I'm pleased about less Boulton because it was around this time I got bored with him.

Is Deakin's absense explained on screen?

It seems Boyden's had his leg over with every criminal's wife

Interesting to see Connie Hyde in today's episode playing the part of Helen, as she more famously played the part of Cathy Bradford a few years later.

On a similar note Ged Simmons played Jack Richards in one of last weeks episodes and later returned as DI Cullen.

I see there changing the time the episodes air during the day from the 7th October

Wasn't Jim moving back to uniform the start of his alcoholism? If so, then it was very well acted and done by Bill script writers.

Thanks for that, must remember to change the recorder next weekend

Yeah there was a little sequence in yesterdays episode that seem to be hinting at it when he went to the pub with June

Quite enjoyed today's episode. They had quite a lot within the episode and some interesting dynamics with Carver back in uniform. Also interesting to see Boyden mark his cards - I remember Boyden being quite hostile to Carver when he had his troubles with alcohol. 7/10

Tomorrow's episode is a cracker!

Still miles behind on my recordings - got another 4 to catch up with. Just watched the two-parter A Question of Trust and these two episode were very well done. Preferred part one to part two personally, but some good dynamics in CID. Part of me wishes Boulton had lost his job because of the trial...it would have brought a bit of unpredictability, because we always know that whenever one of the officers is on trial, they will always find a way to get out of trouble. Boulton getting struck off may have been a shock conclusion.

I've got 14 to catch up on (and only 2% on my Sky+ planner)!

The last episode I watched was Out and About over the weekend, with Quinnan's first day back. Fantastic episode, couldn't fault it really. Some brilliant character led drama, as we see Dave try and come to terms with being back to work.

I found the episode all very sad really - the likes of Stamp and Boyden really angered me with their attitude towards Dave. He suffered a horrific trauma, and they just expected him to pull himself together. They should have insisted that he stayed in the CAD room for his first day back or took him home if they knew he wasn't up for being back. They should have known Dave still wasn't in his right mind. Why on earth did Boyden put him on that operation at the end of the shift? What a stupid and idiotic thing to do! He could have pushed Dave right over the edge. I guess it's a sign of the times though. I know it's only 1999 when this episode was shown, but attitudes in the workplace towards stress amongst other things have only started changing... though in some workplaces, I imagine it's still very taboo.

Loved today's episodes - one of the all time Bill classics!

'I never knew team building could be such fun'

'I think some of us are feeling that way already'

'Yes, it's amazing how bonding a near-death experience can be'

Classic Derek! 10/10 - the best along with Section F we've had so far I'd say

Also the sheep having Brownlow's head!!

Yeah it was a good episode. There is always good banter between Brownlow and Conway with Meadows thrown in for good measure.

I never got the whole revamp thing they did in 2002 and killed Conway et all. Why kill off one of your funniest characters?!

does anyone know when The Bill switched to 16:9

I can beat you I got 63 to catch up on and 14% left on my planner

The episodes airing on Drama now should be 16:9, but they're still showing the old 4:3 versions.

As for the first 16:9 episode, I'm not entirely sure, but I think it may have been "Badlands".

Liked today's episode. Interesting to see the different dynamics and the point it had reached with Boulton. Deakin was brilliant in a few scenes (as he usually is - a disgrace they got rid of him for Cullen!) 7/10

I might not be remembering correctly but I thought there was some other prank played on Boulton? Maybe something to do with a car parking space or something - can anyone clarify as to whether there was anything else taken out of the repeat, or if I'm just getting confused?!

Kerry needs a good slap. She has no respect for anyone senior to her. I was on Boulton' s side for once.

I'm sure I used to like Kerry when I was 13ish her but I just think she's unbearable now.

Don't forget that The Bill changes the time it airs next week on Drama, if like me you don't have Sky+ or similar its easy to miss, a couple of episodes are feature length as well so are on longer.

Respect is a two way street though and Boulton had none for anyone whether they were junior or senior to him

I think the bosses of The Bill began to write out the long term characters in order to cut costs and save money. A number of them were on decent contracts earning decent amounts of money.

It was around this time that I completely gave up watching as the programme (in my opinion) started to become totally unwatchable.

Agree - I think I made it another year or so before I never watched another episode again. I was saddened to hear when it was axed but maybe if they weren't so trigger happy in 2000 and 2002 the how would still have remained strong . Replacing decent actors with soap actors was the last straw and then all those barbie coppers in later years!

The start of Eddie's downfall is currently showing, what a fantastic character Eddie Santini was and the chemistry between him and Rosebud is electric, were the two actors already together when this was being filmed?, I was gutted in a way that Eddie got caught, even though he was a bad boy he had a great charm and Michael Higgs was great in the role that I wanted Eddie to carry on getting away with his crimes, he was also the most realistic villian The Bill had, I did love Cathy Bradford and Gabriel Kent but both were part of the OTT Bill era, Eddie was the first of many baddie cops that followed but Eddie was certainly my favourite.

Loved yesterdays episode and the start of the Eddie storyline, he was a great character. Looking forward to seeing Rosie Fox back as well, as the two characters had great chemistry.

Was good to see Deakin back earlier this week. Am assuming the actor had had his big cancer op by now, he looked a bit different...although I seem to remember him looking frailer than this at one point.

Am loving the repeats. The Bill was a great show at its peak, although it starts to go down hill shortly from what I remember. I gave up after 'All Fall down.'

Where is DS Beech at the moment, he's not been in it for ages.

yeh it was moe of his voice that was slightly different in the most recent episode.