Z-Cars: Series 3
Season 3 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Z-Cars Season 2.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 3 Progress Shield
Lucky Accident
Sep 4, 1963 · 50 min
An attempted burglary and a hit-and-run accident - PC Lynch sees the connection first. Proving it is a job for the whole of Victor Division.
Made For Each Other
Sep 11, 1963 · 50 min
Two arrests, two court cases - and also two people, in one of whom Fancy Smith takes a personal interest.
A La Carte
Sep 18, 1963 · 50 min
Chief Inspector Barlow is known locally as something of a gourmet, but not even the chef believes that he is interested only in food.
Light The Blue Paper
Sep 26, 1963 · 50 min
The bang is loud in the night. The conspiracy of silence which follows is more sinister. When an explosion destroys Bill Webster's betting shop CID runs up against a blank wall.
A Quiet Night
Oct 2, 1963 · 50 min
PCs Lynch and Graham find that a quiet night can be just as busy as any other, but for some of the people they encounter it is also a night of tragedy.
Hit And Run
Oct 9, 1963 · 50 min
A slight collision between two cars, a bad-tempered blow, and a young man finds himself involved in serious trouble - both for himself and for those close to him.
Hide - And Go Seek
Oct 16, 1963 · 50 min
A young rookie constable cannot hold his liquor. In his cups he reveals the whereabouts of a 'safe house' holding a vital witness, with disastrous consequences.
The Kiter
Oct 23, 1963 · 50 min
An outbreak of thefts from offertory boxes, a flood of dud cheques - and Victor Division's crime figures begin to soar. Barlow and Watt try to identify a petty criminal with an in
Special Duty
Oct 30, 1963 · 50 min
Lynch and Graham investigate a domestic tragedy. And for Barlow there's the urgent problem of saving a man's life.
Remembrance Of A Guest
Nov 6, 1963 · 50 min
Complaints about a fast-moving, fast-talking door-to-door salesman give Weir and Smith a busy day, while Sgt. Watt prepares the trap.
Daylight Robbery
Nov 13, 1963 · 50 min
When a Newtown pillar box begins to belch smoke Graham's first reaction is that someone has been posting red hot love letters. But by the time thirteen pillar boxes have been burn
Running Milligan
Nov 20, 1963 · 50 min
Freddy Milligan is servinga prison sentence for robbery with violence. With six weeks of his sentence to run, he is given compassionate parole to attend his wife's funeral. He fai
Choose Your Partners
Nov 27, 1963 · 50 min
A report of breaking and entering at Mallory Hall and soon Lord Tenterden's home is swarming with policemen from the ACC right down to Fancy Smith. The thieves have taken somethin
Tuesday Afternoon
Dec 4, 1963 · 50 min
A case of shoplifting, the disappearance of 3,000 bricks and some unbuilt houses give Barlow and the boys in Z-Victor One a busy day.
Supper In The Morning
Dec 11, 1963 · 50 min
Dave Graham is used to sorting out the problems of other people, but only as a policeman. He finds it much more difficult to cope with a crisis in his own home.
Wait For It
Dec 18, 1963 · 50 min
Some crimes are solved by logic. Barlow finds one but Smith and Weir look like upsetting him in their persistent search for a stolen purse.
It Never Rains ...
Dec 25, 1963 · 50 min
On Christmas Eve Lynch and Graham are as full of goodwill to all men as any police officers can be - with a garage robbery to deal with and other people's celebrations getting in t
.. And A Happy New Year
Jan 1, 1964 · 50 min
The revelry of New Year's Eve has its normal problems for the Newtown police and its special opportunities for a lone marauder in the streets. Sgt. Blackitt, leaving PC Sweet on t
Happy-Go-Lucky
Jan 8, 1964 · 50 min
When a happy-go-lucky thief refuses to confess to a simple breaking and entering job Barlow continues enquiries. This starts an avalanche of evidence and soon Barlow fears that ev
Promise Made
Jan 15, 1964 · 50 min
It can't possibly be blackmail - the old lady seems much too innocent and can have nothing to hide. But Lynch and Graham are sure that something has happened and Barlow decides to
I Mean...Where Does It Stop?
Jan 22, 1964 · 50 min
Weir finds that being a policeman doesn't stop when he goes off duty, particularly as his girl friend Sally has shady connections.
A Stroll Along The Sands
Jan 29, 1964 · 50 min
A chance encounter is soon forgotten by Lynch and Graham. But remembering a face becomes vital when Barlow orders a search for missing money - and a missing man.
No Malice
Feb 5, 1964 · 50 min
Barlow loses a case against a known criminal. He believes the man is guilty but he is ordered to re-investigate the crime and finds a problem he doesn't want to face.
Profit By Their Example
Feb 12, 1964 · 50 min
A mysterious meeting at a sports pavilion attracts the attention of Z-Victor Two. John Watt investigates. When a sharp warning to a friend is unheeded Watt finds himself at the c
A Question Of Storage
Feb 19, 1964 · 50 min
Barlow's attendance at a police conference starts a spring cleaning at Newtown station. But the arrest of an elderly drunk by Smith and Weir upsets the efficiency drive.
Fun And Games
Feb 26, 1964 · 50 min
When a seemingly harmless practical joke goes wrong and leads to a disturbance Lynch finds himself involved in a very personal problem.
A Man...Like Yourself
Mar 4, 1964 · 50 min
When a young offender escapes from custody he is seen hiding on a roof and DC Hicks is detailed to bring him down.
A Straight Deal
Mar 11, 1964 · 50 min
When Josh Tansfield tries to make a deal with the police John Watt is worried - but Barlow gets the best of a good bargain.
Happy Families
Mar 18, 1964 · 50 min
A mother finds her schoolboy son in possession of pornographic photographs. Then the lad goes missing and Smith and weir have the job of finding him. Meantime Barlow tracks down
Inside Job
Mar 25, 1964 · 50 min
A mail van raid - a quick getaway - and no description of the raiders. When an easy arrest is made Barlow finds a new angle on the 'inside job'.
Clues Are What You Think
Apr 1, 1964 · 50 min
The search area is wide and time is short - for Barlow is in charge of a murder enquiry for the first time. He places his faith in two seemingly harmless questions.
The Whole Truth...
Apr 8, 1964 · 50 min
'Punchy' Palmer is not too bright. When he tries to help Newtown police it isn't easy to know what is truth and what is daydreams. In this guesswork lies the answer to a series o
Whistle, And Come Home
Apr 22, 1964 · 50 min
Two children are the only witnesses of a robbery. It seems that the men concerned will get away with it - until Barlow takes over.
First-Class Citizen
Apr 29, 1964 · 50 min
Old Eli Mosscrop was once the best spiderman in the north. Now no-one will employ him. When he tries to show his skill he makes a problem for John Watt, who has no head for heigh
Seconds Away
May 6, 1964 · 50 min
It is a routine job - a break-in at a jeweller's shop. But Barlow believes the owner is in danger.
Centre Of Disturbance
May 13, 1964 · 50 min
A brutal mid-afternoon shooting in the middle of a shopping area leaves a store full of people dumbfounded and the Newtown police force shaking its head in disbelief.
You Get All Kinds
May 20, 1964 · 50 min
A baby is taken from a pram near a bingo hall. Graham and Lynch are involved in a long search.
Happy Birthday
May 27, 1964 · 50 min
A wrist-watch and a camera. Not unusual gifts for a twenty-first birthday, but they make a busy Saturday for Smith and Weir and upset a wedding.
Somebody ... Help
Jun 3, 1964 · 50 min
Frank Wood is a homosexual, unable to go to the police when a man sets out to blackmail him. If he does go to the police he faces trial, possible conviction, even prison, not to m
Cage Until Tame
Jun 10, 1964 · 50 min
Arty Timmins is out of jail. Chief Supt. Robins put him away when he was an Inspector and Sgt. Blackitt was a constable. With Barlow away on a course Robins makes it his personal
Family Reunion
Jun 17, 1964 · 50 min
When Danny Sullivan, boisterous and irresponsible, returns to Newtown Z-Victor Two is alerted. When he goes into the used car business there is trouble.
A Place Of Safety
Jun 24, 1964 · 50 min
Smith and Weir are called to a disturbance in a tenement block. An unemployed black man has attacked a bailiff with an axe, then barricaded himself in his flat with his wife and c