And so we come to the last episode of City Of Vice, the series that follows brothers Henry and John Fielding in Georgian London, as they create the city’s first-ever police force. Georgian London, as we’ve seen in previous history series, is full of grime, extreme poverty, contrasting and fabulous wealth, vice and low morals. Men wore wigs and women wore dresses that pushed up their bangers like no one’s business. It looked like a crazy time.

The promise was an ‘extraordinary historical drama series’ and, on the whole, Channel 4 was right – it was an excellent exposé of what life might have been like at the time, and there was some dramatic stories told in the series. However, Channel 4 pulled a surprise in last night’s series finalé episode – it went all the way back to the beginning, before episode one was set, to explain how the Bow Street Runners was formed. A prequel, if you will.

The start of the finale boasted a long voiceover – Henry describing how London was being overrun by cutthroat gangs over footage of, erm, a cuttroat gang robbing someone. He introduces us to Saunders Welch who, as a constable, is fighting almost a one-man war against these violent ruffians. It seems traditional thief-takers just aren’t able to police the land. That’s where Henry and his brother John come in. It was time for action, that much was clear.

They want to create a police force – a totally alien concept in bawdy, scummy and anarchic Georgian London. To do so they need patronage, so they seek sponsorship from brother of the Prime Minister himself, Lord Newcastle (a man so odious and purse-lipped it looks as though he’s constantly sucking lemons).

Lord Newcastle, courted in a pub, seemed ambivalent to the idea and suggested they continue their discussions at a high-class brothel. Keen to make the deal, Henry and John accompanied him, and were shocked to find an opulent, lavish den of sauce and saucery. Its madam, Jane Fawkland, was a wily woman, complete with heaving cleavage and a very naughty look in her eye. During their tour (John was visibly uncomfortable) they met an array of prostitutes, sorted into different themed ‘temples’.

On their return home, they realised they had to keep Lord Newcastle onside. Later that night, Henry was woken by one of the prostitutes they met earlier. Suki was soaking wet, and pleaded with Henry to investigate the brothel – her very young sister was, she was convinced, being kept there as a sex worker, and, worryingly, she accused her employer of keeping other children there for sale.

The conversation was cut short when Fawkland steamed in and demanded her employee to come with her. Henry couldn’t do anything but let her go, and Fawkland left a nice little parting shot – start sticking your nose in and I’ll have a word with your potential sponsor. Wink, wink.

Henry’s resolve was stiffened. Against the wishes of John, he went to the brothel and had a quiet word with Fawkland, telling her that, as a sick old man, the charms of a young child would surely cure him. Fawkland was only too pleased to show him the secret third ‘temple’, where a row of confused young girls awaited him. He – as well this this viewer – was greatly disturbed by the sight.

He was determined to do something about it. But the problem remained – how do you bring down a brothel and its madam when she is in cahoots with your key sponsor? Chivvied along by John, Henry decided to go the clever route.

First, he asked Welch to round-up a few of his chums (we said hello to Carn again) and stage a mock robbery on Newcastle to show him exactly why the streets needed policing. Then Henry had a word with a high-couture milliner who Fawkland owed money. When the milliner confirmed that she was owed him money, he could sit back, call in the debt people and make sure any correspondence she tried to send from the debtors’ prison was, ahem, intercepted.

The plans were a total success. Newcastle was horrified at his attack, and granted the Fieldings the money to get their police force up and running, and Fawkland was severely wrapped on the knuckles. Suki’s sister was freed from the brothel.

Another good episode, with some very choice language, some high sauce and another intriguing plot. I just wondered what the value of making a prequel was. The series had built up steadily into something really good, but the chronology was totally thrown out of the window. Didn’t really matter too much, I suppose, because it was another good ep. It did make me wonder though.

So we say farewell to the Fieldings and the assorted f***sters they deal with. I’ve grown to like them a lot, and I’ve really enjoyed the grimy settings and some of the dialogue. Henry (played very, very well by the Emporer Ian McDiarmid) was a rare old, port-soaked character. In real life, Henry Fielding died in Lisbon the year after this series was set (1754), looking for a cure for his gout and other maladies. I hope this chronology (something the makers can’t really muck about with) doesn’t mean there won’t be a second series. It had mellowed on the voiceovers and was really starting to hit its stride.

Episode 1 review here.
Episode 2 review here.
Episode 3 review here.
Episode 4 review, you guessed it, here.