London. Rival gangs run protection rackets. Hapless elderly shopkeepers pay up. English gangsters keep poker faces and gaze into space or else fix their victims with the cobra-like stare of the Foreign Legion. But the gang leaders are excellent actors Ray Brooks (Cathy Come Home) and Ron Lacey (The Boys). They convince, as does the actress who plays the real villain: Lollo Romano. Double-crosses all the way along the line.
3 Reviews
One of the show's best episodes.
Sleepin_Dragon3 April 2023
Gideon investigates a complex case, two protection/racketeering gangs are involved in a turf war feud, only the gang leader of one side spots a means of escape, an escape to a life of wealth.
I've reached the half way point, and I think think this is one of the best episodes I've seen so far, I absolutely loved the atmosphere, the tone and the characters, talk about a snapshot of The 1960's.
This series really does change things up, there have been some lighter, almost frivolous episodes, this one is completely on the other end of the scale, Gideon is up against some hard nosed villains, the two sides represent a real threat, there is some malice here.
Such is the strength of the story, that we don't get any time to see Gideon in his family home, this one is solely focused on the main story.
A very strong cast for this one, Ray Brooks, Ronald Lacey, Jane Merrow, all excellent, look out for for John Louis Mansi, who played Weasel, best known for playing Von Smallhousen in Allo Allo.
8/10.
I've reached the half way point, and I think think this is one of the best episodes I've seen so far, I absolutely loved the atmosphere, the tone and the characters, talk about a snapshot of The 1960's.
This series really does change things up, there have been some lighter, almost frivolous episodes, this one is completely on the other end of the scale, Gideon is up against some hard nosed villains, the two sides represent a real threat, there is some malice here.
Such is the strength of the story, that we don't get any time to see Gideon in his family home, this one is solely focused on the main story.
A very strong cast for this one, Ray Brooks, Ronald Lacey, Jane Merrow, all excellent, look out for for John Louis Mansi, who played Weasel, best known for playing Von Smallhousen in Allo Allo.
8/10.
Gang War
Prismark1017 August 2021
Gideon gets involved in an impending gang warfare. An Italian gang led by Frank Romano sees his protection racket being challenged by upstart Jerry Blake who is moving on to his patch.
However Romano's wife Lollo is ambitious. She tells Frank that after expenses he is only making that of a garage mechanic from his protection business.
She thinks big and a former boyfriend is a bank clerk in charge of destroying old money. She just needs to seduce him and get the information they need.
After one of Romano's gang member is stabbed to death by Blake. Frank calls a truce and tells Blake that they should team up for one big deal.
However Romano also sees this a way to settle some old scores.
Meanwhile Gideon realises that they are being played.
This is a nice solid story. Made in 1965 this was an era when protection rackets were operated by the likes of the Kray twins and would had been news.
I did think that the police worked out the bank heist job rather too quickly and conveniently.
The episode benefits from familiar faces such as Ray Brooks and Ronald Lacey. It is also rather gritty and violent.
However Romano's wife Lollo is ambitious. She tells Frank that after expenses he is only making that of a garage mechanic from his protection business.
She thinks big and a former boyfriend is a bank clerk in charge of destroying old money. She just needs to seduce him and get the information they need.
After one of Romano's gang member is stabbed to death by Blake. Frank calls a truce and tells Blake that they should team up for one big deal.
However Romano also sees this a way to settle some old scores.
Meanwhile Gideon realises that they are being played.
This is a nice solid story. Made in 1965 this was an era when protection rackets were operated by the likes of the Kray twins and would had been news.
I did think that the police worked out the bank heist job rather too quickly and conveniently.
The episode benefits from familiar faces such as Ray Brooks and Ronald Lacey. It is also rather gritty and violent.
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