Every good series has a goto episode, the one, if you had any friends, that you would recommend. This is that episode.
The first 4 series of Jonathan Creek are exceptional. Brilliantly conceived, brilliantly acted, funny and thoughtful. So the best of that bunch would have to be the cream and it is. Released as a Christmas special in 1998 it sits between series 2 and series 3.
It should also be said if you were looking for the best piece of work Rik Mayall ever did then this is right up there with anything he did with Ade Edmondson, who Ironically turns up as a side character in a couple of series time.
So why is it good? Where do I start, the plot is superb, the Police / amateur detective interplay is just brilliant.
For once we get a cop who is almost, almost as sharp as Jonathan. There is that Indiana Jones feeling with Inspector Gideon Pryke, he would have got there with or without Jonathan.
The Creek specials like this one are mostly excellent. Satan's chimney is almost perfect too.
The problem with brilliant series that end too soon is that there is always a clamouring for more. The problem here is they relented and series 5 and those specials (2013 onwards) are mostly a very poor imitation, they are not rubbish, anyone who says they are is being silly, it's just that they are nowhere near the quality of writing that got us to the end of series 4 a decade earlier.
I would always start with series 01 episode 01 and go through to the end of series 4 and make your mind up whether you wish to continue. But as a one-off The Black Canary is peerless.