This is one of the saved NHP episodes, and viewed in 2020, I am pleased that it was. This touched on issues around offenders nearing release and trying to go straight, on this occassion by way of a managed halfway house. Also, how far should, can, and will the police be allowed to lean on a rehabilitated transgressor to solve a nasty crime, particularly one as vulnerable as the character 'Sweeney' here?
By season 7 the main NHP characters were fully established, even so this episode benefitted from a well written and thoughtful script from Barry Lucas (apparently his first and only such effort) that took no sides, and pulled no punches. Having said that, Lockhart here is at his least attractive, Russell his Sgt demonstrates his disapproval of the methods chosen without showing outright dissent. At the conclusion, the script leaves it to the viewer to judge whether justice was properly served. All the better for it too.
Would also highlight an excellent performance from Nigel Green, who always looks like someone to avoid in a dark alley, even when he is a good guy. Here, it would be wise to be in a different postcode from him. Look out too for Peter Dyneley, speaking in an accent you would never believe after hearing 'Jeff Tracy'.