99-1 The Complete Series

Created by multi-award winning playwright Terry Johnson, this hard-hitting crime series, which ran from 1994 to 1995, stars EASTENDERS’ Leslie Grantham as bent ex-copper Mick Raynor – now undercover and in constant danger as he tries to crack organised crime and high-level corruption. Those familiar with the late Grantham will be aware that in private, he was considerably more disgraced than his on-screen alter ego (look him up and your jaw will drop) though of course, his experience of ten years in the slammer following a murder charge proved no doubt useful (as awful as it sounds) for his role of Raynor, whose tasks occasionally demands that he pose as an inmate.

This 14-episode series achieved extraordinarily high rating figures at the time thanks to Leslie Grantham who was, it must be said, regarded as 'pretty hot stuff' after his chilling portrayal of the dastardly ‘Dirty Den Watts’ in EASTENDERS - not surprising therefore that rival network ITV should poach him to star in this never less than absorbing series. Indeed, Grantham could be compared to a glass of Guinness regarding his somewhat laidback 'style' of acting: it is either going to appeal to you or not at all. Here we see him cast as an overzealous ex-copper (was this with Johnson's approval one wonders?) who is not above bending the rules in order to extract confessions from suspects. Things, however, are about to come on top for Raynor and his superiors, Detective Superintendent Travis (Malcolm Storry) and DCI Otterly (Jim Norton) come down on him heavily as a result of his bully boy tactics (nice to know that). Looks like Raynor's career as a policeman is seriously on the skids. Enter mysterious civil service Commander Oakwood (seasoned thesp Sir Robert Stephens) who has a rather interesting proposition for our shady hero: if he'll work completely undercover for him (no one else will know) he will be handsomely remunerated with a mega payoff at the end. Raynor feels he has absolutely nothing to lose - he also benefits by still having a very good friend in the force, namely DC Liz Hulley (Adie Allen) who has 'a bit of a thing about him' (it might be pointed out that just about every woman who comes into contact with Raynor feels the same way - was it those 'come to bed eyes'?). Not only is Liz a good friend but she can supply him with a lot of useful information.

In order for him to get any credibility in the underworld, it must be established that he really is a 'bent copper' gone completely crooked and to this end, Raynor is sent to prison. Oakwood - or so we are led to believe - wants Raynor to nail a number of criminals and put them where they belong. Raynor also has considerable assistance from an underused Niall Buggy as police informant Elbow (a crafty nark). An early mission for Raynor is to get a job with flash psycho gangster cum drug dealer cum successful businessman Gerry McCarthy (a hilarious Danny Webb) by pretending to be a washed up drunken bum - even going so far as to putting fried egg stains on his scruffy suit. Initially the slick but lethal McCarthy tells him to get lost but realises within minutes that Raynor could be very useful and thus gives him a chance. A drug delivery… or is it?

Well, we know Raynor is now working for Oakwood and they regularly meet in out of the way places. It doesn't take Raynor - always one step ahead (and god, he'd have to be) - to get into McCarthys good books though only after proving himself by committing a murder for his new boss. Of course, Oakwood will see to this rather unpleasant task. Raynor’s next job is on a somewhat larger scale (if murder means nothing) and involves discovering the identity of a wrong’un at the American Embassy for a 'client' of McCarthy's - if this seems a little far-fetched, you'll just have to watch the series. McCarthy, sadistic psycho that he is, has his finger in a number of unsavoury pies. If you think he's nasty just wait until you encounter fellow 'businessman' Tate (Christopher Fulford) for whom our man is also 'doing a bit of work for’ and really, Tate (a psychopath with a disturbing streak of jealousy) puts McCarthy in the shade on almost every level. Raynor btw has a roving eye - what do you expect? He gets involved with Tate's woman and runs off with her to an idyllic isolated coastal retreat - but a man like Tate should not be underestimated - needless to say there will be blood! Then is also estranged wife Charlotte (Gwyneth Strong) who he still occasionally sleeps with and a child. Just as well she packs her bags and heads off for Oz, as just about everyone who comes into contact with this man either gets topped or maimed.

This is by and large a pretty multi-layered series with a hell of a lot going on, including a number of questions left unanswered, plus loose ends - not that this should extract from your enjoyment. Robert Stephens' character Oakwood is actually dying in the first episode of Series 2 - this is of course quite sad as in reality this never less than first rate actor died that same year. We also learn a bit more about Oakwood's actual reasons for ‘employing’ Raynor. At the dying Commander's bedside is a woman called Stone (Frances Tomelty) who just happens to be his successor and wants the reluctant Raynor to work for her. By hook or by crook she will get what she wants! She's also the only lead female who doesn't sleep with him, obviously preferring her owls and kestrels over him. Raynor’s secret missions are about to become even more dangerous and the man must have enemies in every corner. One of the nastiest and most corrupt persons who Stone wants to get behind bars is a monster by the name of Mark Wise (a nice part for John Hallam), a powerful multi-millionaire industrialist with a more than shady past. In one episode Raynor is introduced (these connections are provided by Stone) to a woman (Suzanne Fleetwood) bent on revenge against Wise. Raynor does the bargaining for her and acts as middleman after her two rather incompetent henchmen kidnap his pampered daughter, demanding a ransom of £2 Million. However, the odious Wise turns up in later episodes though the previous connection to Raynor seems to have been completely omitted here.

In the penultimate episode, Rayner gets involved in a mega insurance scam concerning a container ship, which turns out to be a death ship. Not only is our man on board but so is pregnant Leela (Joy Elias-Rilwan) who was looking at a stiff prison sentence for a number of scams including fake passports. Never mind that Rayner can’t be sure whether Leela is playing tricks regarding her pregnancy, a bigger worry for him is the fact that someone (guess who?) wiped all records of his existence and cleared his bank account!

This is a very slick and highly polished series and the 4-disc DVD-set should keep you at the edge of your seat. Btw the odd title refers to Raynor’s previous career as a copper: 99% boredom to 1% terror.