A Breach Of The Peace

A gypsy is released from prison, and the old family feud he left behind reawakens the moment he is back on the streets. A Breach Of The Peace is about how long a grudge can sit quietly before somebody comes home to light it again.

The release acts as a catalyst, and the simmering conflict between the Tullys and the Driscolls boils over into police business. Inspector Jean Darblay and her officers have to manage the chaos of an old quarrel with criminal consequences, walking the line between investigation and the raw emotion of a family war. Tom Tully, Jack Driscoll, Wally Cater, Ron Philips, Gus Tully and Selina Tully all have their place in the feud, and the released man's return puts every one of them on edge. The station keeps the peace with Sergeant Joseph Beck, Sergeant George Parrish and PC Peter Sims, and the episode runs on the uncomfortable knowledge that the worst fights are the ones with history behind them.

Robert Holmes wrote it, the man behind some of Doctor Who's finest scripts, and Paul Ciappessoni directed. Stephanie Turner is Jean Darblay, with David Ellison as Beck, Noel Collins as Parrish and David Gillies as Peter Sims. Alan Lake plays Tom Tully, Bernard Horsfall is Jack Driscoll, Jack Smethurst is Wally Cater, Jack Carr is Ron Philips, Paul Angelis is Gus Tully and Christine Hargreaves is Selina Tully.

The episode is at its best when it lets the feud speak for itself. Nobody needs to explain why the two families hate each other; the hatred is visible in every meeting, and the police are left holding the peace between people who do not want it.

It is a serviceable, solid hour. Old rumours and older grudges, given the right chance, can outlast every attempt to bury them.