User Reviews

While there are some slow parts in this episode, it is nevertheless very good, though if I were to be honest, it is probably my least favourite of the 1st series. The beginning is quite atmospheric, with the rain, and very relevant to the story. Speaking of the story, it is compelling enough, with a revelation of a final courtroom scene and an ending that is so sad I actually felt so sorry for the victim's mother, even if the victim did have foibles. The script is well written, and the direction is decent. The acting once again is excellent with John Thaw mesmerising as Kavanagh, Lisa Harrow lovely as his wife and Pheobe Nicolls outstanding as the victim's mother. And I learnt something, never write that your headmaster is a whatever on the lockers when he is walking right past, not that I would do that by the way. Overall, very good episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Firstly let me say this episode was excellent but my only Complaint would be Sunderland People don't sound like that?? And I'm from Sunderland.

A young man in the north east of England, Ryan Jarvis regarded as a nuisance burglar is run over by a vigilante during his regular street patrol.

Kavanagh is visited by Ryan's mother who wants the driver Ray West to face a private prosecution. Ryan has serious brain damage. The police will not bring charges because of the lack of corroborative evidence and West is an ex coper injured in the line of duty.

It is the usual courtroom drama with Kavanagh fighting an uphill battle, he even told the mother that the case was weak. All his witnesses are unreliable while West has the police supporting him. In one instance the Judge objects to the testimony given by a policeman, I noticed Kavanagh did not raise an objection to it.

As a television drama, this one is like a David versus Goliath battle. Ryan Jarvis was known to be a bad lad. So Kavanagh who is acting as the private prosecutor has to break down West's story that it was a tragic car accident.

Of course Ryan's mother should had sued West for a civil claim for damages regarding the personal injuries her son has suffered and would had succeeded even on a split liability basis. This is never mentioned here.

Even though this drama was made in the mid 1990s, it also portrays the racism and sexism in the legal profession that existed then. The new pupil at the chambers is having a difficult time with the barrister training her, making her do the photocopying.