The episodes Gold (1997) and Fool's Gold: Part 2 (1997) (episodes 140 and 141), which aired during the programme's fourth season, were two of the most popular Blue Heelers episodes. Each drew 2.5 million viewers, considered a huge achievement in 1997.
The title of this episode is a close match to "The long and winding road" in the 1970 album "Let It be" by The Beatles.