The BEST episodes of The Bill season 1
Every episode of The Bill season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Bill season 1!
The Bill follows the officers of Sun Hill, a Metropolitan Police station located in the fictional Borough of Canley in London's East End. Created in 1983 by Geoff McQueen as a one-off drama called "Woodentop", The Bill was spun off as a full series, and ran for over 26 years and 2,425 episodes. Covering both uniformed officers and CID detectives, the series is renowned for its accurate and authentic portrayal of policing in London.
#1 - The Drugs Raid
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/20/1984
After a residents' meeting complaining about the drug problem on their estate, DI Galloway mentions that he had heard that an old illegal club has reopened in an abandoned theatre complex - this time dealing drugs. He asks a parent, Tombo Robinson, who used to be involved in the club, if he will infiltrate it to confirm Galloway's suspicions. Tombo reluctantly agrees, and meets with Galloway to tell him that a huge drug deal is going down that afternoon. Galloway quickly arranges a warrant, and sets about organising a huge raid on the club. The raid runs according to plan, but Tombo is stabbed by a dealer as he tries to let the police into the building. PC Edwards and Carver give chase to the dealer, but are alarmed when the suspect speeds off in a car bearing diplomatic plates. Galloway checks up on Tombo in hospital, and is shocked to discover that he has died and was a heroin addict. Returning to the station, Galloway is furious when Ch. Supt. Brownlow, a Home Office representative, and a diplomat from a small African nation request he relinquish the case to the government on diplomatic grounds.
#2 - It's Not Such a Bad Job After All
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/13/1984
After being given a hard time by Galloway after finding a suicide, WPC Ackland considers chucking in the job. Further investigation leads to a porn film ring.
#3 - Long Odds
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/6/1984
P.C. Litten recognises a photo of a wanted armed robber, but takes the information to D.I. Galloway instead of Sgt. Cryer, and gets into trouble with both men. Meanwhile, a gang of thugs is robbing local shopkeepers, and P.C. Edwards purses a mugger into a derelict building and is trapped when the floor collapses beneath him.
#4 - A Dangerous Breed
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/27/1984
PC Dave Litten is on secondment to CID, and is desperate to impress his boss, DI Roy Galloway. Galloway and Litten are about to have a meal at the local pub when a call comes through that a valuable necklace has been stolen from a local aristocrat, Lord Barstow-Smythe. Traffic problems hold them back as they race across Sun Hill trying to get there before the "woodentops". With Galloway and DS Roach busy, Litten talks to a local reporter and ends up mentioned in the local paper. Shortly afterwards, he is contacted by a mysterious stranger who offers to locate the burglers if Litten can convince Barstow-Smythe's insurance company to pay him the reward up-front. The Stranger then sets up two young lads to take the fall for the theft, and Litten proudly arrests them. Galloway recognises the MO of the case as that of a notorious conman, and lambasts Litten for his stupidity.
#5 - A Friend In Need
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/23/1984
D.I. Galloway places a bet with Sgt. Cryer that he can solve a case involving verbal threats made to a number of restaurants, which the Home Office believes may be racially-motivated. P.C. Carver is accused of stealing a drunken journalist's wallet when he and probationer P.C. Higgins arrest the man.
#6 - Rough in the Afternoon
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/4/1984
PC Carver and PC Edwards are called to a domestic and are informed by the neighbour that a child was taken by his father. Meanwhile, the mother has turned up at the station to report the abduction in person.
#7 - The Sweet Smell of Failure
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/22/1985
A tip in a counterfeit perfume case pulls in two very old aged pensioners who appear to have been pinching things since WWII. But after leading Carver and Ackland in a merry chase it turns out they aren't the real culprits.
#8 - Clutching at Straws
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/30/1984
A young boy is assaulted by a gang of thugs, and although he is reluctant to press charges, his brother decides to take matters into his own hands. Det. Sgt. Roach investigates an indecent assault and attempted abduction outside a school, but the attacker manages to get away. P.C.s Litten and Carver are at odds when Carver takes an interest in social work at a youth club.
#9 - Burning The Books
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/8/1985
After a briefcase is found by a young car thief, Det. Insp. Galloway thinks he can finally nick the 'Arthur Daley' of Sun Hill. Because of car problems he is unable to interview his chief suspect. After a warehouse fire that is supposed to convince Galloway the porn magazines were destroyed, they arrive back at the station just as the van carrying them drives away - having been parked at the back entrance for 24 hours.
#10 - Death of a Cracksman
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/15/1985
Alfie Mullins is a non-returned prisoner, not a dangerous prisoner as reported. He is an old-fashioned safe-cracker who, just as he is returning to the prison, is approached by one of a gang of thieves who want Alfie to open a safe they pinched. While they are talking Alfie is accidentally killed. The safe is rigged to explode by remote control which P.C. Carver accidentally sets off when he uses his radio.
#11 - Funny Ol' Business - Cops & Robbers
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/16/1984
After a briefing from Sgt. Cryer, PCs Carver and Edwards arrest a car thief, but are reluctantly persuaded to release him when he turns out to be an informant for DS Burnside from Barton Street. PC Litten assists CID with a case involving a series of house break-ins related to a double-glazing company. WPCs Ackland and Martella make a failed attempt to arrest a gang of pickpockets at the high street markets.