The Ties That Bind

The story sees Kavanagh taking on a private prosecution against Ian Vincent who is believed to have beaten Graham Foster to death, and is a well written one. The scripting is also good, and John Thaw is excellent in the title role. Same with the production values, music and direction. So what is it that doesn't make The Ties That Bind a favourite. Well with the exception of Gary Powell as the victim's father and Lisa Harrow, nobody in particular stands out in the supporting cast. By all means the whole cast do a good job but it is nothing outstanding in the end. Overall, a solid episode if not an entirely exceptional one. 8/10 Bethany Cox

A private prosecution is seldomly successful as Kavanagh acknowledges in this episode. Still he takes a case pro bono.

Ian Vincent is the accused. A young man who beat up and tortured teenager Graham Foster for stealing his briefcase.

The main witness is Foster's girlfriend Hazel Dwyer who witnessed Foster being dragged away. However she is being intimidated.

Vincent's stepfather is a gangster who the police have been after for years. However Kavanagh discovers that the police might be protecting them.

There is an element of broken people in this story. Foster's dad is an alcoholic knowing his son was a thief. Hazel has issues and the Vincents are part of a crime family.

It was not an episode to get excited about even though a last minute twist was added. The confession scene at the witness box was straight out of Perry Mason.

Less said about the absurd storyline about Aldermarten's attempt to join an exclusive pompous men only club, the better.