Softly Softly Task Force
Season 1
Softly, Softly: Task Force is a police based drama series which ran on BBC 1 from 1969 to 1976. It was a revamp of Softly, Softly, itself a spin-off from Z-Cars. The change was made partly to coincide with the coming of colour broadcasting to the BBC's main channel BBC1. The programme was due to be called simply Task Force, but reluctant to sacrifice a much-loved brand the BBC compromised this so it became Softly, Softly: Task Force.
Where to Watch Season 1
16 Episodes
- Exercise
E2ExerciseDetective Chief Superitendent Barlow is in for a surprise as Chief Constable Cullen has some considerable staff changes in mind for Thamesford CID. Cullen wants to provide Charlie Barlow with the best team to assist him in setting up a highly efficient task force. However, soon the stabbing of a woman takes priority over personnel matters at Thamesford CID. - Diversion
E3DiversionWhile the task force officers are busy investigating a series of break-ins, an armed hold-up at a timber warehouse requires immediate attention and quick action. Will Thamesford CID be able to catch the robbers and still have time to deal with the burglaries? It's up to Detective Inspector Harry Hawkins and his fellow officers to prove to their superiors how efficient the task force team can work. - The Spoilt Ones
E4The Spoilt OnesA series of petty thefts and burglaries leads to an undercover operation. On undercover assignment in a deprived area of Thamesford, WP/DC Betty Donald, disguised as a common housewife, comes across a pair of children who are being neglected and abused by their parents. Will the CID team be able to solve the burglary case and save little Molly and her brother from receiving yet another severe beating? - To Protect the Innocent...
E5To Protect the Innocent...It's Christmas time, and Chief Constable Cullen has a special gift for Chief Superintendent Charlie Barlow who finds himself representing Thamesford CID at Her Majesty's prison in Kingsley. Barlow feels highly uncomfortable with this task, and his discomfort gets worse when the visit at Kingsley prison leads to a pub raid and a case of child abuse. Against better judgment Charlie Barlow decides to do what he can to save the baby. After all, it is Christmas. - Any Other Night
E6Any Other NightIt's New Year's Eve, the last day of 1969. While Chief Constable Cullen desperately tries to get all four division chiefs of Thamesford Constabulary to bury their hatchets and make them get along with each other despite their animosity, a van load of tires worth several hundred pounds is stolen from the police compound. It's back to duty for the partying CID task force team. Their task - join efforts, catch the culprits and solve their last crime case in 1969. - The Aggro Boy
E7The Aggro BoyTask Force has been requested to assist with crowd control on the night of an important soccer match. While Superintendent John Watt and Detective Inspector Harry Hawkins are coordinating the operation, a young hooligan is planning to have himself a ball - by drowning his aggression in blood and violence. Soon Charlie Barlow and John Watt find themselves in a desperate race against time when the hunter suddenly becomes the prey. - Standing Orders
E8Standing OrdersWhile on the lookout for an escaped prisoner, PC Snow gets involved in a strike at a local factory. As the strike becomes more aggressive, task force members move in and try to de-escalate. Soon DI Harry Hawkins finds trouble heading his way when he inadvertently steps on the toes of a contractor who doesn't appreciate that Hawkins insists to act in accordance with the law. - Open and Shut
E10Open and ShutA case of domestic disturbance turns into murder, and Chief Superintendent Barlow thinks he has an open-and-shut case on his hands. But soon Barlow has to admit to himself that he has been wrong, and it takes all his and the CID team's skills to solve this puzzling case. - Sprats and MackeralsE11
Sprats and MackeralsA rumor causes Thamesford task force to investigate at Eastcote docks where someone allegedly brings illegal immigrants into the country. WP/DC Betty Donald goes undercover, posing as a juvenile delinquent, while Sergeant Jackson receives an undercover assignment at a nearby camping site. Soon the investigation turns into a run against time when a bunch of abandoned illegal immigrants need to be located before they end up dead. - Like Any Other Friday...
E12Like Any Other Friday...The Thursday Man, a notorious burglar, has kept Thamesford task force busy for quite some time. But the team is hard on his trail when he strikes again at the home of a former war hero. While investigating the latest burglary, the detectives uncover another secret that involves stolen handguns and could lead to another, more serious crime. And Chief Superintendent Charlie Barlow is in for a surprise as well. - Trust a Woman
E14Trust a WomanWhile investigating the case of a missing Swedish au pair, WP/DC Betty Donald comes across some information about local criminal Christopher Connor who seems to be plotting a crime. As it turns out, Connor and three accomplices plan to rob a jeweler's store. But Superintendent Watt doesn't trust Betty Donald's informer and smells a rat. - Escort
E16EscortA senator from the United States is about to visit Oldcote Parish Church, and it's a Task Force job to see that he is protected and nothing untoward is going to happen. It's a job that is not to be taken lightly because the senator has been receiving threats for quite some time. Someone seems to be out to kill him. Preparations are made and safety precautions are taken but ultimately Thamesford CID must accept the fact that there is no such thing as fool-proof security.
