This is a great, thoughtful episode and well executed apart from the scenes as the tension reaches its climax. We all know and admire Frost for his bravery, which he always humbly disavows. This time it costs the life of his sergeant, when Frost very obviously should have called for armed back-up. After the older abused children have told Frost that the homicidal grandfather would kill them all if he knew they were escaping, Frost tells his sergeant as he goes into the house, "He's not dangerous, just very sick." Frost already knows this retired military captain has killed his own son in cold blood -- by what he says upstairs to the acquiescent grandmother. Is it the nature of Frost to rashly risk himself out of ignorance?
Also, the revelation of the bad news back at the policemen's ball is horribly staged -- everyone reacting in exaggerated horror as soon as they see the duty sergeant come to tell them the bad news, as if the mere sight of him explained what had happened. But David Jason does act a very affecting scene in mourning over Matt Bardock's coffin.
Also, the revelation of the bad news back at the policemen's ball is horribly staged -- everyone reacting in exaggerated horror as soon as they see the duty sergeant come to tell them the bad news, as if the mere sight of him explained what had happened. But David Jason does act a very affecting scene in mourning over Matt Bardock's coffin.