The Vice (1999)
The Vice is an ITV police drama about the Metropolitan Police Vice Unit. It ran for five short series between 1999 and 2003. It tells the story of the London Metropolitan police force's vice squad, where prostitution, underage sex, and other such organized crime are regular occurrences. Most episodes end in such a way where the main villain is caught but often not in a 'naturally' concluded way that you would expect with other TV dramas, and often ending an episode with more questions unanswered than answered. The small dedicated team is led by Detective Inspector Pat Chappel who struggles to manage the balance between his home life and his work life - as do the other members of the team. Working in the seedy underworld leads to a continual dilemma for the team - the tension between the Vice Squad and the vice-related crimes that they investigate runs throughout the series and gives the show a rich viewing experience. The programme often blurs the line of the team staying on the right side of the law, as almost every member of the team at different points submits briefly or permanently to the temptations of either sex, drugs, money or honey traps. Sometimes with drastic consequences.
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Episode 1 - Home is the Place (1)
Release Date: 2000-01-10DI Chappel and Sgt Robinson travel to Sheffield to uncover the reason that young girls from a children's home are becoming prostitutes in London. Chappel offers a roof to PC Hutchins.
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Episode 2 - Home is the Place (2)
Release Date: 2000-01-17DI Chappel and Sgt Robinson uncovr a London pimp's connection to the children's home where he recruits child prostitutes. Chappel seeks comfort in the bed of a colleague.
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Episode 3 - Walking on Water (1)
Release Date: 2000-01-24DI Chappel and PC Hutchins work undercover to investigate the gambling operation at The Jupiter nightclub.
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Episode 4 - Walking on Water (2)
Release Date: 2000-01-31Chappel's efforts to bring down the illicit gambling and prostitution organisation pushes PC Raymond to the brink.
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Episode 5 - Betrayed (1)
Release Date: 2000-02-07The Vice Squad investigates a massage parlour where Eastern European girls are being forced to work as prostitutes after being illegally smuggled into the country. Sgt Robinson's marriage gets emotionally involved with a witness.
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Episode 6 - Betrayed (2)
Release Date: 2000-02-14Desperate to crack the Eastern European sex-slave ring, DI Chappel betrays an old friend, with deadly consequences.
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Episode 7 - Lovesick (1)
Release Date: 2000-02-21The Vice Squad investigates the murder of a pimp. Sgt Robinson comes under suspicion for the murder. DI Chappel begins a relationship with the victim's mother.
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Episode 8 - Lovesick (2)
Release Date: 2000-02-28DI Chappel has to sacrifice his new relationship to save Sgt Robinson from the murder accusation.