The Chinese Detective
1981–1982 · BBC One · 60 min · 2 seasons
S02E08 · Secret State
Fri, 5 Nov, 11:00 pm
A fatal shooting occurs and the only witness is an old lady and her budgies! Then other parties show interest..
About
Chinese British Detective Sergeant John Ho solves cases in the East End of London. Ho fits the pattern of the maverick detective, prepared to use unorthodox methods to solve his cases. British-born Chinese actor David Yip plays Ho and instead of the barely intelligible English typically spoken by Chinese actors in British drama, Yip's accent has a strong Cockney influence.
Episodes
- E01
Trials
Fri, 10 Sept· 60 minOn the first day of the Old Bailey trial, John Ho gets an unwelcome call from his boss Berwick. As well as two OAP's, a 12-bore shotgun and a fleet of three-wheelers.
- E02
Oblomov
Fri, 17 Sept· 60 minJohn Ho has viral pneumonia. Dr Li prescribes 'ten days horizontal', but a visit from informer, Jack Bross, rouses John from his sickbed.
- E03
Wheels Within Wheels
Fri, 24 Sept· 60 minJack Longman's good with figures but a stolen Mercedes and a ledger, set John Ho on course for another result. Not the one he had in mind.
- E04
Tapdancer
Fri, 1 Oct· 60 minA mother's cry for help sends John in search of a missing boy. With tapshoes and a cassette player, Tommy is no ordinary boy.
- E05
Bounty Hunter
Fri, 8 Oct· 60 minWhen a Glaswegian gunfighter rides into Limehouse there's blood on the streets. But Doc Halliday's fantasies explode in other people's faces.
- E06
Chorale
Fri, 15 Oct· 60 minJack Balfe is an East End fence and when he wants distinguished Tenor Robert Tear to sing at his daughter's 21st. No one, least of all John Ho, is going to stop him.
- E07
Pasts
Fri, 22 Oct· 60 minRoutine searches and an irritable Berwick don't appeal to John Ho. When a pile of bones is found in a derelict house, Ho sees a chance to escape both.
- E08
Secret State
Fri, 5 Nov· 60 minA fatal shooting occurs and the only witness is an old lady and her budgies! Then other parties show interest..
Cast
David Yip
Detective Sergeant John Ho
Derek Martin
Detective Chief Inspector Berwick
Arthur Kelly
Detective Sergeant Donald Chegwyn
Larrington Walker
Ezra