A well-plotted episode, on par with Brian Clemens' usual standards.

At last we get a Doyle-based episode. The flashback to 1971 works well though funny to see he had a daft perm even back then! <G>

Although the plot is terrific, for me it doesn't quite work... though I'm not sure why!

The ep is also well-paced as all the little pieces fall into place. Most of the best scenes work so well because Martin's tremendous acting abilities shine through. However I have to say that the opening scene in the pub is very hammily done by most of the participants.

For example Doyle chasing Haydon after the shooting – the way Martin portrays Doyle's reaction to Syd's death, both in radioing HQ and the venom behind "Haydon, you murdering bastard... you're BUSTED!!". (No prizes for guessing who clipped that bit!)

Also, the lads together after the night out with the girls and Martin's blistering delivery: "Now tell me, Bodie, how would YOU feel about it?".

The final scene is excellent, too, with Haydon being held in freeze-frame – very effective.

"I back my men to the hilt." / "Even if they are wrong?" / "Until they are proved wrong!"

This is a particularly good Doyle-watching episode. We get to see him young, in shirt sleeves and uniform, and undoylishly obedient to his older partner's orders. He obeys, wait and then obviously chokes with emotion over his friend's death. The jeans that Doyle the CI5 agent wears are nicely tight and the scene where he's washing his hands and wearing the black tee shirt is very replayable! Last but not least is the naked-to-the-waist scene while the character mulls over the problem while in bed.

Ah.

The scene in Doyle's flat when he fills Bodie in on why he's been so nasty to the young woman is a marvel of male communication. They have a drink, Doyle yells, Bodie mumbles a reply, looks stunned then concerned about his partner and remains that way throughout the rest of the story. If you watch closely, there are very few moments when Bodie takes his gaze off his partner. Ray is concerned with justice; Bodie is concerned with Ray. (Lewis does a wonderful bit of underplayed acting in that "Well, how would you feel, Bodie?" scene. Just the eyes and they speak volumes!)

(Also this episode brings us the first mention of "that gymnast". She is referred to again in 'First Night'. Enquiring minds would really like details!)

Doyle dresses casually throughout; Bodie dresses more formally until the finale when they both wear the brown leather jackets. Yum.

Cowley has some nice dialogue in this one. Good small comedy between the agents and the boss in spite of the seriousness of the situation. The three actors play well together. Movement and dialogue seem so natural we could be peeking into a real moment. The "tea (or coffee) machine" scene, for instance, is marvelously easy. BTW note that Bodie gets a cup for Ray without being prompted or asked. This is a story about Bodie doing what's best for Ray.

I believe this episode also has the first "Lewis played a joke but we kept filming" event when Bodie give Ray a drink and MS almost chokes on what is obviously real alcohol. Watch Lewis' face – he's having a great time!

Bodie drives in this one. And watch their profiles/faces in the final driving scene after they've learned the truth. Both are furious.

The plot works – got a little tired of the flashbacks, but just FF through those now. The first time I watched I had no idea how the conclusion was going to work out.

Ambury Mansions, Doyle's flat and the prison are all to be found at the Harefield Grove studios. The prison was actually the squash courts!

Haydon's house was Lockwell House, White Hill, just west of Northwood.

Oxhey Park, a few miles east-south-east of Watford, is where the gun is found.

The car dealership was J R Inwards at 53 High Street, Ruislip. Still there today, apparently!

One script blunder which I'm sure everyone has spotted is that the murder of Fitch and Parker took place six years previously, yet Haydon has been in prison for "seven years and five months" according to his daughterm, unless the viewer is to assume that the "present day" sections of the story take place in early 1979. (The ep was tx'd in Feb '78)

Another (albeit unavoidable) problem is that in the "long, hot summer of '71" scenes, the trees are bare! (Well spotted, Gareth Bevan)

Also, according to Martin Day and Keith Topping, the summer of 1971 was actually one of the coldest!

Gerald Sim (the Minister) was a popular and regular support character in Avengers/New Avengers stories. He also starred alongside Lewis in Jack the Ripper and played a judge in the Harrison Ford blockbuster Patriot Games. Most recently seen in the short-lived revival of The Fall and Rise of Reginal Perrin (1996).

Geoff Hinsliff (the Seargeant) is best remembered for his long role as amputee taxi-driver Don Brennan in Coronation Street but also starred in the popular 1984 comedy-drama Brass.

Michael Sheard (here in a cameo as Merton the forensics man) is best remembered for his portrayal as teacher-from-hell Mr Bronson in early-80s Grange Hill. He often plays Germans - particularly Himmler or Hitler for his close resemblance to them! Indeed he appeared as the fuhrer in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Also starred as the Dusseldorf building site manager in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Early appearances include the excellent children's Look and Read serial "Cloudburst" and various roles in 1970s Doctor Who.

Shelagh Fraser also appeared in 'A Stirring of Dust'. Died in 2000.

Arthur White (the barman) is the brother of popular comedy actor David Jason. Arthur, however, hasn't had the meteoric success of little bro. (Thanks to Ann Critchley)