The Professionals Episode Reviews – DVD set one



reviewed June-July 2003

Mavis:
Each time I watch this episode I'm sure that the registration number of Cowley's car starts with "MOO". Am I imagining it? I'm not sure, I can only watch DVDs on my PC and can't enlarge the scene enough to be sure.

Lesley:
I think (she says peering at it) it's MOO 229R

Sue & Carol:
Another joint review by Sue and Carol;

This is the episode that shows Doyle's caring about the innocents; the policeman when the forensics man says it was lucky he had a rare blood group because it helps identify the car - "lucky?!" and the golfer, "nobody's nobody!". I also like Doyle spotting the policeman's number without even appearing to.

Both Cowley and Doyle defer to Bodie's greater knowledge of rifles.

I want to say at this point, that Bodie's clothes are dreadful - again! And this time, Carol concurs :) Unfortunately they have dated.

We both very much like Doyle's controlled violence with his Greek friend and the casual tossing around of his valuable plate. "That's Limoges, that is."

It's interesting to note that Bodie warns Doyle that Cowley wants Tommy alive. This would usually be reversed in later episodes. Does Doyle need warning against over enthusiasm because it is a cop killer they are after?

The exchange between Bodie and Doyle regarding Betty is amusing. Bodie attempting to convince Doyle he has scored with Betty, whereas we know that isn't true <g> Doyle says to Betty in relation to sleep, "grab it while you can." This could apply to other things as well ... After all we think Betty is eyeing up Doyle's manly torso when he is shaving - or was that just us?

Carol takes severe issue with this episode in terms of height of the building and the angle of the shot. They aren't nearly high enough to see Centre Court let alone the Royal Box. And I agree that this so-called professional hit man couldn't possibly know that this apartment would give him the sight he needed to make the shot. He's also relied upon the amateurs to find him the flat in the first place. At least we hope they scouted around for somewhere suitable although the episode does make it look as if they almost picked somewhere at random and hoped for the best.

Cowley has exceptional eyesight in being able to see the rifle from his point on the ground. Especially when Bodie from above can't see it! Cowley also can see round corners when he notices movement in the flat and halts Bodie's descent. Of course the shoot out at the end is worth the whole episode. Bodie's style of apology is very typical.

Overall, do we like it? Yes, we do! If you can ignore certain technical issues and just enjoy the relationship between the three main characters then you have a good episode. Bodie and Doyle are more comfortable with each other and have trust in each other as shown in the casual throwing around of the plate. Doyle knows Bodie will catch it and will follow his lead in dealing with Tarkos. And of course, the, at this stage, obligatory cheesey ending :)

Dinah:
How topical. The Wimbledon ep. I love Bodie's almost religious reverence for important sporting occasions. "We can't stop Wimbledon on a hunch!" comes out far more horrified than he ever sounds about routinely killing people.

The exchange between Bodie and Doyle regarding Betty is amusing. Bodie attempting to convince Doyle he has scored with Betty, whereas we know that isn't true

Oh ye of little faith. Of course he's had her! Or at least has a date arranged or something. One of my favourite scenes of all time – Bodie showering and drinking beer with a towel round his neck and that delicious twinkle in his eye while Doyle slaves away at the desk. Mmm ;-)

Carol takes severe issue with this episode in terms of height of the building and the angle of the shot. They aren't nearly high enough to see Centre Court let alone the Royal Box. And I agree that this so-called professional hit man couldn't possibly know that this apartment would give him the sight he needed to make the shot.

The fact that it was in Watford might have caused him some apprehension <g>. One shot on one man from Watford to Wimbledon ... that's some rifle!

It's a piece of perfect, prize Pros, this ep and I love it. Doyle smashing plates is my favourite ever Doyle moment. If it wasn't for the towel and the Betty comments, I'd be hovering on the fence in this one.

Lesley:
I always remember this episode because of Doyle's response to Bodie's anger after the shooting and that wobble in his voice when he shouted back...!!

Birgit:
One of my fav moments in this one is the tiny lop-sided smile and nod Doyle displays when Bodie says "all my Greek friends are girls" while they're in the car. It's one of those "knowing" smiles - he's apparently heard it all before, over and over...

And there's also a wonderful Cowley moment: when the lads have finished killing all the baddies, Cowley stands outside the building block and complains "Will somebody say something!" I like that petulant note in his voice - he does NOT enjoy being left in the dark, and he's worried about his lads. I've never understood, though, why he raises that puny little gun of his - firstly, how does he *know* the baddies have heard something, and secondly - what did he intend to do with that revolver from his position and angle?? I assume it's just a gesture to calm down his own fear.

Oh, and that little exchange between Georgi and the girl ("it wasn't a she, it was a he") is just lovely - but does his rejection really justify THAT dress and headscarf, my dear?

Lesley:
I like that one too!

And there's also a wonderful Cowley moment: when the lads have finished killing all the baddies, Cowley stands outside the building block and complains "Will somebody say something!" I like that petulant note in his voice - he does NOT enjoy being left in the dark, and he's worried about his lads.

Carol:
How topical. The Wimbledon ep. I love Bodie's almost religious reverence for important sporting occasions. "We can't stop Wimbledon on a hunch!" comes out far more horrified than he ever sounds about routinely killing people.

Oh, how right you are <G> And how times have changed; that's probably exactly what they'd do now.

Oh ye of little faith. Of course he's had her! Or at least has a date arranged or something. One of my favourite scenes of all time – Bodie showering and drinking beer with a towel round his neck and that delicious twinkle in his eye while Doyle slaves away at the desk. Mmm ;-)

tee hee. We're not going to agree on this one. Betty is only playing with Bodie, if so - she's positively lusting after Doyle while he's shaving.

The fact that it was in Watford might have caused him some apprehension <g>. >One shot on one man from Watford to Wimbledon ... that's some rifle!

ROFL! Is it really? See, Sue, I knew I was right all along to be suspicious of that one.

It's a piece of perfect, prize Pros, this ep and I love it. Doyle smashing plates is my favourite ever Doyle moment. If it wasn't for the towel and the Betty comments, I'd be hovering on the fence in this one.

Go on, teeter a little. You'll enjoy it over here.. <G>

Linda:
This is a nice solid ep. I like the banter between B and D and the way that they seem to be more comfortable with each other. Bodie saying "Knock it off, Ray" when Ray is yelling at the police officer when the golfer is killed is a good example of this. Although Ray does wake Bodie up with a nasty kick to the sofa that seems to indicate that they aren't quite ready to pick out curtains yet <g>.

I disagree with those who think Bodie and/or his clothes don't look good in this ep. I love the way he looks in his suit coat. He's totally cute eating the kebab as Ray tosses plates. Ray shows a lot of skin, Bodie wraps up like a mummy - life is unfair. Despite excessive clothing, Bodie is looking good enough to make a date while on duty. I like the girl too, she's sort of a female version of Bodie. It's fun watching her check him out while he's checking her out. I bet they had fun! And I do think that Bodie's had some sort of thing with Betty, how could Betty resist?

Random thoughts: When Ray says, "Cop killers are for cops to find" what is he getting at? In the US the unspoken meaning would be that cop killers are for cops to find so that the suspect can be shot while resisting arrest. Swift justice as it were.

Things that bug me: The scale of the drawing is crap. Why is it possibly a 10 story building in the drawing when drawn as four or five? Everyone gets uptight over Tommy buying Greek food and Georgie says something about keeping a low profile. Fine, but how low of a profile is going out and shooting golfers for target practice? Cowley with the handgun acting as if he had a chance of hitting Georgie up on the top balcony. Accurate range of his gun was probably 50 feet max.

Cowley is sort nasty in this ep. Such as when he says, "Put some tall lads in front of the Royal Box." As human shields? Yikes! Interesting how in Cowley's mind an afternoon watching tennis is considered to be worth a few lives. He also threatens to break Bodie's arms! Once again, not exactly the father figure some people paint him as.

Drinking? I didn't see either B or D drink.

Somewhat off topic, but what is the Watford Gap?

Carol:
Although Ray does wake Bodie up with a nasty kick to the sofa that seems to indicate that they aren't quite ready to pick out curtains yet .

I'm sure I don't know *what* you mean, Linda <g>

I disagree with those who think Bodie and/or his clothes don't look good in this ep. I love the way he looks in his suit coat. He's totally cute eating the kebab as Ray tosses plates.

I'd always say Bodie was cute. The clothes seem more dated, somehow. (My Dad had a jacket exactly like Bodie's. Lew did more for it.)

And I do think that Bodie's had some sort of thing with Betty, how could Betty resist?

As a fencesitter, I'll decline to answer that one. Sue might, though <g>

Random thoughts: When Ray says, "Cop killers are for cops to find" what is he getting at? In the US the unspoken meaning would be that cop killers are for cops to find so that the suspect can be shot while resisting arrest. Swift justice as it were.

Not sure that's how I'd interpret it, not least because our cops aren't armed. It's a bit out of character for Doyle, to seem uninterested in following it up, but he makes up for it during the investigation.

Somewhat off topic, but what is the Watford Gap?

This seems to provide the answer I was looking for, even if provided in a slightly odd fashion <g>

Maxine:
Linda, I had the advantage of reading your post before I finally got around to re-watching the episode. At the risk of pigeon-holing myself as being extraordinarily aware of drinking, I think Bodie had a beer when he came into the room after his shower. Although the can was never completely visible, whatever he was drinking sounded and looked like a beer.

Bobby:
Hi here are my random thoughts on this episode.

I like this episode even if it has got a few cracks plot and technically wise, most of which have already been covered, however a couple of things that have always bothered me are would the buying of Greek food really have been such a giveaway, who was the food for on the trolley in the plate breaking scene, and since when has there been a J in transistor radio? I will admit to being a bit biased but I really like Doyle in this one waking up in that green shirt.
I agree Bodie and Doyle seem more comfortable with one another in this episode and there are some good banter scenes the mobile ghetto quip and the sharing of the secretary dialogue.
There are several different sides to both characters shown throughout , but Doyle worrying about hitting Bodie and Bodies response is priceless TV. Shame the end of the episode didn't come at that point!!!
Rushing back to lurkdom

Jo
First of all, I've got to say, this one doesn't have the most engaging crims ever; they just leave me cold. That said, at least the basic plot is fairly easy to follow <g>

One thing I really like about this episode is how often B&D revert to type. For example, when the car is first found and the forensic man is showing them his sketches of the hidden compartment, Bodie the ballistics man comes to the fore, showing off his knowledge of weaponry. Later, as they investigate the first shooting (of the scarecrow) while Bodie is bickering with the witness, the ex-cop Doyle is sniffing around in search of clues. Their previous roles are very well defined, and they live up to them.

Love the conversation in the car on their way to see Tarkos, and the entire scene in the restaurant which has been much commented on already. <g> Bodie snaffling the food while Doyle intimidates his old 'friend' via plate power. Wonderful stuff.

Note how when they chase Tommy, Doyle sees the gun first and shoves Bodie over and out of the way. Bodie returns the favour by divesting Doyle of his gun and then presenting himself as a diversionary target. And poor Tommy is so easily browbeaten by Cowley.

I love Cowley's speech when briefing his men - he explains in detail what forensics have extrapolated about the sniper from the sketch of the gun, then rips it to bits. Not a man to place much faith in these things.

I also love the irritation of the forensic man as B&D disturb him at work in Tommy's place.

and ooh look, there's the ever-efficient Betty. <g>

Shooting the golfer is just nasty. These crims deserve everything that comes to them. Doyle reacts badly, but he's been tetchy ever since Cowley needled him about the original cop killing that started the whole investigation. But Bodie, of course, knows how and when to defuse him. At least temporarily.

Had to feel sorry for the family that got taken hostage. Probably be mentally scarred for life.

Gotta love Georgi taking the wind out of the girl terrorist's sails. 'She was a boy'. That told her. Love the look on her face, trying to decide if he's serious or not. But her fall after being hit by the taxi is horribly over-dramatic.

Bodie's dressing gown and towel are just not appealing. Sorry, BBs. On the other hand, and not to be shallow or anything, Doyle looks consistently fabulous throughout.

Betty's little chat with Doyle on bringing morning coffee and while he shaves is lovely; love her fond little smile on seeing the two of them asleep: Bodie lounged on the couch, Doyle rather more uncomfortably at the desk. Note how alert Doyle is, though, easy to wake up (or possibly just too uncomfortable). It's very telling how Cowley snipes that they should be home and off-duty, but doesn't seem surprised that they aren't. And Doyle really does have a great eye for numbers.

Bodie really does sound aghast at the thought of stopping play at Wimbledon. And Cowley is very flippant about putting a 'couple of tall lads' in front of the royal box. Maybe because he's not very tall himself.

The scenes where Georgi is sighting in on centre court are quite chilling, seeing the sights settling on so many people. It works well as a TV device. But he picks a chair to sight on very early – how does he know that's the exact chair his target will sit in? He gets a clear shot long before the lads are in position to stop him. Lucky he decides to take his time.

Doyle can be like a terrier when he gets worked up over something. just worries and worries at it until he's got an answer. Bodie's face when he smashes the window of the rangerover on a hunch is priceless. But the hunch pays off, for all his teasing.

Cowley can be fantastic. 'Bodie, you move before I give the go and I'll personally break both your arms'. Now there's a scuffle I'd pay to see. <g>

Doyle might be worried about hitting Bodie at the end, but I think he's also angry because he had to kill two people, which never sits well with him. And, as I noted earlier, he's been tetchy all through the case.

I've always presumed that Cowley meant that CI5 won Wimbledon, by preventing the assassination.

Could have done without the cheesy ending, though.

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