The Sweeney: Thin Ice (ITV 16 Jan 1976, with Alfred Marks)

In Thin Ice Regan top villain Bishop has “done a runner” to France after cop Pringle’s investigations have got too close. Regan is furious, he thinks Pringle, has handled the case all wrong. Pringle, who is Regan’s superior, tells Regan to drop his own investigations into Bishop. Of course there is no chance of that.

Regan is convinced that the answer to catching Bishop lies with his dog Archimedes. Bishop is obsessed with the dog and has had to leave him behind. Regan is right of course, Bishop’s men are planning to secretly get the dog to him. Unfortunately Moose, the man tasked with actually taking Archimedes to Bishop, takes the wrong dog to him…

Another classic episode, with a definite emphasis on comedy, full of clever dialogue from Troy Kennedy Martin and with lots of well known faces including Alfred Marks as the villainous Bishop, Margaret Nolan as his “girl” Betty, Peter Jeffrey as Pringle and Brian Glover as the unfortunate Moose.

There’s also a very groovy, organ led piece of instrumental music that plays at various points throughout the episode.

classic quote
Maynon: “How many men will you need to find the dog?”
Regan: “Just me and Carter should suffice.”
Maynon: “Over 50 square miles of forest?”
Regan: “We were both in the boy scouts at one time.”

Another fabulous performance from Brian Glover as Moose, one of Bishop’s men. His delivery of the wrong dog does not go down well.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Thursday 16 January 1975 at 9.00pm

Writer: Troy Kennedy Martin / Director: Tom Clegg

Series: The Sweeney Season 1 Episode 3

cast
John Thaw as Regan
Dennis Waterman as Carter
Garfield Morgan as Haskins
Morris Perry as Maynon
Alfred Marks as Bishop
Peter Jeffrey as Chief Superintendent Pringle
Brian Glover as Moose
Margaret Nolan as Betty
Bill Dean as Charlie Norton
Brian White as Stanley
John Flanagan as Mathews
Maurice O’Connell as Morgan
Martin Read as Thorpe
Ivan Beavis as Sergeant
Bridget Brice as Secretary
Robert Gillespie as Steward
Tony Aitken as Shipping Clerk