Abuse of Power (28 Nov. 2002)

Gary Patterson walks into his local police station and confesses to the recent murder of a young woman. Gary is in his early 20's, but is developmentally disabled and has the mind of a ... See full summary »

Director:

David Kew

Stars:

Martin Shaw, Jenny Seagrove, Michelle Abrahams

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Martin Shaw	...	Judge John Deed
Jenny Seagrove	...	Jo Mills
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michelle Abrahams	...	Amber Hollick
Kolade Agboke	...	Mich Eastwick
Roger Alborough	...	Det. Supt. Craddock
James Barron	...	Mr. Johnson
T.R. Bowen	...	Sir Michael Nivan (as Trevor Bowen)
Christopher Cazenove	...	Row Colemore
Simon Chandler	...	Sir Ian Rochester
Louisa Clein	...	Charlie Deed
Sarah Crook	...	DS Millbrook
Ray Donn
Keith Drinkel	...	Jimmy Darvall
Michael Eaves	...	Brian Harrison
Steven Elliot	...	Sergeant Bridges (as Steven Elliott)

Storyline

Gary Patterson walks into his local police station and confesses to the recent murder of a young woman. Gary is in his early 20's, but is developmentally disabled and has the mind of a thirteen year-old. He knew the girl quite well and was attracted to her, but his shyness and disability made him feel inadequate. Judge Deed feels the prosecution has a week case and fumes when he learns that they have withheld evidence from the defense. On another front, Deed decides to investigate rumours that a fellow judge may be corrupt. He enlists his daughter Charlie to undertake some research but he is breaching etiquette by engaging in this type activity and is inviting the wrath of the Lord Chancellor's Department and his fellow judges.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Release Date:

28 November 2002 (UK)

Company Credits

User Reviews

Worth the time

I have two problems with the series. I just don't like the judge's daughter: just too spoiled and indulged to suit me. And Deed, who has a strong moral rudder when dealing with the law, has no compass when dealing with women: he thinks only with his member. I get this is the inherent character flaw that is supposed to make Deed interesting; but it is mostly a contrivance. However, the series has some great individual episodes and this is one of them. Will a mentally defective young adult be convicted of murder or will the actual murderer will out. (He sort of gets willed out). Will a group of clearly corrupt judges and their police accomplices be caught out: that one is more ambiguous. This is a watchable episode and one of the best. If you want to try Deed out, then this episode would be a good introduction. The series is such that while a chronological viewing will put some characters in context, you can watch an individual episode as complete in itself.