An American gas rig is hijacked on Alan Cade's first day, but will his choice of negotiator pay off?

A hospital lab tech implicates a local councillor in illegal practices. When he believes his accusations are being ignored, he dramatically breaks through the cordons during a royal visit to a school concert.

Cade allows an informant to orchestrate a drug deal while investigating a smuggling ring, only to find it led to his death.

When Cade is threatened with an investigation over the death of the informer, his team closes ranks. The Home Office, preferring to have a hold on its maverick chief constable, decides not to act.

Cade is the subject of public outrage after two terrorist bomb blasts, and, as if that were not enough, his girlfriend leaves him.

Davies discovers that a bogus doctor has been using NHS equipment to carry out his private business. Cade has to organise a massive security operation to protect a royal visitor.

Stewart is disillusioned and frustrated when she fails to win the promotion for which she has been fighting.