Some of The Sweeney's reputation for innovation and grittiness no doubt stemmed from this episode. The camera work, and some of the content, must have seemed ground-breaking and unusual in the mid-1970s.
This is one of those stories which finds Regan under a cloud and under pressure from the powers-that-be. Regan has to use his ingenuity and his instincts to extricate himself from the situation. Others may feel that he is simply acting like a good, diligent detective.
There is a certain wistfulness for me in watching some early episodes of The Sweeney. That period is the first of which I have any clear memories, and I can identify with what life was like back then. 'Jackpot', in its own way, evokes some of these feelings.
Regan is to the fore, navigating the corridors of police politics. It is noticeable how, despite the pressure he is under, he remains composed, calm and focused, perhaps a sign of his confidence that matters would eventually be resolved to his satisfaction.
Carter is less prominent, but Dennis Waterman's innate likeability and fluid talent ensure that his contributions are important to the episode's overall quality. The interrogation scenes are particularly noteworthy in this respect, with Ed Devereaux also excelling here.
It is nice to see some of the other members of the squad (Matthews, Thorpe) heavily involved, too.
The story-line is quite novel and refreshing, and gives the viewer some food for thought once the truth is known. The ending is also telling and eloquent, in a quiet way.
The imaginative camera angles, especially in the outdoor sequences, lead to some elegant and "artistic" moments. These are not always done for symbolism or metaphor, but they add to the charm and the interest.
Not a perfect episode, but a highly watchable and fluent production, which holds the attention.