Regan's flying squad falls under suspicion after they apprehend a gang of hijackers, but a bag with 35,000 pounds in it has somehow disappeared.Regan's flying squad falls under suspicion after they apprehend a gang of hijackers, but a bag with 35,000 pounds in it has somehow disappeared.Regan's flying squad falls under suspicion after they apprehend a gang of hijackers, but a bag with 35,000 pounds in it has somehow disappeared.
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- Haskins
- (credit only)
- Det. Chief Insp. Morrison
- (as Morgan Sheppard)
- Stan, Desk Sergeant
- (as Bernard Perry)
- DC Jimmy Thorpe
- (as Martin Read)
- Tony Wirrel
- (uncredited)
- Big Tom
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode was actually written by Troy Kennedy Martin but he insisted that his name be removed and replaced by a fictitious name Tony Marsh because he objected to changes that were made to his script by producer Ted Childs and associate producer Mary Morgan.
- GoofsEven though only one camera was filming the hijacking bust, two angles of the bag toss are shown.
- Quotes
[talking about Biggleswade who has stolen money to pay for his daughter's medical treatment]
Det. Insp. Jack Regan: He's just another bastard, but with some bottle.
Det. Sgt. George Carter: Yeah, I know. But I can't help taking my hat off to him.
Det. Insp. Jack Regan: If he'd have had a gun that day, he'd have taken your hat off - and your head with it!
This is one of those stories which finds Regan under a cloud and under pressure from the powers-that-be. Regan has to use his ingenuity and his instincts to extricate himself from the situation. Others may feel that he is simply acting like a good, diligent detective.
There is a certain wistfulness for me in watching some early episodes of The Sweeney. That period is the first of which I have any clear memories, and I can identify with what life was like back then. 'Jackpot', in its own way, evokes some of these feelings.
Regan is to the fore, navigating the corridors of police politics. It is noticeable how, despite the pressure he is under, he remains composed, calm and focused, perhaps a sign of his confidence that matters would eventually be resolved to his satisfaction.
Carter is less prominent, but Dennis Waterman's innate likeability and fluid talent ensure that his contributions are important to the episode's overall quality. The interrogation scenes are particularly noteworthy in this respect, with Ed Devereaux also excelling here.
It is nice to see some of the other members of the squad (Matthews, Thorpe) heavily involved, too.
The story-line is quite novel and refreshing, and gives the viewer some food for thought once the truth is known. The ending is also telling and eloquent, in a quiet way.
The imaginative camera angles, especially in the outdoor sequences, lead to some elegant and "artistic" moments. These are not always done for symbolism or metaphor, but they add to the charm and the interest.
Not a perfect episode, but a highly watchable and fluent production, which holds the attention.
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