S4.E1

Messenger of the Gods

Episode aired Sep 7, 1978
TV-PG
51m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

A hung-over Regan pulls local Lothario Lukey Sparrow for his part in the theft of thirty thousand pounds worth of mercury. The boy has an alibi - he was in bed with a married woman, but want... Read allA hung-over Regan pulls local Lothario Lukey Sparrow for his part in the theft of thirty thousand pounds worth of mercury. The boy has an alibi - he was in bed with a married woman, but wants it kept quiet, as he is getting wed next day, to Linda, daughter of the fearsome Lily Ri... Read allA hung-over Regan pulls local Lothario Lukey Sparrow for his part in the theft of thirty thousand pounds worth of mercury. The boy has an alibi - he was in bed with a married woman, but wants it kept quiet, as he is getting wed next day, to Linda, daughter of the fearsome Lily Rix. Regan proves Lukey's part in the crime but needs to reach him before some very dangerou... Read all

Director
- Terry Green
Writers
- Trevor Preston
- Ian Kennedy Martin
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.2/10

153

YOUR RATING

Director
- Terry Green
Writers
- Trevor Preston
- Ian Kennedy Martin
Stars

8User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
The look of shock and surprise on John Thaw's face when he is slapped by Diana Dors is genuine, as he was not expecting to be hit so hard.

Goofs
When Linda Rix tries to escape from her bedroom and gets stuck on the window-ledge, Carter shins up a drainpipe to rescue her: we see them from the outside and then from inside through her bedroom window. But after a 5-second cutaway shot, we see Linda on her own clutching the drainpipe - there is no sign of Carter.

Quotes
[to Charlie Pearce, a local villain]
Det. Insp. Jack Regan: [menacingly] You don't know what it's like in the nick do you? You can't breathe for the stink of sweaty bodies, stale food and slop-outs. It's horrible, Charlie. And then there's the noise: doors slamming, keys rattling, yard boots on the cat-walk, the tannoy blaring out all day, every day, Charlie. And when they bang you up for the night, there's some hairy great con wanting you to be "nice" to him. You'll love that, Charlie. And when you come out you've got form. No-one wants to know you, Charlie. You can't get a job. No one will give you a room. You're a social leper. Villains use you. Coppers put you in the frame. You're usually back inside within a 12-month.

Soundtracks
Montego Bay
Written by Brian Bennett
From the album "Good Times"
Courtesy of Bruxton Music

User reviews8

Review

Featured review

10/10

The best episode of the show

A large quantity of mercury has been stolen and one of Carter's informants puts Lukey Sparrow, a small-time crook, in the frame. Regan and Carter haul him in but don't make any headway: his alibis check out. In addition, Lukey is about to get married and his being hauled in means an encounter with his fearsome mother-in-law-to-be, Mrs Rix.

Probably the best episode of the show. This one has it all: an investigation based on a tip-off, the procedural aspect, the race against time as the cops and the head villain are out to find someone, some great action scenes, some very colourful characters and some great humour.

The perfect Sweeney episode.