User Reviews

Regan pulls a Columbo by badgering his prey/sticking to him everywhere (although he's not polite) including where the step kid goes to school, and it's Del Henney as a charming barroom-crooner that he's after, thinking he pulled off a heist while he was singing at the bar, with Regan as witness (what Monk would do years later... a Howdonnit) and what works for the suspense is that Regan seems totally off the garden path, making this a good episode, not great.

'Jigsaw' is an episode which sees Jack Regan at his most persistent and self-sufficient. Disregarding advice and/or instructions, and even keeping colleagues out of the loop to some extent.

Regan's handling of the Eddie Boyse case is characteristic of his tendency to keep plugging away, but also of his ability to approach a job on more than one level. His grasp of psychology and human nature allows him to apply pressure. A case of knowing which buttons to press with people, as it were. This is all allied to ordinary detective work. Even if the material evidence does not fully emerge, other avenues may produce a result.

The plot is interesting, and actually not that outlandish, in terms of the carrying out of the robbery itself. The one false note for me was struck by the involvement of Boyse's MP ; I don't think that those scenes really worked.

Thaw and Waterman are on fine form as always, and there are solid performances from Del Henney and Sheila Gish.

This is also an illuminating episode from the point of view of the relationship between Regan and Carter. The sergeant is cast in a very much subordinate role here. He harbours, and occasionally expresses, doubts about some of Regan's methods, but ultimately respects his superior's nous, determination and capacity to produce results.

Although it has one or two flaws, this is a good episode.

Eddie Boyse (Del Henney) is fresh out of jail and is accused of a robbery where the nightwatchman got coshed.

Trouble is at the time the robbery happened, Boyse was singing in the pub. Regan was watching him.

Regan is sure Boyse had something to do with it. Regan also suspects Fat Eric the hairdresser but he also has a cast iron alibi, he was with the local vicar.

When Regan harrasses Boyse, the local MP turns up giving both Regan and Haskins grieve.

We are introduced to Carter's wife in this episode played by Stephanie Turner. She is a teacher who is no fan of Regan's methods.

I find it hard to believe that the MP will suddenly turn up at the police station when a career criminal makes a complaint of police harassment.

The resolution I thought was a bit weak.