Superintendent Tom Chandler makes his stunning debut at Sun Hill, transferred along with new DI Alex Cullen from the West End, spending the episode meeting-and-greeting the locals and being an instant hit with Jack Meadows. (His first line in the Bill: "Good") He calls fellow officers "mate" the record number of times in this episode.

Kate Spears also makes her first appearance, coming from Stamford Bridge CSU. (Her first line in the Bill: "And we're back where we started.") She reciprocates immediate interest in DC Mickey Webb but the few sparks fizzed.

The key conversation happens in the first half of the episode, in Chandler's office with Cullen:

Chandler: What about Spears?
Cullen: Seems keen.
Chandler: I like the look of her record.
Cullen: Is that all?

Chandler assigns Cullen to thwart soccer rioting, Meadows nevertheless is determined to crack the case, citing his experience in the area, but his informant gives him dodgy information, Cullen being in the right in end.

Spears worked with PC Di Worrell, finding a drunk man hunched over a bashed woman. It turns out the woman is his girlfriend and she was bashed by soccer hooligans. She also acts as a "Body", asping rioters as they advance on the Sun Hill crew.

There was no key conversation.

Outwardly this episode appears to be primarily about Webb and Spears, but it is really just the start of chemistry between THEM., as is so named (and perhaps about the mother of the children accidentally losing one as a result of trying to gain insurance money from torching her house).

Chandler remains interested in the case, asking Spears for status updates, causing rivalry between Meadows and Chandler when Chandler mentions a lead that Spears mentioned to him while Meadows was busy, Meadows warning her about "stepping on toes".

Spears sleeps with Webb, Webb misunderstanding her non-desire for a relationship.

Overall this episode establishes Chandler's personal interest in Spears, even if she doesn't see beyond professional interest at this stage, more than one key meeting between the two during the course of the episode.

The key conversation, taking place as Spears leaves the day from CID, more key factor being Duncan's interest, eavesdropping from his desk:

Chandler: Ah Kate, well done on that arson case, not the easiest of things to deal with, but Jack Meadows was really pleased with your contribution.
Spears: Thankyou Sir.
Chandler: Are you walking down?
Spears: Yeah.
Chandler: Good, so how's the surviving daughter doing?
Spears: As well as to be expected, she's on the up...

Containing less than its fair share of THEM. action, this episode is more fantastic in its clever writing and symbolism.

For Chandler fans, there is also the opportunity to spy a little on his private life- hearing his side of personal phone conversations, hear him whistling and humming to himself, and for once, and hear his hearty laugh. The interesting section of his half of the conversation:

Before you go, did anything happen between you and Gabby last week?...No!...What she wasn't wearing you mean!...No! [Laughs]

He also called Guy Mannion (he asked for "Mr Mannion" and his final words were, "Goodnight, Sir") aiding to Meadows' bladder containment problems as he hid out in Conway's office after coming back drunk from a party, Chandler speaking from this secretaries desk.

The key conversation, at the entrance to CID, Chandler facing CID's windows:

Chandler: Kate, you seen the DCI?
Spears: Ah, I think he went out (Sarge?), Sir.
Chandler: Well I would hope that finished some time ago.
Spears: [eyeing Meadows peeking through the double doors behind Chandler] I'm sure it did, Sir, but I haven't seen him at all this afternoon. I'm sure he's been around, just, ah, not in the same places as me, Sir.
Spears: Okay, thankyou.

After almost six months of her boss being especially friendly to her, Webb finally says straight out to Kate that Chandler is favouring her.

This happens at the end of a great episode, where Spears gets involved with this assault victim, Lisa Hayes, who is reluctant to make a statement against her husband Neil, latching onto Spears into near harassment. Eventually Lisa pulls the allegation because she's involved with Neil's boss, Neil's boss involved in illegal alcohol importation that Webb is assigned to deal with.

Chandler takes great interest in the case, saying that the opportunity to work with community groups and support networks for Lisa is great for the Met, Spears spending a fair bit of time in his office "updating" him and "discussing" the proposals. When she storms into his office claiming that he's gone back on his promise by backing Webb's case over hers, Chandler calmly orders her to go finish that report on sexual assault in the community as he had asked her to, humouring her later when the report spans only two pages.

There were few great conversations in this episode, but the best one was the final one, outside the station:

Chandler: Kate, well done for today, although hardly an ideal day for the Hayes woman.
Spears: Well, we've got a good case against the husband, Sir, which was the original point.
Chandler: True enough, and we can't live other people's lives for them. This initiative's gonna be a long term project so maybe we should get together and have a chat about it...soon?
Spears: Great, Sir.
Chandler: Okay, see you later.

The last few months have not been easy for Meadows, Sun Hill's "new broom" poking at him as if he's the spider and the source of the cobwebs he wishes to sweep out. When an old friend alleges that Chandler was involved in a corruption in a CID he worked in many years back, Meadows jumps to the idea and carefully starts investigating. It turns out Chandler was the whistle-blower, Meadows saving himself and his career when he learns the friend blamed Chandler for not receiving a promotion and the failure of his marriage.

Spears goes undercover as a cocaine buyer, and under tricky circumstances pulls long-time wanted villain George Stubbs in for dealing.

There were no key conversations in this episode, however, the insights into Chandler's past warranted an extra star.

Part one did not contain Kate Spears, the actual investigation focusing on Bob Cryer's ability to solve problems on a neighbourhood street of prostitutes using it as a pick-up strip. The most noteworthy events were Chandler's TV interview, bignoting the "Zone of Tolerance" idea of moving the prostitutes to a non-residential strip of road; and, of course, the first and only appearance of Chandler in his "James Bond" dinner suit.

The key line of the first part came not from Spears or Chandler, but from Polly Paige in CAD when Chandler changed plans to go to the scene of the resident's apartment block when it was arsoned:

I bet he looks like James Bond turning up dressed like that!

In part two, Spears was knitted into the case to investigate one of the prostitutes' assault. It turns out to be the prostitute Bob Cryer thought was helping him, pushing him further into doubt about his policing career.

The key conversation in the second part was in CID, Chandler making a random visit and reassuring Spears by rubbing her shoulder (a first):

Chandler: Kate, how's everything?
Spears: Fine, Sir.
Chandler: No problems?
Spears: No.
Chandler: Well, you know where I am if you need me.

Spears and Chandler made seperate appearances in this episode, Chandler at the very start and Spears very close to the end. The most humerous line of the episode was from Spears, set up on a Resteraunt table with Mickey Webb, on an obbo with Jamie Ross a solcitor, Debbie McAllister's informant. The humour of it is that, with some imagination, it can be construed as less the job and more the company.

I hope this was worth it.

When Kate Spears and Crimit are teamed up, Superintendant had to get involved too. It was a case of Mrs Spencer culminating video footage of her husband into a tape because she thought he was having an affair, and an awkward paranoid who smashed CCTV cameras in a shopping mall was questioned, he claimed that cameras were watching him, following him. Despite this, Spears lets him go, and he produces photos of a payoff between two mall staff behind the shopping mall, out of the way of the cameras glaring eye. On this, a warehouse was raided. When the photographed people realised who grassed, they abduct him and through a traced phone call from Robbert the cops find the villans.

Naturally, Chandler makes sure everyone knows of Spears' success at the case, publically congratulating her in the caferteria.

There were many good moments in this episode, a few quoted below.

Spears:[to Ackland]Well maybe you should take it up with Mr Chandler before you do that sarge [complain that Spears had taken a uniform along to her investigations when she was told she wasn't allowed to]
(later in Chandler's office)
Chandler: Oh and I hear Sergent Ackland wasn't too happy about you using one of her officers.
Spears: She did say something.
Chandler: Oh leave it to me, I'll smooth her feathers [smiles].
(In the caferteria, Mickey and Spears)
Webb: Mr Chandler debreifing you has'e? Dunno what you see in 'em either.
Spears: We think alike.

(Cullen gets a phonecall that Spears has no leads)
Cullen [to Webb]: Oh dear, I don't think Mr Chandler'll be very happy. He wants her so much to succeed.

As Spears flaunts herself more and more around possible informants mas well as the station, the needless gossip surrounding "whatever's going on" between them increases vehelmently. Des Taviner is flapping his big mouth about "what Chandler was like at Hendon" (his version of events).

Chandler has a continuing interest in the work of her, more than Cullen is comfortable with. She's supposed to be doing his paperwork, but she's off at a school promoting the "School Cadet" program. What she's really doing is gaining insider intelligence to crack the spate of baseball bat and perfume assaults. When she confronts her suspicions, she is confronted with the gang, the rest of CID work out whose responsible and save her from the beating.

All that is extraneous (litterally). The more interesting events are Chandler retriving Spears several times from CID to do his work, and later (for lack of time of course), going out to discuss the case over lunch.

The rumours are rife. The DI is up in arms over "special treatment" of one of his officers. Des Taviner threatens catastrophy if his demands are not met. Borough Commander Guy Mannion is "sniffing around" for who knows what.

It is big. It is Liquid City.

Chandler and Spears are on a boat, Chandler entertaining everyone with a joke about the "job". He gets laughs. Cullen watches on as Reg Hollis and Des Taviner, who are litterally falling head over feet to catch a burgalar as Mannion and team watch Chandler's escallating crime rate. When Mannion goes into Spanish inqisition mode, Spears steps in, saying she's on the case and that she'll bring the rate down.

While Chandler and Spears toil, Cullen scowls (see below left). He is not a happy man- he gets the third degree, while Spears is re-delegated where Chandler sees fit. Cullen takes his own, assigning Roy Stenning, a profiler, to help Spears in her quest to find the mystery arsonist plauging Sun Hill. The pattern is established, Webb aiding Spears on the trail and nearly bump into the guy a couple of times.

The work though, is not nearly as interesting as the "play". PC Des Taviner convinced PC Reg Hollis to use the PNC to look up the address of a woman he's interested in, and Chandler catches him in the act. But Des steps in.

Taviner: But hearing that did remind me of something, when you an' me were at Hendon. Julie Cooper. 'Cause you made a right mess of her really didn't ya. Proposin' ot her one minute, droppin' her the next. I heard she left the job three weeks after she got onto division.
Chandler: It was nothing to do with me, she was clinically depressed.

Chandler turns the investigation away from Hollis onto Taviner and his thirty-three checks on female drivers in a month.

Meanwhile, Chandler mentions, less than subitly, that there are rumours going around about him and Spears (see left).
Later on, she tells him she isn't challenging his authority as the boss because he wants to ditch Roy Stenning from the investigation, then realises she's stepped her foot in it; or not. Chandler says she can keep Stenning on, if they do supper- tomorrow night, no work.

Spears unintentionally blabs to Webb that she's got a "date", and he spreads the information to Cullen. Chandler sees Cullen in the yard and tells him the news: Mannion is looking for a new Borough Commander. Cullen says that's all well and good, but how's it going to go down that Chandler is dating a pretty, young, DC?

Chandler and Spears get on like a house on fire on their date, Spears saying her parents are dead and Chandler that his brother has worked in a frozen pea factory for ten years.

Spears suggests they go back to her flat, Chandler agrees.

However, at the cab, Chandler declines. Spears goes home deflated, passing the latest arson.
She's then greeted by a less-than-receptive Superintendent the next day, telling her to get back to her "burglary report" Cullen had her assigned to, and to get rid of Stenning. She ignores him, goes out with Roy and tracks the vagrant arsonist to a railway station underground.

Chandler cheerfully congratulates Stenning, and Spears, in front of CID.

Spears does not follow the crowd as they trot off to free beers on Chandler. Instead, she settles at her desk, asking Mickey if she'd stuffed up. He thought not.

When he's gone, she bursts into tears.

The first episode of their "sworded little affair" (as Webb loves to term it). Chandler seems to be sneaking around, then is finally in the hotel Cullen is running an obbo in. There's a great buildup, Chandler ordering a bottle of wine, calling the "woman", behind yanked in by the tie to the hotel room. Next, a woman is in bed with him and he goes to the door to investigate and with not too much on going to look out the door, finally the beans spill- Spears is in bed, behind him. The only ep where you get a full view of him without a shirt on!

Key conversation, in the hotel room:

Chandler: [hears noise outside] What is that? [goes to door, pausing at handle]
Spears: Don't be stupid...you thing, come back here.

Spears is less concerned than Chandler to keep their relationship hush-hush, a rendezvous of lips in his office nearly sprung by Webb barging in on them.

After Spears leaves Webb to take surveillance shots, they meet in a hotel room, Spears realising Chandler was less than keen to start a relationship before because of a possible promotion to Borough Commander. (This was also his first haunting instance of using the word "teasing" as an adjective for female behaviour, the same word used later to frighteningly describe Louise Marsden's behaviour before he raped her)

In the (sick-minded) case subplot, Spears and Webb are interviewing Angie Weller, wife of (imprisoned) Jimmy Weller. Ms Weller is more than willing to flaunt her scars of her brutal husband to Spears, rambling about how men with power are bad news.

Key conversation in Chandler's office:

Chandler: [Spears kissing him] Hang on a minute, not here
Spears: You were the one that wanted to see me.
Chandler: Yeah, to arrange tonight. Look, we've gotta be careful.
Spears : You mean you've got a lot to lose.
Chandler: We've both got a lot to lose.
Spears: You're the boss, whatever you say.

(No copy of episode, cannot give full synopsis. Based on episode guide and memory)
Spears feels used after finding out why he was unwilling to start a relationship before, making this clear to Chandler.

Spears is still upset with Chandler, Chandler groveling to get back into their good books. When Chandler is supposed to go and speak to the Asian* community leaders and can't make an evening with her, Spears jumps a mile, Chandler promising to cancel his other plans to be with her.

He gives the job of speaking to the Asian* community to Conway. For some bizarre reason (considering he hates Chandler and he'd love to see him publicly humiliated rather than help out), Webb pledged his help earlier in the day, meaning he knew that Chandler substituted Conway for himself. When Conway's car is petrolbombed, Webb considers Chandler to be the considered target, and holds a grudge against him (which worsens when he finds out the truth of where Chandler really was).
However, it was Des Taviner that should have been escorting Conway's car to prevent the motorcycle that had the petrolbombists aboard, not chasing youths that had stolen is flashy new sports car.

Key conversation:

Spears: You're gonna grovel, big time.
Chandler: I can't wait!

* Note for Australians; "Asian" meaning "from India"

Stress and Webb is beginning to hit Chandler where it hurts. Conway's angry widow rejecting a police funeral and telling him to his face "exactly what Derek thought of him", Webb bitterly blaming him for Conway's death. Under pressure, he yells at Spears, causing her to stalk back to Webb.

Webb is seething about Chandler and is determined to find out who his "tart" is, telling Spears she is the only person he can trust, and they go interview DC Danny Glaze about DS Vic Sigh's actions and attitudes.

Key conversation:

Coming soon

Webb's boondoggle is continuing to have an effect on Spears as she drifts further and further away from Chandler, but not far enough for Webb's satisfaction. Chandler letting his guard down for two bare moments, in the yard, where he strokes her cheek and in Conway's now vacant office, Webb alerted to their rendezvous by Spears' joyful squealing, truth finally sinking in.

Spears promises to bring Webb around, convincing him to keep quiet about their relationship. Webb lies to DS Debbie McAllister, throwing her off the scent of Chandler and Spears' relationship.

Key conversation:

Coming soon

The miserable episode that ended it all (or not...check out the "Dead?" page). Literally.

As the ethnic and white communities are going nuts at each other (for no apparent reason, out of the blue it started in ep 001...strange that), Chandler is feeling the pressure, unable to spend time with Spears. Mickey's seemingly expendable time is being spent telling her what a bad move he is, and lacking time with him, she is starting to heed the brainwashing.

Petrol bombs are being flung from all directions at the station (you'd think they'd call in armed forces, tanks would've ironed the petrol bombers well out of the way), Webb's words have taken control of the inebriated Spears, and she goes to Chandler's office.

Borderline standing, she rambles incomprehensively about how she's going to tell everyone about them and how it's over. The stress boils over for Chandler, and he flings her against the wall, kissing her.

Her mind thinks otherwise, she knees him where it really hurts and he drops like a fly, rolling on the floor in agony.

Spears: You're finished, I'll finish you.

She returns to her ugly fate with PC Di Worrell, DC Paul Reilly, PC Ben Hayward and PC Sam Harker; downstairs Inspector Andrew Monroe receives similar indignity. Again, it is Taviner who inflicts the blow, hurling a petrol bomb through the window of Monroe's temporary office where the renovator has stored gas cylinders (for what purpose he would need gas cylinders for escapes me- please explain Marquess). If the reader fancies themselves any competency as a cop-show fan, they'll know what gas cylinders and a petrol bomb equals.

A maleficent joke of a situation causing unjustifiable slaughter.

Webb is distraught after taking Spears' promise of a relationship literally, venting at Chandler. Knowing how to get Webb where where it hurts, Chandler claims about Spears,

Also, didn't mean a thing to be if it makes you happy to believe that.

There are no shots of her in hospital, Mickey seemingly does not visit her either. In fact, the only word that she was in there was gossip that her family were with her.

Chandler is painfully unaware Meadows and Webb are plotting his demise, nevertheless, speaking at the memorial service about Spears.

Kate Spears was always the first one in. In the morning, and the first to get a round in at the end of the day. She was great fun.
She was thorough, conscientious, and above all, intelligent. She often used to amaze us with her speed of thought. She was a young woman with a lot to give. A young woman determined to get on.
[Webb walks up to the front of the hall and glares at Chandler, leaving]
You can see for yourselves, how much Kate's death has affected some of her colleagues. In fact, I think its unbearable for all of us to think of such a promising young life cut short so tragically.

Later on Chandler speak with Spears' mother, the only shot of her ever on the Bill. Webb watched through his scowling conniving.
(Note: In episode Liquid City Spears told Chandler her parents were both dead.)

Meanwhile, DS Debbie McAllister wastes no time throwing herself at Chandler, their meeting in a disable toilet to prove instrumental in Chandler's demise later on.