Sam discovers that many of his colleagues are taking bribes from a local gangster, and is determined to put a stop to it, but DCI Hunt seems unwilling to help. Sam tracks down his mother, who has money troubles.
Sam says to Marc Bolan "Look, drive carefully, ok, especially in Minis." Marc Bolan was the lead singer and songwriter for the 1970s glam rock band T. Rex. He was killed just before his 30th birthday on September 16 1977, when his girlfriend Gloria lost control of her purple Mini and collided with a tree on their way home. Ironically Bolan never learned to drive, as he always feared he would die in a car accident.1
Joannie says "This is delicious, you Galloping Gourmet." The Galloping Gourmet was one of the first popular cooking shows, running from 1968 until the mid-1970s featuring Graham Kerr as the wine-swilling presenter who specialised in high-fat, high-cream, deliciously rich recipes.
Sam tries to get Gene to trade him his Proud Percy in the Grand National for Red Rum. This is a reference to Red Rum's victory in 1973.2
After the Chief Constable receives the pornographic pictures, Gene says "…And he gets a Christmas card from Mary Whitehouse!" Mary Whitehouse was a deeply conservative British moral campaigner for more decency in the press and broadcast media. She founded the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association, now known as mediawatch-uk, who oppose the broadcast of any pornographic, blasphemous or violent content.
