Heartbeat

The police leap into action after a labourer is discovered dead from strychnine poisoning, convinced that a killer is at large and launching an urgent investigation. Simultaneously, members of the Rotary Club’s pensioner group travel to Whitby for a separate outing.

Dirty Len is a television programme presented as a single episode. Classified under the genre of an episode, the show follows a concise narrative structure typical of its format. Though brief in description, the title and format indicate a focused storyline that unfolds within its runtime, offering viewers a snapshot of events centred around a specific incident. The plot kicks off when a labourer is found dead, the cause identified as strychnine poisoning. The discovery prompts the local police force to spring into action, operating under the assumption that a murderer may be at large. Their investigation is driven by the urgency to locate the perpetrator responsible for the lethal toxin, setting the tone for a swift law‑enforcement response. In parallel, the episode follows a group of Rotary Club pensioners as they make their way to Whitby. Their journey provides a contrasting storyline to the police investigation, highlighting a more leisurely pursuit. The juxtaposition of the two threads—one centred on a potential homicide and the other on retirees travelling—adds a layer of narrative balance within the episode. Together, these intertwined strands drive the episode forward, with the police's urgent hunt for the poisoner intersecting the retirees' calm trek to the coastal town. The contrast between tension and tranquility underscores the episode's pacing, delivering a compact yet varied viewing experience.