Television Reviews - "The Bill"

episode #15.21 "Out & About"

Episode #15.21: Out And About

In this gripping episode of The Bill we see PC Dave Quinnan (Andrew Paul) beginning to descend into a hell of self-doubt following a near-fatal attack he sustained from a gang of youths. Very possibly his whole sense of worth is tied up in being a police officer and he is wondering if he is still up to the job, and so are his co-workers. He then meets Alan Dodds (Andrew Tiernan) a once fit modern-war veteran who is now suffering badly from Gulf War Syndrome.

Dodds lives alone save for the constant companion of the unspoken terror of his increasing debilitation. Outwardly he does not seem to be dealing with his illness – by rejecting offers of help and medical treatment – but as the story unfolds his actions belie that he has thought about his situation at a deeper level. Assaulting the thug Jefferson is Dodds’ way to use his extensive military training to bring down an even bigger, meaner enemy than himself whilst still ensuring that he will receive the medical treatment he needs without losing face, in gaol. It is in fact his “last hurrah” as a soldier and as a man.

Dave sees a parallel in his and Dodds’ situations in the way that they are both putting themselves on the front line through their work. Dodd's says: “It's your job, you get paid for it. You take the rough with the smooth and you stop complaining.” And even after he discovers that Dodds has used him as part of his violent plan it triggers a shift in his perspective towards the attack and his role as a police officer. He adopts some of Dodds’ more brutal - yet undeniably courageous - attitude by choosing not to apply for compensation for his injuries. Ironically they swap roles for a moment…he goes back into the job a more toughened ‘soldier’ whilst Dodds goes off to prison for his method of ‘policing’.

This was the very first thing I ever saw Andy in and it affected me profoundly. I think he was perfect in this role as the gritty, embittered and volatile Alan Dodds and that the whole episode and storyline was very powerful indeed. Full marks to both Andrew Tiernan and Andrew Paul for their spot-on performances here; this is The - old (!) - Bill at its best.

Review written by Judith McGrath © 2008

(Episode written by Richard Stoneman 1999)

Andy's Character

Alan Dodds

Andy's Content Rating

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