This ITC, Baker/Berman production shares DNA with their other crime drama classics like "The Saint" and very often, you will spot guest stars who appeared in ITC series such as the aforementioned "The Saint" or "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)". The shows even sounded the same, with heavy sounding footsteps on carpeted floors and clunky sounding doors.
The acting, for the most part, was never a problem, but the series has a fairly serious plot hole: the idea that a Commander would still be working at street level with any kind of regularity, rather than being snowed under as an administrator/general, deploying his forces.
I take this from another series about the police in London: "The Sweeney". In that series, even Det Chief Inspector Frank Haskins was pretty much handcuffed to his desk unless it was a serious matter such as a siege. Their Commanders and token Commandeuse were snotty, snide, university graduate career people who had zero ability or usefullness for policing on the streets....strictly time serving pen pushers.
Brits born in the 50s/60s/70s might enjoy this series just for the lovely cars, which unlike today, didn't all look the same!! (of course, it's sad to think of how few of those classic motors survive today). For its day, there was a decent amount of location filming, something that helped bring life to the series.
As previously mentioned, there wasn't a great deal wrong with the acting, John Gregson was a very good choice as lead. I'm baffled as to why Daphne Anderson as his wife is listed as 3rd lead here, she was barely seen. Guests stars like Patrick Allen, Mike Pratt, Angela Douglas, Ann Lynn, David Bauer were well chosen, though George Sewell's Irish accent was a poor stereotype.
Overall, a solid 8/10 and proof of what British tv was capable of, ITC/Baker/Berman shows like "The Saint" & "Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)" got regular re-runs and for very good reason. "Gideon's Way" may have aged less well because of shows like "The Sweeney" and "The Professionals" made realistic violence & policing seem inevitable.
The acting, for the most part, was never a problem, but the series has a fairly serious plot hole: the idea that a Commander would still be working at street level with any kind of regularity, rather than being snowed under as an administrator/general, deploying his forces.
I take this from another series about the police in London: "The Sweeney". In that series, even Det Chief Inspector Frank Haskins was pretty much handcuffed to his desk unless it was a serious matter such as a siege. Their Commanders and token Commandeuse were snotty, snide, university graduate career people who had zero ability or usefullness for policing on the streets....strictly time serving pen pushers.
Brits born in the 50s/60s/70s might enjoy this series just for the lovely cars, which unlike today, didn't all look the same!! (of course, it's sad to think of how few of those classic motors survive today). For its day, there was a decent amount of location filming, something that helped bring life to the series.
As previously mentioned, there wasn't a great deal wrong with the acting, John Gregson was a very good choice as lead. I'm baffled as to why Daphne Anderson as his wife is listed as 3rd lead here, she was barely seen. Guests stars like Patrick Allen, Mike Pratt, Angela Douglas, Ann Lynn, David Bauer were well chosen, though George Sewell's Irish accent was a poor stereotype.
Overall, a solid 8/10 and proof of what British tv was capable of, ITC/Baker/Berman shows like "The Saint" & "Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)" got regular re-runs and for very good reason. "Gideon's Way" may have aged less well because of shows like "The Sweeney" and "The Professionals" made realistic violence & policing seem inevitable.