Somewhat slow-moving but overall well done and well-thought-out episode in which Regan, with his constraints mostly removed by an ambitious superior, plays dirty tricks on a acquitted villain to get him or his team to crack.
5 Reviews
The Big Heat Sweeney
TheFearmakers26 June 2021
From HIGH SIERRA before to CARLITO'S WAY after, the device of a famously-guilty convict freed on a technicality is nothing new... and the first half of QUEEN'S PAWN has the unapologetic gall of Tony Selby's Johnny Lyon getting Inspector Regan's goat... a whole mountain of them actually...
Surrounded by floozy moll Lynn Dearth, pseudo family man Tony Caunter and eventual weak link married couple Christopher Ellison and Judy Monahan, the episode has John Thaw's Regan and Dennis Waterman as Sgt. Carter putting heat on the Lyon's den of thieves; but the most intimidating is a different kind of crook...
As Lyon's high-price lawyer, classy yet formidable British actor Julian Glover (future villain in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE) wields the hardest edge here, having to deal with his client, who's far too nervous far too soon for his initial vanity to remain a worthwhile antagonist against Regan...
Featuring some of the creepiest masks in history during an attempted kidnapping, QUEEN'S PAWN is a good episode that had the potential for greatness: If only those initial too-cool heavies had kept their cool for longer.
Surrounded by floozy moll Lynn Dearth, pseudo family man Tony Caunter and eventual weak link married couple Christopher Ellison and Judy Monahan, the episode has John Thaw's Regan and Dennis Waterman as Sgt. Carter putting heat on the Lyon's den of thieves; but the most intimidating is a different kind of crook...
As Lyon's high-price lawyer, classy yet formidable British actor Julian Glover (future villain in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE) wields the hardest edge here, having to deal with his client, who's far too nervous far too soon for his initial vanity to remain a worthwhile antagonist against Regan...
Featuring some of the creepiest masks in history during an attempted kidnapping, QUEEN'S PAWN is a good episode that had the potential for greatness: If only those initial too-cool heavies had kept their cool for longer.
Classic Sweeney story line
monckton22 February 2012
Did enjoy " Queens Pawn", Many have tried to copy this style of Drama few come close the raw strong story line makes this a classic. The comedy is so well written how it blends in to the sadness of what elements 1970 London was like. Though fiction I am old enough to remember the impact this series had on every day life and culture in the UK during the 1970. John Thaw always acts the part well but letting him become untouchable gives you the sense anything can happen and the people above him using him you get a real feel power and passion very hard to reproduce. So yes top marks for this one looking back thirty plus years ago this was fresh then and for people like me watching again still fresh now.
Queen's Pawn
Prismark1013 December 2019
The most important element of Queen's Pawn were the strokes the police used to bring down villains. No wonder old timers get misty eyed for the old days when they could not bend the law, just break them.
Tony Selby plays Johnny Lyon who has been found not guilty with his two henchmen for an armed robbery. The high profile case has left the police with egg on their faces. Lyon celebrates his freedom like he has just won an Oscar.
Regan has been given carte blanche by his superiors to bring Lyon in for something. Regan stages a kidnap on one of the henchmen to get them to turn informer.
It is only Carter who is unhappy with Regan's tactics, it it something that leads the other henchman in danger as Lyon thinks he might grass on him.
It is an episode with familiar faces ranging from Christopher Ellison, Tony Caunter and Julian Glover as a smarmy lawyer.
Tony Selby plays Johnny Lyon who has been found not guilty with his two henchmen for an armed robbery. The high profile case has left the police with egg on their faces. Lyon celebrates his freedom like he has just won an Oscar.
Regan has been given carte blanche by his superiors to bring Lyon in for something. Regan stages a kidnap on one of the henchmen to get them to turn informer.
It is only Carter who is unhappy with Regan's tactics, it it something that leads the other henchman in danger as Lyon thinks he might grass on him.
It is an episode with familiar faces ranging from Christopher Ellison, Tony Caunter and Julian Glover as a smarmy lawyer.
Sneaky
Leofwine_draca7 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Another inventive storyline with engaging writing. The story is about criminals released scot-free by the justice system and Regan's attempt to bring them to book utilising sneaky methods. Good toughness from all of the characters here and nice turns from reliables like Tony Selby and Julian Glover.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
