TV episode review
UK airdate 25 May 2009 (BBC One)

Investigating a body in the river unleashes Gene Hunt’s less civilised side…

This is the third episode in the current series to be scripted by a non-creator, and it’s the best of the three by far. It helps that primarily it’s a cop show story with a few added time travel elements, rather than trying uneasily to combine the two.

Philip Glenister’s Gene Hunt is at his most lethal this week, after a piece of scum crosses the line when he gets his henchmen to target Alex at home, and the scene in the wrecking yard could as easily have come from an episode of The Sweeney. Equally Ray and Chris are becoming an odd homage to Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins in The Professionals – their double act continues to be one of this season’s strengths.

Keeley Hawes attracted a lot of flak for her performance during the first year, and last week aside, has been considerably stronger this year. It’s now much easier to believe in her as a serious copper.

The Chris/Shaz wedding plotline bubbles away underneath, with Montserrat Lombard given some nice one-liners, directed both to and at Chris, and Marshall Lancaster showing just the right amount of honest gormlessness.

A return to form, with some great accompanying music. Paul Simpson

VERDICT: 7/10