Lieutenant Jim Dempsey (Michael Brandon) was an impeccable New York cop; tough, streetwise and with a reputation whiter than white. But when a corruption scandal hits the force Dempsey is out in the cold after killing his partner. That's how he ends up in England - reassigned to special intelligence unit SI 10, waiting for things to cool down and constantly at loggerheads with the stunning Harriet Makepeace (Glynis Barber). She's a Cambridge graduate daughter of an English Lord who is chasing a high-flying career at Scotland Yard. Although Dempsey and Makepeace are unlikely partners in crime they are dynamite when it comes to solving a case and they have a love-hate relationship that will keep you at the edge of your seat. Holding them together is their boss, Gordon Spikings (Ray Smith). As the head of SI-10 he is not a man to be trifled with...
Whilst it is honest to goodness escapism, the series doens't seem to be as coherent as it could be, with characterisations changing between episodes - especially the feature length pilot and the series. The commentaries are quite interesting in this respect, as it seems that the pilot was written after the series This is no great problem when watching an episode a week, but with DVD it is so easy to start on disc one and before you know it you are at the end of the final disc, and character differences show up like a sore thumb. There is a definite trend with this series though and it would appear that one writer in particular didn't really have a feel for the show or the characters and was at odds with the other writers.
The set is not without the requisite extras, and these include a new 'The Making of Dempsey & Makepeace' featurette with Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber and commentaries with Michael Brandon and Glynis Barber for the pilot and first episode. All in all, this series follows similar trends to other buddy-cop series like the Professionals, but doesn't have the same shine of quality about it, being more a dumbed down version, but I have certainly sat through a lot worse shows, and the fact that I literally run all the shows end to end shows it must have something about it that is compelling viewing, especially as this meant around 600 minutes in total! With the £24.99 RRP it also offers quite good value for money.
I believe that second series is an improvement on the first as by this time the characters had bedded in, and with it already up for preorder at Amazon, I shouldn't have that long to wait to find out!
:: Series One
| Episode Title | Synopsis | Original Tx. Date |
|---|---|---|
| Armed and Extremely Dangerous | After killing his partner, New York cop Jim Dempsey is reassigned to SI-10 - an elite London-based unit that
specialises in fighting major crime. Reporting to the gruff, no-nonsense Chief Superintendent Spikings, he is
partnered with upper crust British policewoman Harriet Makepeace It is a contest as to which of them is the most
appalled but a mutual antagonism grows between the two, tempered by an attraction they cannot always ignore. Written by Ranald Graham Directed by Tony Wharmby | 11.1.85 |
| The Squeeze | A security van loaded with half a million pounds is hijacked and one of the security men is murdered. Dempsey and
Makepeace are detailed to investigate. Written by Jesse Carr-Martindale Directed by Tony Wharmby | 18.1.85 |
| Lucky Streak | After a robbery and a murder in a London casino, Dempsey and Makepeace become involved in the search for a girl
who wears a rare antique necklace. Written by Dave Humphries Directed by Tony Wharmby | 25.1.85 |
| Given to Acts of Violence | Gang leader Frank Egan plans the perfect crime with an ingenious way of disposing of the money. When the daring
robbery takes place, Dempsey and Makepeace have to change their identities. Written by Jonathan Hales Directed by William Brayne | 1.2.85 |
| Hors de Combat | Two rival underworld gangs set a severe test for Dempsey and Makepeace. Dempsey goes gambling in a world where
extortion, murder and kidnapping are the rules of the game and Makepeace has to save more than his skin. Written by Jonathan Hales Directed by Christian Marnham | 8.2.85 |
| Nowhere to Run | A terrorist group smuggles arms into the country in order to spring one of their number from prison. New York cop
Dempsey, poses as a photographer. Written by Dave Humphries Directed by Gerry Mill | 15.2.85 |
| Makepeace, Not War | A warehouse-robbery investigation puts Dempsey and Makepeace on the trail of a large drug-smuggling ring. Written by Jesse Carr-Martindale Directed by Tony Wharmby | 22.2.85 |
| Blind Eye | High-level corruption is revealed alongside a kidnapping. Dempsey relives a way of stealing cars and Makepeace
pretends to resort to the oldest profession in the world. Written by Jesse Carr-Martindale Directed by Tony Wharmby | 1.3.85 |
| Cry God For Harry | A collection of priceless antique jade is stolen from Harriet Makepeace's father, Lord Winfield, and she takes
Dempsey to the country to investigate. Two murders later, they have to resort to medieval weapons to defend
themselves. Written by Neil Rudyard Directed by William Brayne | 8.3.85 |
| Judgement | Makepeace's best friend is murdered and Dempsey shows her another side of his nature. A man is kidnapped and the
two detectives discover that rough justice may not be the way to solve anyone's problems. Written by Jesse Carr-Martindale Directed by William Brayne | 15.3.85 |