The Placer

Maybe not my favorite yet, I will wait to see the whole series to say. But this one, of course, is a pretty good episode, bringing some new elements in the series. Typically British in the treatment, script, dialogues. There is not much more to say, concrning this however predictable plot. I don't appreciate that much the humor touches, not in THE SWEENEY series. That's not what i expect. And, for once in the series, an exciting action packed climax.

'The Placer' has always been one of my favourite episodes, and makes for a memorable entry in season 1.

Regan goes undercover as a lorry driver, hoping to attract the attentions of a racketeering gang who arrange to hijack lorries - after doing deals with drivers to 'lose' their loads.

We see him in the pre-credits sequence sat in his cab with a tarty hitchhiker (brilliantly played by Susan Tracy), as she sizes him up as a potential next 'victim' for the gang - just what Regan wants.

He is soon hired, but comes a cropper at the hands of the gang's brutal leader (great performance here too from John Forgeham). But who is really running the racket - and can Regan find out in time before an increasingly nervous Haskins takes him off the case?

This is just an excellent episode from start to finish, packed with intrigue, suspense, violence and a dash of humour along the way.

We have Regan undercover on the 'inside', whilst Carter does his best on the 'outside' - putting himself in danger too in one very tense scene.

Regan's 'Boston Strangler' quip about Haskins is a classic line that shows in no uncertain terms just exactly what he thinks of him!

The first season is on the whole very strong, and this excellent episode is certainly among the very best.

The episode sees Regan sporting a moustache accompanied by a flirty hitch hiker he has picked up. I thought he was undercover as a typical 1970s porn movie actor.

Instead Regan is working undercover as a long distance lorry driver, trying to get a lead on a gang who are hijacking lorries and stealing the cargo.

The lady hitchhiker, Fran is the first real lead after working weeks undercover. Carter who has been following the lorry sees the hitchhiker driving off in a fast car after Regan drops her off.

Fran is involved with the hijackers and before long Regan agrees to be a victim in an hijacking, he receives a severe beating to make it look realistic.

This is an episode where we see Haskins backing Regan's hunch. So far he has been rather aloof, the character has not even appeared in every episode.

This is another muscular episode. Regan finds himself in danger as some members of the gang suspect he is a copper. Fran is the bit on the side of the gang leader but she is also involved with one of the henchman who has taken a dislike to Regan.

Seems this is a fan favorite, but it's not all that great, really. It's Sweeney doing Baretta. And, yes, Sweeney was first but Toma, which turned into Baretta, was a year before Sweeney so John Thaw is being Toma and in disguise as an ex-con trucker, takes us out of the show: one that didn't really need this kind of busman's holiday from the real gritty cops on the street stuff. The better stuff. Not that it's not a good episode. It's good. Above average. There are some brawny tough moments, and the cute ingenue is a cute ingenue. Of course she falls for Regan like he's Robert Redford; something that happens on this show to a hilarious level. But what's most disappointing is the fact it could have been more loose and free-form. They wanted to separate from the norm but it all stayed too close together for this to really stand out as different, even though it was.

Jack Regan is working undercover, posing as truck driver in order to uncover a cargo-hijacking gang. He appears to be onto something when a young woman befriends him. He is soon approached to allow his cargo to be stolen. This could be his opportunity to infiltrate the gang.

One of the best episodes of The Sweeney. Regan working undercover adds a wonderful layer of intrigue and ensures that we see the best of Regan, thinking quick on his feet. Of course, Carter and the rest of the team aren't far behind.

We even get to see DCI Haskins in a positive light as he follows the leader of the gang around while playing golf. It provides for some amusing moments. In addition, for once Haskins is on Regan's side - the dynamic of their relationship may well have changed.

Thoroughly intriguing and entertaining.