New Scotland Yard: Point Of Impact (ITV 22 April 1972)

In series opener Point Of Impact Detective Chief Superintendent John Kingdom and Detective Inspector Alan Ward have a difficult case on their hands involving one of their own. A student has been killed during a demonstration and it looks the prime suspect may well be mounted policeman Derek Tyrell.

Tyrell claims he didn’t kill anybody but back home he finds the pressure hard to deal with, especially when he begins to get threats.

It’s straight into the action in this first episode with no introduction to the characters they are just busy doing their job, although we do learn a bit about Kingdom’s background including the fact that he is a lover of Roses and is estranged from his wife. His brother-in-law is journalist Harry Carson who appears several times throughout the season using his relationship with Kingdom to get extra insight for his articles. The antagonism that is the dynamic of the relationship between Kingdom and Ward is also well to the fore with lots of little niggly comments aimed at each other. Despite that they do get results though!

There are some well known faces popping up too including Nicholas Young soon to go on to The Tomorrow People, a young Mel Martin and the always excellent Bryan Marshall as troubled copper Derek Tyrell.

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Saturday 22 April 1972 at 7.00pm

Writer: Don Houghton / Production Design: Roger Hall / Director: Tony Wharmby

New Scotland Yard Season 1 Episode 1

cast
John Woodvine as Det Chief Supt John Kingdom
John Carlisle as Det Insp Alan Ward
Shirley Cain as Mary Tyrell
Mel Martin as Fiona Calvert
Nicholas Young as Peter Calvert
Norman Jones as George Bowen
Brian Rawlinson as Sgt Grainger
Bryan Marshall as P.C. Derek Tyrell
Basil Henson as Major Lofthouse
Barry Warren as Harry Carson