipstick. The chase sequence with a crazed Kane is absolutely brilliant. Meanwhile, Ed is guilty of some classic mansplaining, and the look on Ros's face is priceless.
Ian McNeice pops up as a fitness coach... no comment.
This episode definitely gets your pulse racing and keeps you on edge. One of the show's finest.
9/10.
