The first episode of the now hour long third series was underwhelming. The second episode opens with a shot of Alcatraz prison.
Then Big Jim Riva is released from prison after serving fifteen years for running a gambling syndicate. He is played by no other than Edward G Robinson.
It is like watching an episode of Law and Order and then learning that the guest star is going to be Clint Eastwood or Warren Beatty.
Riva has been out of action for 15 years. He now wants to go straight and spend time with his grandchild. Something he reassures Captain Holbrook about.
As Riva spends the evening with his family, a man guns Riva and his wife down. Both are injured but survive.
Now Riva wants revenge and goes gunning for a long time rival. Captain Holbrook urges him to leave things to the police.
Riva's former associates tell him that things have changed. Longtime friends and foes have got older, some getting infirmed.
A classy episode aided by the star power of Robinson. A nice character piece about an ageing gangster.