This is another tightly written episode, but not so grim as usual due to the bubbly presence of Anne Lawson. (It's a pity she didn't do more TV shows.) The plot is pretty scary, involving an innocent accountant who is unaccountably the target of a murderer. What could have been really far-fetched is made plausible by careful writing. Once again Gideon seems to work night and day, and have a department with a wonderfully efficient phone service as he must intervene in the nick of time at the end. Another good episode, but Anne steals every scene she's in!
4 Reviews
Accidents or murder?
Sleepin_Dragon9 March 2023
A higher than average number of people have suffered fatal accidents, by falling under trains. James Lane is almost pushed under a train, his friend Ellen Winters believes it was a deliberate act, bud nobody takes her claims seriously.
A real change up in pace and tone after last week's, very much a more serious, straight up thriller. Brian Pringle is excellent as John Stewart, he cuts a very menacing figure. Pringle is quite chilling, which is impressive considering he doesn't utter a single word.
I like the vagueness of the story, we have no idea why Stewart is doing it, or what triggered him, he's just a psychopath.
Lots of very good elements here, the mystery and suspense are great, but it's the final showdown that's the highlight.
Another very good episode, 8/10.
A real change up in pace and tone after last week's, very much a more serious, straight up thriller. Brian Pringle is excellent as John Stewart, he cuts a very menacing figure. Pringle is quite chilling, which is impressive considering he doesn't utter a single word.
I like the vagueness of the story, we have no idea why Stewart is doing it, or what triggered him, he's just a psychopath.
Lots of very good elements here, the mystery and suspense are great, but it's the final showdown that's the highlight.
Another very good episode, 8/10.
Excellent fayre.
joegarbled-7948219 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
An excellent episode of "Gideon's Way" where the three guest stars carry the episode. Anne Lawson was perfectly cast as the attractive miss who works in the personnel dept who realises that the quiet, reserved clerk, Mr 'Petticoat' Lane has the hots for her. It's only when the creepy multiple killer at large (excellent job here by Bryan Pringle who just oozes unhinged and creepy) tries to shove Lane under a tube train that the couple actually speak to each. The, smart, practical Miss Winters insists Lane was pushed, he insists he slipped. Unimpressed, Miss Winters reports the attempted murder directly to Gideon, basically barging her way into the Gideon home.
Gideon has a big theft case on his hands, it's only when Pringle attempts to shove Lane under a double decker bus and DCI Keen uncovers three other suspicious deaths linked to the company that Lane and Winters work for, that the police know that Lane is seriously in danger.
Bryan Pringle was mean enough as Norman Pitkin's nemesis from Consolidated Dairies, smashing all of Grimsdale's empties, but here, he's about as inviting as a shark's hungry eyes! His silence adds to the menace. Happy to shove his victims under trains and double decker buses, caving his next victims' heads in with a 3lb lump hammer seems tame by comparison. The scene with the shop window mannequin morphing into Anne Lawson has suitable shades of Norman Bates/"Psycho".
The acting was great throughout (inc a short but very effective spot by Esmond Knight as a totally self-absorbed and self-pitying father who has lost everything but for an idealised view of his late daughter) , but lovely Anne Lawson topped them all, even the rock solid John Gregson, when in the scene, Lane tells Miss Winters that he felt like a total prat that couldn't speak up for himself after she'd called the police into the matter. She tells him that he CAN'T speak up for himself and calls him "Petticoat Lane", to which he says that if she made another crack like that, he'd put her across his knee....the expression on her face was pure gold.
Tension is held, right up to the last moment. As per another comment I made regarding "Gideon's Way", the series only has the weakness that a Commander would have to delegate far more than Gideon does, though in this episode, Miss Winters "chose him" has her "preferred police man" and DCI Keen suitably mentions that Gideon's feet are still on the beat....as Gideon says to the chemist turned tycoon, he chose to become a copper "How did I end up behind a desk!?" 10/10.
Gideon has a big theft case on his hands, it's only when Pringle attempts to shove Lane under a double decker bus and DCI Keen uncovers three other suspicious deaths linked to the company that Lane and Winters work for, that the police know that Lane is seriously in danger.
Bryan Pringle was mean enough as Norman Pitkin's nemesis from Consolidated Dairies, smashing all of Grimsdale's empties, but here, he's about as inviting as a shark's hungry eyes! His silence adds to the menace. Happy to shove his victims under trains and double decker buses, caving his next victims' heads in with a 3lb lump hammer seems tame by comparison. The scene with the shop window mannequin morphing into Anne Lawson has suitable shades of Norman Bates/"Psycho".
The acting was great throughout (inc a short but very effective spot by Esmond Knight as a totally self-absorbed and self-pitying father who has lost everything but for an idealised view of his late daughter) , but lovely Anne Lawson topped them all, even the rock solid John Gregson, when in the scene, Lane tells Miss Winters that he felt like a total prat that couldn't speak up for himself after she'd called the police into the matter. She tells him that he CAN'T speak up for himself and calls him "Petticoat Lane", to which he says that if she made another crack like that, he'd put her across his knee....the expression on her face was pure gold.
Tension is held, right up to the last moment. As per another comment I made regarding "Gideon's Way", the series only has the weakness that a Commander would have to delegate far more than Gideon does, though in this episode, Miss Winters "chose him" has her "preferred police man" and DCI Keen suitably mentions that Gideon's feet are still on the beat....as Gideon says to the chemist turned tycoon, he chose to become a copper "How did I end up behind a desk!?" 10/10.
Subway to Revenge
Prismark1024 July 2021
James Lane is a meek man working in the accounts department of a chemical company.
He is besotted with Ellen Winters who works in personnel but cannot summon up the courage to talk with her.
However Ellen saves his life as a stranger attempt to push James into the path of a subway train. Ellen thinks it was attempted murder. James thinks he just slipped and does not want to make a fuss.
Gideon investigates after Ellen barges into his home. No idea where she got his address from.
It seems someone is taking revenge after the death of a woman caught embezzling her employer, the chemical company.
The episode is made lively by Anne Lawson who plays Ellen. She even manages to thaw the uptight James. Lawson was married to Alexander Davion who plays DCI Keen.
It turns out to be an episode of lost people finding romance. The murderer (Bryan Pringle) was a lonely man who found romance but became unhinged when happiness was snatched away from him.
He is besotted with Ellen Winters who works in personnel but cannot summon up the courage to talk with her.
However Ellen saves his life as a stranger attempt to push James into the path of a subway train. Ellen thinks it was attempted murder. James thinks he just slipped and does not want to make a fuss.
Gideon investigates after Ellen barges into his home. No idea where she got his address from.
It seems someone is taking revenge after the death of a woman caught embezzling her employer, the chemical company.
The episode is made lively by Anne Lawson who plays Ellen. She even manages to thaw the uptight James. Lawson was married to Alexander Davion who plays DCI Keen.
It turns out to be an episode of lost people finding romance. The murderer (Bryan Pringle) was a lonely man who found romance but became unhinged when happiness was snatched away from him.
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