Faces

The kind of tough, gritty episode that helped make The Sweeney both a ratings and critical success, whereby a radical terrorist cell led by 'The German' is using British mercenaries to stage blags in order to raise funds for the cause. This storyline was very topical in 1975, with Bader Meinhoff and the Red Brigade causing havoc across Europe, and as with our fictional gang, it seemed only the ringleaders were true believers while the rest were in it for the money.

Colin Welland undoubtedly steals the show, and the scene with him brandishing a knife in a junk shop is a highlight of the episode; he also gets the best line after an ex IRA man tells him that they probably fought each other in Belfast. Another good character is the pompous MI5 man who treats Carter with amusing condescension, and then memorably riles Jack Regan into calling him an expletive. The showdown takes place at a deserted refinery beside a railway line (eagle-eyed train buffs might spot the Western) and marks the final appearance of Jimmy Thorpe - from now on the show would focus almost entirely on Regan & Carter rather than the squad as a whole.

A cracking good Sweeney episode, which along with other belters like 'Poppy' and 'Stay Lucky' made the second series arguably the best.