The Sweeney: Thin Ice – A Dog's Dinner of an Episode?

The Sweeney Unofficial Podcast – Episode 3: Thin Ice

Has The Sweeney gone soft? Just three episodes into the legendary 1970s police drama, Jack Regan finds himself tangled up in a bizarre case involving a ruthless gangster, a pampered pooch and a decidedly dodgy dog-napping plot.

Shane, Lee and John return to review Thin Ice, written by Troy Kennedy Martin, directed by Tom Clegg and first broadcast on 16 January 1975.

Alfred Marks stars as gangland boss Gerald Bishop, who has escaped to the French Riviera, leaving Regan furious and Superintendent Pringle of the Fraud Squad firmly in his sights. But Bishop has one weakness: his beloved dog, Archimedes. And Jack Regan knows exactly how to exploit it.

It's an unusually light-hearted outing for The Sweeney, featuring a terrific supporting cast including Brian Glover as the hapless Moose, Margaret Nolan, Peter Jeffrey, Brian Wilde and Bill Dean.

In this episode, the lads discuss:

• Why was Thin Ice reportedly chosen to introduce The Sweeney to the press?
• Is Alfred Marks a convincing gangland villain, or more Carry On than Flying Squad?
• Brian Glover's scene-stealing performance as Moose.
• The ingenious filming locations that transformed Berkshire into the French Riviera, plus a surprising appearance by HMS Belfast.
• Regan's continuing battle with the top brass and the increasingly bureaucratic world of policing.
• The fabulous 1970s motors, fashions, incidental music and forgotten London landmarks.
• Does the episode's sudden turn towards violence rescue an otherwise lightweight story?
• The Villains Draft: The lads continue building their ultimate criminal firms from The Sweeney's rogues' gallery. Does anyone from Bishop's outfit deserve a place in the squad?

And then comes the verdict...

The lads are sharply divided on Thin Ice, with one particularly savage rating that might raise a few eyebrows. Is this an underrated comedy gem or one of The Sweeney's weakest outings?

We want to hear your verdict!

Join the conversation in our Facebook group, share your memories of The Sweeney and tell us how you'd rate Thin Ice out of five. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4621267468108808

Join the Flying Squad:

Website and Facebook community: https://www.thesweeneypodcast.com

Explore the real filming locations of The Sweeney with John: https://www.sweeneytours.com

The Sweeney Unofficial Podcast is an independent celebration of one of British television's greatest crime dramas.