The Sweeney: Bait (ITV 19 Oct 1978, with George Sewell)

In Bait Regan and Carter are on the trail of Vic Tolman and his girl Lynn who have pulled off a series of robberies. Lynn has been posing undercover at a factory to gain inside knowledge and their latest robbery leaves the Squad without a clue.

Vic has insisted that the mentally challenged Lennie, who helped the pair on their last job, is now a permanent part of the team but Lynne thinks he is a liability.

Meanwhile the Squad do have one clue as they also have Lynn’s young daughter (who is being looked after by another woman) under surveillance. When her daughter then falls ill Lynne looks like she may bring all three of them down.

The episode is like a mix between Bonnie and Clyde and Of Mice and Men actually, with a strong performance from Edward Peel as Lennie (so much so that Lennie is named after the similar character in Steinbeck’s novel.

George Sewell, who was a regular on the last two seasons of earlier Thames Euston show Special Branch, is Vic Tolman and Barbara Ewing also turns in another of her strong performances, she almost kills Carter in one scene, threatening him with a foot long kitchen knife – George is forced to knock her out with one of his famous right hooks. Judy Buxton made a brief appearance as a toy shop assistant.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Thursday 19 October 1978 at 9.00pm

Writer: Trevor Preston / Director: Sid Roberson

Series: The Sweeney Season 4 Episode 7

cast
John Thaw as Jack Regan
Dennis Waterman as George Carter
George Sewell as Vic Tolman
Barbara Ewing as Joan
Di Trevis as Lynn
Edward Peel as Lennie
Arthur Cox as Roan
Eric Dodson as Mr Dodds
Alan Hunter as Stoddard
Steven Barnes as Dr Marland
Judy Buxton as Salesgirl
Frederick Bennett as Factory Gatekeeper
Alan Leith as Sgt Stern
Diana Rowan as Traffic Warden
Michael Brodie as Guard
Simone Cowdrey as Little Girl