Review by canndyman

'The Placer' has always been one of my favourite episodes, and makes for a memorable entry in season 1.

Regan goes undercover as a lorry driver, hoping to attract the attentions of a racketeering gang who arrange to hijack lorries - after doing deals with drivers to 'lose' their loads.

We see him in the pre-credits sequence sat in his cab with a tarty hitchhiker (brilliantly played by Susan Tracy), as she sizes him up as a potential next 'victim' for the gang - just what Regan wants.

He is soon hired, but comes a cropper at the hands of the gang's brutal leader (great performance here too from John Forgeham). But who is really running the racket - and can Regan find out in time before an increasingly nervous Haskins takes him off the case?

This is just an excellent episode from start to finish, packed with intrigue, suspense, violence and a dash of humour along the way.

We have Regan undercover on the 'inside', whilst Carter does his best on the 'outside' - putting himself in danger too in one very tense scene.

Regan's 'Boston Strangler' quip about Haskins is a classic line that shows in no uncertain terms just exactly what he thinks of him!

The first season is on the whole very strong, and this excellent episode is certainly among the very best.