"We always expect trouble."

Professionals DVD set 3



Recapped December 2007

Jo said:


Okay, so this episode is all about triple-think and high stakes game playing, and it's a lot easier to follow the action if you understand that up front and bear it in mind at all times.

Today's case opens on a random street in London, as a man named Andy Drake arrives home by taxi, and is rather dismayed to see that while he was away his house has been reduced to a pile of charred rubble. Welcome home, eh.

Things go from bad to worse as, almost before he has had time to take this in, two agents from Special Branch pop out of hiding and rather coldly explain that the fire happened a week ago, the day after he left from France. Since he'd moved on from his hotel without leaving a forwarding address, no one was able to contact him. Further, an envelope stuffed with random papers was found under the floorboards, and we aren't told what these papers are, but they are enough to see Drake arrested on the spot.

Cowley's house. CI5's Controller is just opening the garage to get the car out, when Bodie's car comes screeching to a halt alongside him and our lads disembark. They inform him that someone called Manson wants him at Fratworth at once, and Cowley groans and grumbles that he'll be there after the security meeting he's about to head for. But Doyle says that no, he's to go now, those are the orders, and Cowley's eyebrows shoot up at the use of the word 'orders'.

"I give the orders around here!" snaps Cowley, as if they might have forgotten that fact.
"Yeah, well this is above your head, sir," Bodie chips in, exchanging uncomfortable side eyes with Doyle. "The very top, actually."
"Got to take you in, sir," Doyle adds.
"You mean you're arresting me?" Cowley sounds amused at the concept.
"Well, we'd rather you looked on it as a friendly escort," Bodie tells him.

For all that they are keeping it light, playing no big deal for all they are worth, the lads are clearly very uncomfortable with this situation. Cowley makes a move for his car, but Doyle puts out a hand to gently but firmly stop him. He's to travel with them in their car. Irritated, he complies.

Titles.

Having delivered Cowley to Fratworth – where he is to be questioned by senior agents named Manton and Tully, although it is a really long time before we hear those names spoken aloud – the lads wonder what they are supposed to do now. Wait for Cowley to come back, Bodie proposes. "What makes you think he's going to come back?" Doyle pessimistically asks. As they drift on out of the building, waving IDs at the man on the door, Bodie is distracted slightly by a random woman flunky he passes, which is a neat little character touch.

Inside, Cowley rants his disbelief that Andy Drake should have been arrested as a double agent, and from this point on, as the layers of plotting accrete, it helps to bear in mind that Cowley has set this whole thing up. He planned all of this very carefully, and is acting his heart out throughout the episode, scheming and plotting for all he's worth. The evidence found at Blake's house is presented to him – transmitter, papers, and codes. "It's undeniable," Manton insists. "You've got to face up to it, George, as we've had to. Andy Drake is the biggest, most treacherous double agent since Philby! And he was your man. You put him in."

Cowley rolls his eyes and runs down a list of the exhaustive screening Drake had, pointing out that he had the same security clearance as the Prime Minister. Tully, unimpressed, says that the evidence suggests Drake has been working for the Chinese for more than 15 years. Cowley frowns and asks about possible Russian involvement – so, so casually planting the seed he now intends to carefully nurture. The evidence links Drake with the Chinese, but it's the Russians that Cowley is laying a trap for.

Russian Embassy. Now we meet a Russian diplomat/spy named Gorky and his underling, who I believe is named Sikor – this episode is very bad at firmly affixing names to the guest characters! From their conversation, we learn that Drake took over from Cowley, who Gorky describes as a 'wily old fox', which is absolutely true, while dismissing said wily fox's current work as little more than thuggery and violence most of the time. He does have a point, but underestimates CI5 at his own peril. Anyway, Gorky decides that he wants Drake. "Not for what he can tell us about the British Secret Service, not just that. But for what he can tell us about our yellow friends."

And thus the bait is taken.

Gorky: "When are you taking your leave?"
Sikor: "Tomorrow… I've cancelled it."
Hee. It's the man's happy face at the thought of his time off, and resignation when he realises what he's really being asked, that's what makes it funny.

Then Gorky smirks at the memory that it was Cowley who put Drake into his current position of responsibility. "I bet he's a worried man," he crows.

Fratworth. Cowley asks to be allowed to see Drake, a request that of course is turned down. "Come on, George. You not only know the rules, you made them," Manton reminds him.

Besides, Drake isn't at Fratworth – Tully explains that Special Branch, over-eager to enhance their reputation, fouled up. It was a straight arrest, which means that Drake is on remand at a local prison. None of them are happy about this, and you'd never know from his reaction here that Cowley carefully orchestrated this important detail, as well. "He's under British law now, and outside of ours," Tully sighs.

Cowley protests that they needed Drake under wraps for a couple of weeks at least. There's something terribly seedy and unseemly about the face of secret service operations being revealed here, considering itself above and beyond normal rules of law, so casual about the notion of squirreling someone away for interrogation. That's half the point of the episode.

Manton agrees with Cowley, but there's no way around it now – the arrest will be in the papers within an hour, and they'll have no chance to interrogate him properly.

"This is a foul up," Cowley grumbles, a quote familiar to everyone in possession of the DVD boxsets, since that line is used repeatedly on the menu. "But I'm here – and under arrest, I presume?"

House arrest, Manton assures him, and they would like him to report in to Fratworth every day. For questioning, Cowley resignedly nods. Just for a little chat, Manton corrects. Cowley irritably guesses that they'll need his passport, too, but it transpires that they already have it.

Tully starts to apologise, but Cowley cuts him off. "I know – I made the rules," he huffs. Manton assures him that it is just a formality, but Cowley scoffs. "Come on, Manton. You know as well as I do that mud sticks – the mud of association. If we could have had Drake alone, kept him under wraps for a week or two…" It isn't to be, Tully blithely observes. "Too bloody right," Cowley snorts. "If Drake isn't delivered properly then I can look forward to remaining mud-splattered for the rest of my life!"

And so the stakes regarding Cowley's career are very clearly laid out for us – but those aren't the stakes he is playing for.

Outside. Cowley makes his way out to find the lads waiting in Bodie's car. He gets in, and they speed away.

"Which one of you got my passport?" Cowley demands to know as they drive. Sitting in back, Doyle sheepishly umms and ahhs that he was the culprit. "You didn't break the desk lock?" Cowley sharply asks, and is hastily assured that no, Doyle found a key.

"That desk's an antique, cost me a fortune," Cowley mutters.
"I was very careful," Doyle defensively insists.
"No, careless, both of you," Cowley snaps, always the Controller. "If it was a passport grab, you knew it was a vital arrest, yet you didn't put the cuffs on me! Damned slack…. I appreciate it, though."

I love this scene, tiny though it is. The body language speaks volumes, the Lads so uncomfortable with the position they have been placed in, and Cowley gratified by their loyalty. It isn't until much later in the episode that it becomes clear just how many strands there are to the game he is running here, and the role the lads are playing in that game. On the one hand, he is ruthlessly exploiting their loyalty while keeping them absolutely in the dark, but on the other he is demonstrating just how much he trusts them by employing their services as fairly major players in his scheme without even partial disclosure. The disclosure issue isn't about trust: it's about security, about need to know.

Cowley's place. "It isn't a bribe, Doyle," Cowley teases an uncomfortable Doyle, handing over a glass of whisky to each of the Lads. Hee. He knows Doyle so well – knows his background, a whistle-blower on police corruption, and how uneasy he therefore will be now. "I'm under house arrest now, on my honour."

"Always thought you had a lot of that, sir," Bodie pipes up, and Cowley thanks him for this support. The reactions of both agents to Cowley's situation are so perfect for each of their personal back-stories. Always a cop at heart, Doyle is supportive and going along with Cowley's orders and instructions, but is also allowing himself his uneasiness because he's worked under corrupt superiors before, and wants – needs – to know more before he feels secure. Bodie, on the other hand, with his military background, is more concerned with demonstrating his unwavering loyalty to his senior officer than in availing himself of all the facts.

So, Doyle is quick to get down to the nitty gritty of the situation, wanting to understand what is going on. He's guessed that it is about Drake, but doesn't know why Cowley is involved, Bodie adding that Cowley left the Service years ago.

"You never leave the Service, Bodie," Cowley corrects. "Not completely, totally. Your mistakes always follow you."

"Is that what Drake was? Your mistake?" Doyle asks. He is such a cop, reserving full judgement until he has all the facts, and probing gently but firmly in search of those facts.

"That's what you're going to help me find out," Cowley announces. The Lads share 'told you so' side eyes of resignation, having suspected that their part in this was not over. This isn't officially a case for them to work, but since they appear to be assigned as Cowley's security escort, they are therefore available for him to make use of as he sees fit.

Garden. Gorky pedeconferences with a senior agent, who I believe is named Ivan – or possibly Ivan? This episode is awful at attaching definitive names to the characters – informing him of the operation he is mounting to spring Drake from prison and into their clutches. Ivan points out that security will be tight, but Gorky smirks that British law is on their side, since Drake is on remand, which will require several court appearances until the case against him is determined. Each court appearance will require transportation to and from, thus providing them with windows of opportunity. Ivan further points out that getting Drake out of the country would be difficult, but Gorky's smirk widens as he observes that since Drake is not their man, they don't have to repatriate him. "I don't need him out of the country – just in my hands, in some quiet place, for as long as it takes. Years, perhaps."

Doesn't sound like Drake has much to look forward to, and his part in this scheme was very carefully orchestrated, a role he agreed to play. He's a brave man, when you think about it.

Gorky adds that there is some urgency to the matter, since whatever Drake knows will be more valuable now – every day that passes erodes that value. Ivan worries about British retaliation, but Gorky grins that any retaliation will be against the Chinese, rather than them. "Drake will be freed by his masters, the Chinese."

Both agents now smirk their delight at this cunning plan. Ivan points out that Gorky will have to lean heavily on "our Number One" for information, but Gorky has already thought of this. Ivan laughs that he will put the suggestion to the committee that night, and a decision will be reached by morning. He adds that the committee will want to be sure that this mysterious Number One is safe, since having a man inside British security is worth more than a dozen Drakes. Gorky assures him that he too knows the value of Number One, and will ensure that nothing can be traced back to him, won't move until the entire plan has been vetted by those more senior than himself.

Remand prison. Manton meets with Drake's solicitor, Miss Ryan, who is entirely unimpressed by his talk of national security. Her sole concern is justice for her client. Good for her.

Manton: "Despite the fact –?"
Miss Ryan: "Despite, Mr Manton."

Ooh, I like her, just for standing her ground so determinedly. Heh, she is exactly the reason all these senior agents are so miffed about not being able to keep Drake out of the official justice system, and she would argue that that is exactly why the official justice system exists and exactly the reason her client needs her protection.

Drake is shown into the room to be questioned, and greets Manton affably enough. Manton reminds him that he doesn't have to answer any questions, and then the interrogation begins. Manton asks about Drake's holiday in France, which Miss Ryan snaps is irrelevant, but Drake is willing enough to talk – the holiday was about recuperating from recent surgery, which involved having a steel pin inserted in his elbow. Remember that, it will be important later. Manton sternly queries all the moving around that took place once Drake was in France, and Miss Ryan again tries to intervene, but Drake casually brushes it off. I love that although Manton is the one doing the questioning, he is sitting down while Drake remains standing, which in terms of body language gives Drake the advantage – he certainly gives every impression of nonchalance, despite his predicament. Manton huffs about procedure, and Drake laughs that he was on holiday. Then Drake sits down and becomes serious. "Let me ask you a question. George Cowley – how's he taking it?"

Cowley's place. Cowley sips at a measure of whisky while peering out through drawn curtains, quiet and contemplative. He crosses to his desk, pulls out a photo album, and browses through some old snaps of himself and Drake. Evidence of how far back they go, I suppose, and of what good friends they are. Very posed shots, though, and badly staged – personal photo albums and snapshots tend to be so much more random than that.

Bodie's place. Ohohohohohoh. Dress up! Awesome! In police constable's uniform, Bodie opens the door to Doyle, similarly dressed.

Doyle: "'Allo 'allo 'allo."
Bodie: "Evenin' all. Hey listen – how'd you ever do anything in these outfits?"
Doyle: "You'd be surprised, mate."

Heehee. Oh and Doyle laughing his head off at the sight of Bodie in a police hat cracks me up every single time. And telling him to synchronise his watch in case someone wants to ask him the time. It's a tiny scene, only a few seconds long, but worth the entrance fee alone!

Cowley's place. The Minister pays Cowley a visit, and there's a bit of amiable small talk before getting down to business. "You're jocular for a man whose career may be a whisper away from ruin," the Minister notes.

Oh, he really is, and it's a clue, and he has a lot of reasons for it – he gets such a buzz from living right on the edge, and we've seen that plenty of times.

"If it happens, it won't be a whisper, but a shout from the headlines on all the rooftops," Cowley agrees, with an air of grim satisfaction.

The Minister expresses his surprise at this turn of affairs, having always regarded Andy Drake as nothing more than a bureaucrat – a good man, but nothing like Cowley, for instance. No fire, he muses. "I never thought he had it in him."

"It's in everyone, Minister. Just needs the right key to unlock it," Cowley philosophises, whereupon the Minister comes right out and admits that he's worried about Cowley because of 'this business', and hopes he's taking the right precautions. Cowley laughs. "Och, you sound like a wee lassie behind the pub on a Saturday night!" he jokes. Hee. I like jocular and adrenaline-high Cowley! "It's my neck on the line," he admits. "And, though I despise myself for it, the tension, the gamble, the chance to…. As I said, Minister. It's in everyone. A bit of a tearaway in everyone."

This scene is a wonderful insight into Cowley's mind. He's relaxed and as open and honest as we ever see him, in the company of a peer, a friend, someone he trusts. He'd never let his guard down like that with his underlings, like the Lads, however much he leans on them.

Chinese club. The owner vociferously makes his protest heard as 'constables' Doyle and Bodie barge their way through to a little backroom, claiming to be looking for a pusher who ducked into his doorway. In the backroom, a card game is in progress. The owner continues to complain, and the card players grumble as they are ordered to submit to a search. I like that Doyle does most of the talking – this is his old stamping ground, his old job. Bodie can play the part, but he can't know it the way Doyle does.

Just as Bodie finds something on one of the men he's searching, the man starts to fight back, and within seconds a full-blown brawl has erupted. The Lads are outnumbered by about eight to two, and a lot of punching and kicking ensues before they manage to subdue their opponents and arrest their man.

Cowley's place. The Minister says his farewells, and Cowley cautions him to keep a low profile. "I know it's only house arrest, but Manton is a stickler for detail. There could be a man watching the place." Well, if that's true, the Minister would have been seen going in, so no amount of caution going out can prevent the news getting back to Manton, surely. The Minister wishes him luck, and sees himself out.

Bodie's place. Hmm. Very interesting decor! Our Lads escort their Chinese prisoner in. The guy must be wondering if all British police bring their work home with them like this, but since this op is unofficial and therefore has to be covert in the extreme, they can hardly go through official channels and haul him back to the holding cells at HQ. His name is Choy, by the way, according to the credits, but I don't think the name is ever used on screen. Bodie is relieved to think that they'll be able to lose the outfits now, but Doyle shrugs that the uniforms saved their hides.

"If we'd been plain clothes, they'd have cut us to pieces," Doyle casually explains. "Chinese are like that. They respect authority."
"That one of the sayings of Mao, is it?" Bodie mocks.
"Oh no, experience," Doyle cheerfully retorts. "I used to walk a beat down Chinatown."

Seems to me that Doyle's old beat covered most of London!

Doyle gets on the phone to Cowley. "Just to confirm that your order's been filled. One Chinese takeaway."
"With lots of rice?" Cowley smiles, pleased.
"Oh yeah, lots of that," Doyle confirms, looking at the packet of drugs Bodie found on the man.

Cowley expresses his approval, and instructs them to 'hold the order till tomorrow' for him. "Looks like you've got yourself a roommate," Doyle snorts to Bodie.

Russian HQ. An anxious Gorky receives the call he's been waiting for – they are to present their plan to snatch Drake.

Police station. Drake is meeting with Miss Ryan, who outlines the procedure, which will involve moving him from prison to prison, and different courts for each remand hearing. "Scared there might be a plan to snatch me, make me disappear," Drake nods, unruffled.

Bodie's place. Doyle lets Cowley in. Either Doyle got there nice and early himself, or Bodie had more than one roommate last night. I'm guessing the latter, since they had a prisoner to guard, and all.

"Do you speak English?" Cowley snaps at Choy a couple of times, before repeating the question in Chinese.
Choy smirks. "Better than your Chinese," he scoffs.

Doyle's chuckle dies a hasty death when he catches Cowley glaring at him. Heh. He quickly hands over the 'two packets, uncut' that they found on the man, and Cowley tuts that that would make Choy a pusher, and earn him about three years hard. I like that although this is Bodie's place they are using, Bodie himself is merely lounging in the background, while Cowley uses Doyle as his wingman.

"What do you want?" snaps the frustrated Choy, which is just what Cowley wanted to hear.

Cowley sternly instructs the man to stay at home and close to a phone, so that they can contact him – three days maximum, and he will hear from them. The man doesn't understand, but that's just fine by Cowley; he doesn't need the man's understanding, just his obedience, in return for being let off a potential three-year stretch: just another cog in the engine of Cowley's plan. He's so devious.

Bodie escorts Choy out of his apartment, while Doyle looks meaningfully at his watch. Time to deliver Cowley to Fratworth for interrogation.

Fratworth. Manton questions Cowley about his history with Drake, and Cowley answers each question, as cool as a cucumber. At length, Tully sighs that it's an absolute farce – Cowley framed these questions, so how could they ever trip him up?

"Assuming that there is anything to trip up, Tully," Cowley reminds him. "I think the best thing is for the two of you to put your heads together, throw aside anything I might have established in the past, and come up with something new. I'll see you here again tomorrow at ten-thirty, right…? No need for protocol these days," he adds, as they rise to see him out. "After all, you are in charge these days, and I am your prisoner. Be clever. I'm very anxious for you to prove me innocent."

Hee. I love it. I love that he's so completely in control, even when under such suspicion, the way he so effortlessly pulls their authority out from under their feet even while deferring to it. It's awesome.

Outside, the dutiful and loyal Lads are waiting. Cowley instructs them to take him back to Bodie's place again. Heh. Bodie's place has become an impromptu HQ for them for the duration!

I can't help wondering what's going on at CI5 proper while all this is going on – who is running the place, and what they make of the Lads being at Cowley's beck and call rather than working any official cases, what the other agents think of It all.

Russian HQ. Sikor excitedly announces that he has just heard from Number One that he is able to provide them with a full itinerary for the various prisons Drake is to be moved between. Gorky does a good job of concealing how pleased he is, tersely handing over a list of special reinforcements he requires.

Bodie's place. The intrepid trio enter to find a large black box sitting randomly on a chair. First in, Bodie promptly whips out his gun and snaps onto full alert, which makes Cowley's contrasting nonchalance all the more amusing. "Oh, it's all right, Bodie – it's for me," he cheerfully reassures his agent. "I could hardly have it delivered to my place, could I? Not while I'm under suspicion. Someone might make something of it. Friends in low places, Bodie: essential part of our business. A present from Sergeant McKay."

"That mad bastard?" Bodie has been fuming silently up till now, but reaches his breaking point on hearing the name.
"Now, that's not fair," chides Cowley. "I happen to know his father rather well."
Heh.
"It's the thought of that SAS monster McKay breaking into my flat!" Bodie rages.
"He didn't break in. I gave him a key," Cowley calmly corrects, and Bodie is rendered speechless.

There are so many issues that can be drawn out of this scene regarding the down and dirty nature of the job, the almost breathtaking arrogance and confidence with which Cowley claims absolute authority over every aspect of his agents' lives, even their homes. Bodie is affronted in the extreme here, but he signed up for it, presumably with eyes wide open.

Doyle focuses on the box, guessing that it contains grenades, which Cowley guardedly confirms. But Bodie still isn't over the indignity of having keys to his place handed out willy nilly. "All due respect, sir, I'm sure I'm not entirely happy about anyone having the key to my flat! I mean what if…you were to come in unexpectedly while I was in the mi…doing…. Well, anything. You know."

Hee. The look on his face, and the look Doyle gives him? Priceless.

"I'd be very discreet, Bodie, I promise you," Cowley dryly assures him. "I'd wait until you were finished with doing whatever you were doing."

Hee. This is Cowley at his absolute best – high stakes subterfuge and intrigue really suit him.

"Ah, I think McKay must have left this for you, Bodie," Cowley adds, taking a pink tulip out of the box. "It was in Amsterdam, wasn't it, that he beat you in the Judo championship?"
"I was ill," Bodie grunts.
"Oh, I don't know, sir, might not be that," Doyle interjects, taking the tulip. "Might be some kind of bouquet. You know, never can tell these days."

Heh. Got to love seeing Cowley and Doyle ganging up on Bodie. Having started the teasing, Cowley then tells the two of them to stop it and get back to the serious business they are here for. The box contains stun grenades, which Doyle helpfully informs us are restricted, available with Home Office permission only.

"That's why I had to smuggle them," Cowley explains, matter of fact, and then waxes lyrical about the virtues of these stun grenades, which incapacitate but don't kill. "The next move is in the red corner," he announces.

A cab pulls up outside the Russian Embassy, and a couple of men of Chinese appearance are disgorged. Nearby, a camera records each of their faces. As they disappear into the Embassy, the camera pans back around to show Bodie and Doyle watching from Bodie's car, Doyle behind the camera.

Russian HQ. The Chinese-looking newcomers are ordered to get some rest and stay out of sight, and Gorky delights in the cleverness of his plan, using Asiatic Russian agents to snatch Drake so that the trail of evidence will lead back to the wrong nation. What with Drake supposedly being an agent of the Chinese, and all.

Ivan: "Yes, I can see it might work."
Gorky: "Might? It will work."

Ivan is concerned about the mysterious Number One, who will, after all, be providing the means for snatching Drake. Gorky blithely assures him that their source will be protected, since a failsafe is built into the plan in the source of Drake's solicitor, Sarah Ryan. Since Miss Ryan has insisted on being kept informed of Drake's every moment, suspicion can be cast onto her, thus ensuring Number One's anonymity. Ivan is wary of making such use of a British citizen, but Gorky brushes this concern off, since Miss Ryan is Irish. "And who is to say which side the Irish are on now, or what they might be up to?"

Ivan wanders off to mull things over a little more.

Fratworth. Bodie speeds up to the front door with a screech of tyres, and the Lads thoughtfully watch as Cowley hurries in, checking his watch. "Got that crafty look on him, hasn't he?" Bodie observes.

Heh. They know their Controller well – well enough to know that there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye!

Inside, Cowley apologises for being a wee bit late. Manton amiably enough starts to blame the traffic, but Cowley interrupts to flatly admit that it wasn't the traffic, and suggests that they reverse the process for a moment, him questioning them. He is so wonderfully in charge as he suggests that they sit. Manton starts to protest, but Cowley has his number. "Sir Frederick Manton. Has quite a ring to it, doesn't it?" he airily remarks. Manton gives in and acquiesces.

"I'm outside of this organisation now," Cowley begins, dropping effortlessly into lecture mode, as if addressing a class. "Oh, I know, nobody ever really leaves the service, but undeniably I now control CI5, and that's a new mob altogether. Now, you chaps aren't quite prepared to go all the way and ask for my suspension, you're not that sure of yourselves. So, I've got a lot of muscle, and a lot of expertise, and I command as much loyalty as I ever did here. We're poised and ready to spring Andy Drake."

Tully begins to interrupt, looking wearily resigned rather than alarmed at this threat of what amounts to inter-agency warfare, but Cowley brushes off his objection and tells him to keep listening – and looking. He hands over a photograph of Bodie and Doyle's hapless little Chinese pusher Choy, informing them that this man would be seen at the scene of Drake's abduction, so that the whole thing would be blamed on the Chinese, with stun grenades being used to ensure no casualties. The restrictions on the use of these grenades would point the finger even more firmly at the Yellow Peril. The spring would take place en route between prison and court – but they need details of the route, in order to plan where to make the snatch.

Manton: "George, you can't be serious."
Cowley: "Deadly. And my motives are selfish, too. Drake's treachery has tainted me, and there's only one way I can ever get clear."
Tully: "George, we trust you implicitly."
Cowley: "Aye, but you've still got to interrogate me. And at the end of it – what? Not proven. And that's as bad as guilty, as far as the record books are concerned. Drake and I would be under the same umbrella forever. My only way out – and, let's face it, your only way out – is Drake alone, under wraps somewhere, for as long as we need him. Drake subjected to our methods of interrogation. We'd milk him dry, and clear me in the process. I'll use CI5 to snatch him, deliver him into your tender hands, and the rest of the world will think he's living it up in Peking. Well, Tully?"
Tully: "It's madness."
Cowley: "Anything that succeeds in this business usually is."

Madness is absolutely the right word for Cowley's plan! Even he has to admit it. And Tully doesn't even know the half of it.

Manton concedes the virtue of the idea, but agrees with Tully that it is madness. So Cowley plays his ace, showing the photographs Doyle took of the men who arrived at the Russian embassy that morning. Just two KGB replacements: Asiatic Russians who, to the Western eye, look as near as damn it Chinese. "If we don't do this the Russians will. They're planning it, I'm sure of it."

Tully asks what would happen to Drake after they'd done with him, should they agree to this. He would never be seen again, Cowley replies, without hesitation. Manton firmly states that they must never be directly involved in any of this, and Cowley assures him that all he needs are the details of Drake's movements.

Cowley: "My boys will do the rest."
Manton: "And if it's a foul up? If it fails, George?"
Cowley: "It will be my failure, mine alone. I take full responsibility and carry the can into instant retirement."
Tully: "And what about your boys? If you go, they fall with you."
Cowley: "Then that would be their hard luck, wouldn't it."

That's cold. He's playing games with all of their lives and careers, not just his own – and he's enjoying it, getting a kick from the enormously high stakes he's gambling with. Cowley would argue that the end result is worth the risk, for all of them, but he at least had the choice, not to mention the luxury of full disclosure, and he's admitted himself that at least part of the appeal of this is the sheer thrill of the danger. He's very confident of his own ability to pull this off successfully – and in the lads' ability to obey without question and without anything approaching full disclosure – and is riding dangerously close to over-confidence. He's treading a very fine line, and I'm not sure if it's to his credit or not that he manages to pull it off successfully.

Outside. The Lads are contemplating the sneakiness of their Controller, and how it translates back to their own immediate futures.

Bodie: "Nothing says we have to mount an op for a Controller who's under house arrest. Nothing in the rules that says that. I looked."
Doyle: "Well, there's nothing that says we can't, either."
Bodie: "Eh?"
Doyle: "I looked, as well."

It's interesting to see from which direction each of them approaches this question. Bodie's concern lies with rank, with following his superior officer wherever he may lead, so he comes from the angle of wanting assurance that he is within his right to do so, despite the circumstances. Doyle, on the other hand, who has had the experience of working for corrupt superiors in the past, chose to check up on the opposite aspect – reassuring himself that he is within his rights to walk away from this at any moment, should he reach the conclusion that Cowley can no longer be trusted, and reassuring himself that he is justified in continuing to follow orders despite the shadow of suspicion hanging over Cowley's head.

Cowley emerges from the mansion, forestalling any further discussion of whether or not they are bound by CI5 rules to follow his orders, whatever their personal sense of loyalty might dictate. "It's green lights all the way," Cowley announces. "It's go."

Russian Embassy. Ivan has decided against Gorky's daring plan, much to Gorky's dismay, feeling that even the tiniest grain of suspicion against Number One is too much of a risk to take. A change in circumstances, however, quickly brings a smile to all their faces, as Gorky's assistant Sikor arrives with the thrilling news from Number One of Cowley's plan to spring Drake.

"We'll let Cowley to our work for us," Gorky laughs. "Let him snatch Drake, and then we'll snatch from the snatchers! The Americans have a phrase 'egg on the face', I never really appreciated it until now." They are all amused them immensely at the thought of Cowley, already under suspicion, taking the rap for springing his 'comrade in treachery', while the Russians themselves have Drake.

Prison. Miss Ryan keeps Drake informed about his next court appearance, scheduled for the following day. "Don't worry. The minute you're moved from here, they are bound by law to let me know. You won't be spirited away to some dark cellar, Mr Drake."

Drake smiles wryly, knowing so much more than she could possibly imagine about what is really going on here, how much is at stake, and how much danger he is truly in. After all, his being spirited away to some dark cellar is the whole point of this little exercise!

Chinese Club. In plain clothes this time, Doyle and Bodie make their way out back to collect their unwilling little pusher, Choy, since he didn't answer when they phoned. Grunting that they've found him now when they express disapproval of his not sitting beside the phone as instructed, he points out that they are not wearing uniform this time. Bodie smoothly assures him that this is because they are here as friends, best of friends, this last with a friendly intimidating hand on the shoulder. Choy, in the middle of a card game, wants to at least finish his hand, but Doyle, playing at Bad Cop today, is not in the mood and insists they go now.

"Oh, hang on, Doyle," Bodie snarks. "Can't drag a man away from his poker game. Not when he's finessing on two kings and a jack." Heh. Choy concedes defeat and goes with them.

Cowley's place. The Minister is visiting again, while Cowley frowns over Foreign Office interpretation of Russian policy, which he complains is like so much gobbledy-gook. "Is it the clear, cold wind of old, or just the breeze before the storm," Cowley poetically but vaguely wonders.

The Minister has no solid insights to offer, but Cowley assures him that his best guess would be valued more than most. He smiles and ponders, then says that he believes Moscow are seeking calm, and wouldn't sanction anything too extrovert at this time. If they were forced into action, it would be conditional – the strong hand in the very thick velvet glove. No casualties, Cowley interprets. If possible, the Minister agrees, adding that it's just his opinion, and he wouldn't want Cowley to stake his career on it.

"My career?" Cowley raises an eyebrow, chuckles. "I'll take a chance on that. It's lives I'm gambling with."

The Minister would like to know more, but although Cowley admits that he'd like to share the load, he has no intention of telling him anything at all. "I owe you that."

"I hope you know what you're doing, George," the Minister sombrely tells him.
"So do I," Cowley replies, the closest he ever comes to admitting he has any doubts at all about the eventual outcome of his carefully engineered scheme.

Russian Embassy. Gorky is finally given the go-ahead for the snatch on Drake, with one proviso. "Cowley's men are agents. Home agents, maybe, but agents just the same. We want no cause for retaliation – it must be a bloodless coup."

Gorky is untroubled, since Cowley has already contributed an idea for that, too – stun gas.

Fratworth. Cowley and Manton study maps as Tully takes the call detailing Drake's itinerary for the day as he is moved from prison to court to new prison. The route includes a nice stretch of open country, which Cowley decides will be just right for making the snatch.

"Aren't you going to wish me luck, gentlemen?" Cowley sasses by way of farewell.
Manton sniffs. "With what, George? As far as we know, you're just going home."

Russian Embassy. Gorky also receives a phone call, detailing both Drake's itinerary and the location of Cowley's chosen snatch spot. He instructs his assistant to take care of the Ryan woman.

Road. A van containing the unconscious body of Miss Ryan is driven up to a quiet farm someplace by the two Asiatic Russian agents. Given the dustsheets covering all the furniture inside the farmhouse, I'm going to guess they've found themselves a nice unoccupied property to appropriate, whether legally or otherwise, but no details are forthcoming. She's still out cold as she is carried her inside and handcuffed, and there's a tiny blooper where she moves her hand to help him get the cuffs on, despite being supposedly unconscious and an unwilling prisoner. Heh.

Court. A prison van and police escort pull up out back, transporting Drake to his court appearance.

Russian Embassy. Gorky's assistant enthuses over the plan, which is now underway, pulling out vodka and glasses to celebrate, but Gorky nixes that plan quick smart. Not yet.

Court. Bodie and Doyle arrive and proceed to pull the wool over the eyes of the innocent police officers assigned to Drake's case, announcing themselves as their escort to Cheltenham and oh-so obligingly setting them up with supposed 'anti-jam devices' for each vehicle.

"Are we expecting trouble?" one of the cops frowns.
"Oh, you know us," Doyle cheerfully assures him. "We always expect trouble."

Back in their own car to await Drake's return from his court appearance, Doyle eyes the policemen with uncomfortable appraisal, while Bodie futzes around with a remote control.

Doyle: "Poor bastards."
Bodie: "Well, it's just a headache. It's like a hangover."
Doyle: "Yeah, without the pleasure of drinking!"
Bodie: "Better than dead, though, innit?"

There it is once again, that clear division between how each of them is approaching this. Bodie has said just enough that we know he has been mulling over all the implications, but isn't dwelling on them. Having decided that he's in this, for better or for worse, he's focusing on the purely practical, on getting through the task at hand, leaving all doubts and concerns to be dealt with later, if need be. But Doyle, in contrast, just can't stop fretting about all the ways in which he's uneasy about the entire operation.

Field. Cowley parks his car and pulls a pretty heavy-duty rifle out of the boot.

Meanwhile, in another field nearby, the two Asiatic Russian agents move into position, with binoculars to watch the road, waiting for the right moment to make their move. They monitor the road in one direction…and Cowley in the other, also lying in wait, rifle in hand, ready to make his move.

Russian Embassy. Gorky arrogantly brags that of course he could interrogate Drake himself, but he clearly isn't going to get to do so. His hapless little assistant Sikor is present to awkwardly cheerlead in all the right places as he saves face by conceding that they will be saved a great deal of time if Number One, given his special knowledge, instead conducts the interrogation himself. The bait has been taken, hook, line and sinker.

Court. A random police officer informs Bodie and Doyle that there has been a hitch – Drake's lawyer didn't turn up for his remand hearing. She was a bit busy getting herself abducted, although they won't know that for a while yet. They settle in to wait a little longer, increasingly uncomfortable with the whole situation.

Doyle: "Doesn't feel right – mounting an op against our own."
Bodie: "Ours not to reason why, mate."
Doyle: "Yeah, well I have been. Snatch Drake, haul him away for questioning, as long as it takes."
Bodie: "Yeah."
Doyle: "Well, they're not going to release him to talk, are they?"
Bodie: "Well…"
Doyle: "Accessories to murder, mate: that's what we are. Either that or magnificent bloody patriots."

There's no question of either of them not going through with it, but their responses and reactions to the situation are so different. Bodie's body language speaks volumes for the uneasiness he isn't willing to admit, but he's very stoic about it – his loyalty lies with his Controller, end of story. He trusts Cowley and will follow his orders without question until the job is done, for better or worse. Doyle, on the other hand, remains a lot more willing to speak his doubts aloud. He can't not question those orders, can't stop himself from chewing over all what little of the detail he knows, trying to make sense of the situation, trying to rationalise, needing to justify his own actions. He's not going to back out, though – his loyalty also lies with his Controller, and so does his trust. He's prepared to see this through, and trust that he's chosen the right side, trust Cowley to be on the side of the angels and to know what he's doing. He'd just be a lot happier if he had all the facts at his disposal.

Drake's hearing is finally over, and the little convoy sets out.

Out in the countryside, Cowley checks his watch and continues to wait. On the road, the convoy speeds along at a leisurely pace. The Asiatic Russians monitor both the road and Cowley. Then finally, the convoy comes into sight. Amusingly, there are tire tracks all over the road long before the vehicles arrive – practice runs, presumably. A random car is passed, and then the road is clear. Bodie and Doyle agree that the place and time are right. "Now."

Cowley picks up his rifle and trains it on the road, as Bodie swings his car around with a tremendous screech of tires that totally matches the tracks on the road. Hee. He and Doyle leap out of the car and start coughing and spluttering into their radios, making out that they are under attack. Bodie covertly opens the boot to let the hapless Choy out, and he watches them with bemusement as they continue to cough and splutter into the radios. Then Bodie presses a button on his remote control to set off the stun grenades, cunningly concealed within those 'anti-jam devices' inside the police vehicles. Yelling into the radio that they have been hit, Doyle discreetly tells Choy to go, and he obediently sneaks around the back of the car and runs up to the police car and van, making sure each of the officers gets a good look at his face. This snatch is to be blamed on the Chinese, and Choy's visible presence ensures it. Meanwhile, Bodie and Doyle sprint to the van, blow the lock and snatch Drake.

Nearby, the Asiatic Russians don breathing apparatus and launch stun grenades of their own just as Bodie and Doyle – with Choy in tow – hustle Drake back to their car. All four go down in a haze of yellow gas, enabling the Russian agents to snatch Drake, bundle him back to their own vehicle, and take off at speed.

And Cowley is watching the whole time, rifle still in hand to protect his agents if need be, with a little smirk on his face because this is exactly what he wanted to happen. Everything is going according to plan, and it is now time for the endgame to play out, time for the payoff of all this plotting and danger.

Once the Russians and Drake have gone, Cowley hops back into this car and quickly drives to his fallen agents. Choy is lying crumpled in the road beside them, but is ignored completely from here on in, and left to explain himself as best he can. Cowley leaps out of his car with a little oxygen canister and mask in hand, and hurries to Bodie, first, since he's closer, applying a little oxygen to revive his downed agent. Bodie breathes deep, then wakes up in a fit of coughing. Cowley gives his hair a quick stroke, all reassuring like, before hurrying to do likewise for Doyle, who was already stirring when he arrived. Doyle gets oxygen, and a little pat on the side of the face, before Cowley returns to Bodie for one last puff of oxygen to revive him completely.

"Failure, sir," gasps Bodie, once he's regained a few more of his faculties. "Sorry."
"Oh, don't be," Cowley gruffly tells him. "It was perfect. We failed, but then we always had to."

Cowley hauls Bodie to his feet, while Doyle rather coltishly scrabbles to his unaided. Then they all get into Cowley's car and away – leaving Bodie's car in the middle of the road, doors open, with Choy collapsed alongside him. And two police vehicles nearby with unconscious officers in them who will no doubt have a lot of questions when they wake up concerning both their missing prisoner and the missing CI5 agents!

Then again, maintaining the cover for the benefit of the police was never the object – they just needed to fool the Russians into doing exactly what they have done. The subterfuge is over, but the loose ends left hanging are pretty messy.

Russian Embassy. Gorky is thrilled with the success of his plan, arranges to collect Number One at their rendezvous point in ten minutes, and hands a whisky bottle to Sikor. "Have one on me!" he exults as he leaves.

Fratworth. Tully gets off the phone and announces that Drake has been snatched. Manton nonchalantly agrees that he's just heard – that should be a clue, right there, because if Tully just received the official notification, who has Manton got his information from? Tully doesn't notice, though, simply shrugging that there's no point hanging around here – they'll have to wait to hear from Cowley. Manton looks thoughtful.

Cowley's car. Doyle coughs a little more, grunting that he doesn't get it. Cock-a-hoop, and riding the adrenaline high of everything thus far going according to plan, Cowley smirks that that was the whole point – if he had got it, if Cowley had told him what was going on, he'd have behaved differently. "And the KGB boys are cute – too experienced."

Well, maybe…but we've seen no evidence that the KGB agents were paying the slightest bit of attention to Bodie and Doyle to notice how they were behaving! Plus, both Doyle and Bodie have enough undercover experience that they could be trusted to act the part effectively, surely.

Doyle starts playing with his sunnies at this point, which is all kinds of distracting, because he looks awesome in them. He points out that the Russians have got Drake, and Cowley is pleased to say that he is right. Doyle realises that Cowley wanted it, and Cowley smugly agrees that he did.

"So he wouldn't be around to talk about you?" Doyle accuses.
Cowley laughs, a true belly laugh of genuine delight. "That kind of double-think, you might have been a good man for the Service, too. I've advanced to triple-think."

Bodie has remained silent up till now, slumped disconsolately in the front passenger seat while Doyle thought aloud, but now he turns accusing eyes on his Controller. "What the hell are you up to?" he wants to know. He's done everything he was asked, without question, impeccably demonstrated his unwavering loyalty, but now he feels used and betrayed.

Cowley cheerfully explains that right now they are locating Drake – that the Russians won't risk transporting him far, no more than 30/40 miles at most, and Pymar's transmitter is good for 100.

"Drake's bugged?" Bodie disbelieves.

As we see the Russians hustling Drake into that nice deserted little farmhouse they've appropriated, Cowley explains in voiceover that about a month ago Drake had a pin inserted in his elbow, but it was no ordinary pin. Doyle wants to know how long he's been planning this.

"A long time," Cowley grimly smiles. "A very damn long time."
"Planning what?" Bodie wants to know.
"A man trap," Cowley explains, which clarifies precisely nothing for his befuddled agents.

Without explaining any further, Cowley gets on the radio to Pymar, who is one of the Special Branch agents who arrested Drake at the top of the episode, and also apparently one of only three men to be in on the entire plan from start to finish, Cowley and Drake being the other two. You could argue that it's a heartening example of inter-agency cooperation, if it wasn't all so cloak-and-dagger!

Over the radio, Pymar informs Cowley that Drake's bug came to a halt at a random farmhouse someplace, and admits that he doesn't know the area well. "Well, you're about to," Cowley cheerfully announces, telling him to meet them on the road north of the house.

Doyle, sounding heartily fed up of all of this now, asks who the hell Pymar is. A friend of Cowley's from Special Branch, he is informed, the man who set the ball rolling by arresting Drake.

Farmhouse. Drake wakes up to find himself face to face with one of the Asiatic Russian agents. "Thank God, you've sprung me," he enthuses before realising that he is handcuffed to the chair, maintaining his cover perfectly. Behind him, we see Miss Ryan gagged and bound on the sofa.

Parked off the road, nice and discreet, Pymar watches a car speed past.

At the farmhouse, Gorky opens the rear passenger door for Number One to get out. Inside, Drake keeps his game face firmly glued in place as he greets Gorky, his presumed debriefer. Gorky corrects that he will merely be an observer. "You will be debriefed by an old friend."

Drake's eyes go wide with surprise when he sees just who that old friend is – finally sees who has fallen into the trap for which he so bravely agreed to act as bait.

Road. Cowley's car pulls up alongside Pymar, who informs him that Gorky's car has just passed containing two men, and wonders who the second man was. "Your man, perhaps?"

"Has to be, it's got to be. My God, Pymar, it's working!" Cowley is about as excited as we've ever seen him, all lit up with the thrill of the chase. It's less than a mile to the farmhouse, so Cowley decides to walk it from here, and off they all go.

Farmhouse. Gorky prepares a hypodermic of some kind of drug for Drake, while his Asiatic agents haul Miss Ryan out of the room.

Outside, the fantastic four scurry into cover from which they can survey the building. Sounding almost awed, Cowley whispers that the man he wants is in there.

"Minimum force," he instructs. "No shooting unless we absolutely have to, and then no kill wounds."
"We could go in with our hands tied," Bodie drawls.
"Minimum of force," Cowley firmly repeats.

Cowley is just in the process of dishing out instructions as to how to proceed, when the two Asiatic Russian agents emerge from the house hauling the unfortunate Miss Ryan. Cowley curses, while Doyle grimly notes that the Russians can hardly leave her walking about to tell the tale. Cowley sends him and Bodie to rescue the woman, despite this delay being a considerable dent in his plans.

"And no blood," Doyle snarkily reminds his partner as they go.

In the farmhouse, Drake has been given his injection. Gorky informs Number One that in just a few moments the presumed double agent will be all his.

Outside, Bodie and Doyle sprint athletically around the back of the out buildings and sneak up on the Russian agents as they bundle Miss Ryan into their car once more. They pick their moment carefully, leap out, and disable the Russians with ease. Miss Ryan lets out a muffled yell behind the tape on her mouth, but Bodie puts a finger to his lips to caution silence.

Inside, Drake is becoming droopy with the effect of whatever drug he was given – presumably some kind of truth serum – while a tape recorder has been set up to record his interrogation.

Outside, Bodie and Doyle rejoin Cowley and Pymar as they reach the side door of the farmhouse. Pymar is sent off to cover another exit, while the CI5 trio make their way inside. They carefully make their way through a succession of empty rooms before reaching the right one. Outside the closed door, Bodie kicks over an umbrella stand to draw attention their way – better to draw their opponents out than to face them on their own turf. The agent who comes to investigate is swiftly disabled and the intrepid trio dash in to find Drake, Gorky…and Number One.

"Manton," Cowley greets the other man with disgust. "I'm glad to say I lost a bet with myself. I thought it was Tully. So did Andy here. Is he okay?" He sends Bodie to check. "Treat him gently: he's a very brave man, and a very loyal one," Cowley instructs his agent, as Bodie commandeers the handcuff keys from Gorky to release Drake.

"A set up," Gorky spits.
"A baited trap, and you obligingly sprung it," Cowley corrects, triumphant. "You and your Number One, here. We knew there was a Number One, but not who. So we drew you out, and here you are."
"Cowley," Manton desperately begins.
"Mister Cowley!" Cowley growls at him. Hee.

Cowley orders Gorky to round up his thugs and go. They have diplomatic immunity, I guess, and this was never about them – although the amount of explaining they will have to do over the loss of Number One will be ample punishment for their part in the entire affair. Manton objects to Pymar putting handcuffs on him.

"Someone spoke to me, but I don't see anyone," Pymar snarks.
"That's right, Pymar. No one at all," Cowley agrees, voice dripping with venom. "No cuffs. No formal arrest. Just somewhere quiet in the country, eh, Manton? Somewhere like this, where we can talk and talk for hours…months… years, even."

Outside, Pymar and Manton take the lead in walking back to the cars – parked a mile away, we remember – Manton unrestrained in any way. Behind them, Cowley very deliberately calls Pymar's name, a distraction, and Manton immediately takes advantage of that distraction to punch him in the stomach and start running.

Bodie and Doyle immediately pull their guns out, but Cowley calls them off and deals with it himself. He calls for Manton to halt, then shoots him in the back as he flees.

I'm not sure a gun that size would actually be as effective over that kind of distance as is made out here, so let us glide over that minor niggle. Manton drops to the ground, dead, and Drake's jaw hits the ground, absolutely stunned at this outcome.

"He couldn't have told us anything, Andy," Cowley quietly says. "It was our organisation he was milking, not theirs. And along the way he was responsible for more than a dozen men. Good men. Friends."

But it still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, because this was vengeance, not justice, and every one of them knows it. Doyle was right about that accessories to murder thing. I don't think Cowley ever had any intention of actually dealing with Manton in the long term, had no safe, secure hideaway arranged for him. He deliberately distracted Pymar so that Manton would try to escape and thus provide him with an excuse for execution. It was cold as hell, but that's part of who he is, I suppose, and part of the job he does.

They all walk away, leaving Manton's corpse just lying there. I'm guessing there will be a hell of a lot of paperwork necessary to clean this lot up.

Cowley's place. Cowley has got Bodie and Doyle around for a celebratory drink-and-debrief. Now that it's all over, they aren't afraid to voice a few of their niggles.

Bodie: "Sir. You put these stun grenades in their minds. Um. Sold them hard."
Doyle: "Yeah, supposing they hadn't gone for it?"
Bodie: "Yeah."
Cowley: "I had you both covered. I'm a very good shot."
Bodie: "Yeah, saw that. Nevertheless. What if something had gone wrong?"
Cowley: "Oh, in that case I'd have arranged a nice headstone for the two of you. Out of my own pocket, of course."
Doyle: "Permission to make an observation, sir?"
Cowley: "Aye."
Doyle: "You're a ruthless old bastard."
Cowley: "Not so much of the old, sonny!"

He raises a glass, and the lads can't help but smirk and chuckle as they join him in the toast to themselves. They might have had their doubts, and they might still be uncomfortable with some of the methods used, but the bottom line is that they do trust their Controller, and are prepared to accept his judgement – even regarding his killing of Manton.

Overall, this is an intriguing episode. It's a bit plot-heavy, twisty as hell, and at times feels like there's a bit too much plot to fit neatly into the time available, which means that some aspects of the plot feel under-developed. But there's some fantastic dialogue, and it's a fascinating insight into the mind of George Cowley.

Rachel said:

The 'bittiness' doesn't show at all. When I first watched this ep. it took me a little time to realise that Cowley had planned the whole thing; when I did, it only served to raise my admiration of him even more.


Billie said:

It was fascinating. I was amazed at how much I could totally agree with the report of what was literally happening on the screen, but how little I agreed with some of the interpretations of the characters' actions. It was a clear demonstration of why, after 30 years, people are still finding things to say about the show and who the characters really are!


Jo said:

Hi Billie. Don't stop there - tell us why you disagree and what your interpretations would be like! Keep the debate running :)


Sue said:

>It seems like an age since we talked through our last episode review, so it's high time we kicked off the next.

It now also seems ages since you posted the review, Jo, but I'm blaming Christmas for my delay in replying. There's a huge chunk of days missing and a whole list of things I was meant to get done during them that haven't even been started!

While this one isn't a favourite episode - it doesn't often come to mind when wondering which episode to watch - there are some good moments, such as the dressing up as policemen bit and the fight with the Chinese in the club. There's no such thing as a completely bad episode <g>

>Okay, so this episode is all about triple-think and high stakes game playing, and it's a lot easier to follow the action if you understand that up front and bear it in mind at all times.

Hee - well I'll try but it's not easy.

> two agents from Special Branch pop out of hiding

And it always amuses me to see the same actor who played one of the bent coppers in In The Public Interest only this time he's one of the good guys and an old friend of Cowley's.

The arrest scene seems almost throw away until later when we realise how very farsighted Cowley was in setting this whole thing up. Without the very public arrest, Andy Drake would have been disappeared and never seen again.

I do like that Cowley doesn't betray, even by the merest flicker, that he's been expecting to be taken in - although he almost breaks into a smile when he asks if the lads are arresting him. Doyle almost smiles in return as if sharing the joke at the very idea of them arresting him.

Cowley is grateful they didn't cuff him but honestly, when do they ever cuff anybody? The only incident I can think of is when they want to humiliate Turvey in Everest. Good though Cowley undoubtedly still is, if he wanted to make a run for it, I rather think the lads would be up to stopping him <g>

I wonder what happens to the fine antique desk of Cowley's given that he needs to buy another one by the time of The Acorn Syndrome.

Back at his flat, the comment to Doyle about the drink not being a bribe and Bodie saying he always thought Cowley had a lot of honour are both so perfectly in character. It's from little lines like this that we get Bodie's respect for and commitment to Cowley and Doyle's hatred of bribery and corrupt officials.

Miss Ryan is a much more likeable character than Geraldine Mather. She too wants justice for her client and would probably be equally horrified at much of what goes on at CI5 but one gets the feeling she wouldn't side with crooked solicitors and wouldn't go on a vendetta against the organisation. I also like her quick understand of the situation when the lads attack her abductors later on. Although they seem almost to have forgotten her later when all the excitement is over.

When Drake asks Manton how George Cowley is taking it, it's a very neat question on Drake's part. He must be anxious to know how his and Cowley's plan is going. By introducing Cowley's name here it has a two fold action. It suggests that Drake, as a traitor, is cautiously enquiring whether or not they've also captured his leader and, if Manton gives him any kind of answer, it allows Drake some information to tell how the plan is working.

Then the fight at the club - I enjoy that! That uniform doesn't seem to hamper Doyle's movements at all <g> Mind you, every time I watch it I still think it looks as if they planted the drugs on the man. I keep expecting him to protest as much.

MANTON: You first met in Edinburgh. At the Festival. A recital of Bach?
COWLEY: Ah, not just Bach. There was also Beethoven, Chopin and some
Prokofiev.
TULLY: It was Lord Aimsworth who made the introduction?
COWLEY: No. He hadn't been elevated to the peerage at that time. He was
still Sir Geoffrey Aimsworth.
MANTON: Later, you dined at the Brechin Rooms.
COWLEY: No. That first evening, we just had drinks together in the Brechin Rooms. We dined on the Thursday following at Sir Geoffrey's home.

This questioning of Cowley by Manton and Tully puts me in mind of the old song - I remember it well - as performed by Maurice Chevalier in Gigi.

He: We met at nine.
She: We met at eight.
He: I was on time.
She: No, you were late.
Ah yes! I remember it well.

He: We dined with friends.
She: We dined alone.
He: A tenor sang.
She: A baritone.
Ah yes! I remember it well.

I love too, how Cowley is completely in charge of the whole thing while assuring them that he is their helpless prisoner. It's a scene most beautifully played by Gordon Jackson - so effortless. I've said it before and no doubt will say it again but anybody who thinks he wasn't convincing as Cowley just hasn't watched the programme properly.

>I can't help wondering what's going on at CI5 proper while all this is going on – who is running the place, and what they make of the Lads being at Cowley's beck and call rather than working any official cases, what the other agents think of It all.

Oh yes, interesting thought, Jo. Knowing Cowley he can probably run CI5 while stuck in his flat and nobody could tell the difference. He does say he's not actually suspended yet. The other agents are probably used to Bodie and Doyle being singled out for special duties - being the top team and all <g>

I find the whole bit about Sergeant Mackay and Bodie's dislike of him a fascinating side issue. A lovely bit of background that goes nowhere but just adds some depth to the episode and the character. Is there something about people called Mackay being 'mad bastards' though? <g>

Cowley pointing out that unless he is exonerated the best he can hope for is a not proven verdict is a nod to the courts of his native Scotland where 'not proven' is a possible outcome of any case where the jury can't be convinced of a definite guilty or not guilty.

>Prison. Miss Ryan keeps Drake informed about his next court appearance, scheduled for the following day. "Don't worry. The minute you're moved from here, they are bound by law to let me know. You won't be spirited away to some dark cellar, Mr Drake."

Drake's expression seems to say that she is very naive and actually he is expecting just that.

The 'anti-jam' devices appear to be magnetic so I do wonder what, exactly, is holding it in place on the dashboard of the police car <g>

Doyle: "Doesn't feel right – mounting an op against our own."
Bodie: "Ours not to reason why, mate."
Doyle: "Yeah, well I have been. Snatch Drake, haul him away for
questioning, as long as it takes."
Bodie: "Yeah."
Doyle: "Well, they're not going to release him to talk, are they?"
Bodie: "Well…"
Doyle: "Accessories to murder, mate: that's what we are. Either that
or magnificent bloody patriots."

These reminds me so much of the triple think, action packed episodes of the current series of Spooks where sometimes, all you have to go on is your trust in those you work with each day and trying to hold on to your belief you are on the right side, doing the right thing.

The whole snatch of Drake is ludicrous. The Capri is still in sight of the police van - as it should be - when Bodie screeches to a halt and they both start coughing into the RT. Can't the driver of the police van see they are faking it? And doesn't anybody realise the tear gas is coming from those CI5 supplied anti-jam devices? The Chinese guy certainly seems baffled by their sudden fit of coughing. The security guard in the back of the van with Drake was still awake sufficiently to see said Chinese guy as intended. Let's hope he immediately passed out and couldn't see Bodie unlocking the cuffs a second later.

>Bodie has remained silent up till now, slumped disconsolately in the front passenger seat while Doyle thought aloud, but now he turns accusing eyes on his Controller. "What the hell are you up to?" he wants to know.

Hee - watching this episode closely for this review, that bit could go down as...well, not exactly a favourite Bodie moment but certainly one worth re-watching. He is just so fed up and can't be bothered to try and work it out the way Doyle might, he just wants to know what the hell is going on. It's perfect :)

And then suddenly it's all over. A quick punch up, the bad guys are put down and the traitor is executed. I can understand Cowley's desire to put down Manton but it's quite shocking all the same. However he has the excuse of attempting to flee and nobody there is going to report otherwise, they're all loyal to Cowley. That said, too many incidents of bending the rules to suit himself and one day, somebody like Doyle, might just think his powers have gone to his head - "Then you'd really think you were God." as the lovely minister observes in In The Public Interest.

Just a couple more observations. Pymar - a very strange name :) Gorky is a very creepy man, it's a brilliant performance. He seems almost feverishly in rapture whenever he mentions his mysterious number one.

And yes, the overall message is that Andy Drake is indeed a very brave man. Cowley had a well plotted plan and carried it out brilliantly but it was dependent upon so many things going as he predicted and any one of them could have thrown a spanner in the works. Andy Drake put huge trust in Cowley and risked his life on a lots of if's and maybe's.

There's a lot to take away from this episode and possibly I should rewatch it more often :)

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