This episode was watched by 12.5 million people when it premiered in Briton on January 1st, 1990. This is the thirteenth episode of Taggart, a series which continued to grow in popularity and quality.
In the opening scene a dredger is working on the River Clyde when the worker discovers a body in one of the buckets. It is the eighth body he has seen this year. In the first few minutes the scene cuts backward and forward to a group of rock climbers scaling a cliff somewhere in Scotland.
In the lab Dr Stephen Andrews, the forensic investigator, tells the detectives the young woman died of terrible injuries. The team conclude an ice pick was used, identical to one used in rock climbing. The knot used to tie up the body and the rope are also used by rock climbers.
Special mention should also be made of Robert Robertson who played Dr Stephen Andrews. This veteran actor dedicated himself almost exclusively to the show and was rewarded with a warm and appreciative following.
This episode introduces John Michie who plays the murder suspect, Robby Meiklejohn. Rumour has it that he impressed Robert Love, the producer so much that he was determined to get him another part in the show. Eight years later he reappears as DI Robbie Ross.
This episode is as good as any of the Taggarts that came before or that followed.