Seemingly a rather mundane subject and this is essentially a Cowley-based story, but Denham and Swann's Shakespearean banter and the pacey direction keep it going nicely and the storyline itself is surprisingly engaging – and would have been quite topical in its time.

Special note for those who have only seen the Granada Plus episode: there were huge chunks of this edited out involving the "nobbling" of a second juror, the manager of a hardware store. Doyle's interrogation of him is underplayed very nicely – regarding some paintbrushes: "These any good for whitewash... cover-ups.... snowjobs.... ?"

The dialogue throughout the episode is brilliant. A couple of examples between Cowley and the Minister: "Why us? Why not the Fraud Squad? Or Special Branch?" / "Reasons of policy, Mr Cowley" / "The usual phrase for two coats of political whitewash!".... and later: "What do you suggest I do?" / "Resign. But we live in a world without much honour, where politicians hang on to office like dirty glue, so I don't suppose you will. Blame is for others."

Logan-Blake's line to Repton when the latter sneaks out to warn about CI5's investigations cracks me up every time: "Good morning, Henry! Without your false beard?!"

Some humorous exchanges, too and a fascinating scene with Cowley unimpressed at the Lads' skills in fencing - "Like dancing the Tango with ma Grannie!" / Bodie: "I'm a disco man myself, sir!". Some acidic teasing, too - see Sharon's comment below - and Doyle's "You'll have to excuse his [Bodie's] manners - he hasn't got any!"

When the lads are staking out Gillam's house, Drake and Renshaw appear and Doyle seems to warn Bodie to "Vanish! There's movement on Mars!". Strange slang!?!

A few good action scenes - eg the pub fight and the scraps between the lads and Temple's men.

Despite Brian Clemens' instruction to writers that should avoid regional accents, we have the distinctly northern-sounding Councillor Webb. Great performance by Peter Woodthorpe, though - perhaps the accent was his own idea?

In fact everybody turns in a good performance - helped, of course, by the great script.

Initially certainly not a case for CI5, as Cowley says.... but as one of the earliest episodes to broaden the series' "framework", it's an excellen story ... especially for fans of The Cow! Easily one of my top five eps.

But Bodie and Doyle have some delightful moments. The fencing scene is marvelous, with Bodie, hungover and weary from a night of carousing, grousing about Cowley and Doyle teasing him. Everyone looks quite good in fencing whites, btw. Fine dialogue among the three of them.

The pub brawl is fun. Note Bodie's "American" accent when he says: "Always like a place where I can spit on the floor." Was that supposed to be a Johnny Wayne moment? Also, use your slow-mo through the fight and see that Bodie acquires a tee-shirt (undershirt, vest) during the last part. Seems his trousers were falling down. <G> Nice glimpses of lower back there. The fight is well choreographed. This is, of course, one of the strengths of The Professionals. (no pun intended)

The fish & chip shop scene is another of those nice slice-of-life bits. Watch Bodie's face. He pays attention to the food and condiments while Doyle queries the informer. It's quite cute.

Bodie and the old Colonel is another good small moment. This episode deals a lot with social class. Here we see Bodie running smack into the military side of it and it gets right up his nose!

Both men look good. Doyle's hair is longer now. They sport the better leather jackets.

Another cute moment: when they wait at the construction site and Doyle says something about "want to build some houses?" and Bodie replies "not in these shoes" to which Doyle comes back with: "I bet your mother's feet are cold." <snicker>

The last scene, again in the fencing studio, gives us a hint that Cowley is indeed grooming The Lads to follow in his footsteps. By training them to see crime outside of physical violence and terrorism, he's expanding their horizons considerably.

Well done!

The Temple-Blake offices were shot in actually shot from the Tower Thistle Hotel, St Katharine's Way, overlooking Tower Bridge. (Thanks to Stephen Carter)

Bryn Dyer suggests Robert's house is situated in Friern Barnet Lane, north west London. However Bob Rocca reckons it's in Frithwood Avenue, Northwood. (It was also used in 'Stopover'.

Sir James' vast pad is High Canons Farm, Buckettsland Lane, Borehamwood.

The bizarre fencing scenes were shot at the National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, Westmister.

The chip shop is along Station Road, Harlesden, NW10 and still there today, apparently.

Councillor Webb plays at North Middlesex Golf Club, Friern Barnet Lane.

Brian Clemens was most unhappy with this episode. In the Autumn 1992 edition of Timescreen magazine he recalled having rejected the script on the grounds that he couldn't follow the plot! However as LWT were not prepared to buy another script, they ordered the episode to be made regardless.

Incidentally the entire interview covers most of the shows Brian has been involved with and is a well worth tracking down. Big Thanks to Jackie Lane for assistance!

Lots of familiar faces in this one!...

Maurice Denham (Sir James Temple) was born in 1909 and was still acting until his death in 2002. Perhaps best remembered for his stint on Ronnie Barker's classic sitcom Porridge where he played the judge that put Barker's character, Fletcher, away yet found himself sharing a cell with the same when found guilty of fraud. Also appeared in the classic early 70s series The Lotus Eaters.

Robert Swann (Tony Logan-Blake) also appeared briefly in 'The Ojuka Situation'. Did a couple of Sweeney episodes but has been in little else since, though had a turn in EastEnders in 1993. More recently seen flogging insurance in TV ads. (Thanks to Liz Morgan).

Harold Innocent (Repton) also starred in 'Operation Susie'. Appears to have started his TV career in the US, guesting in shows such as Gunsmoke and The Twilight Zone. Back in the UK he continued his "apprenticeship" in guest spots for the usual ITC shows and The Avengers. You may have spotted him as the Bishop in Alan Rickman's Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves. Passed away in 1993.

David Hargreaves (Halloran, CI5's informant) seems to have spent much of his career in cop shows, firstly as the ineffective Chief Inspector in Strangers and then on to Juliet Bravo. Lately to be seen in Mersey Beat.

Brian Hall (Sam Burton) is best remembered for Fawlty Towers wherein he played the chef. Otherwise usually played villains in the likes of The Sweeney and movies including The Long Good Friday and McVicar. Perhaps his best acting role, though, was in the excellent childrens' drama Break in the Sun where he played an abusive father whose young daughter runs away from home. Tragically Brian Hall contracted cancer and passed away in 1997. (Thanks to Liz Morgan).

Duncan Preston (Drake, Temple's bully-boy) went on to one of ITV's few decent sitcoms Surgical Spirit but is now better known as one of comedienne Victoria Wood's TV "reperatory company".

Derek Martin (Renshaw, Drake's portly sidekick) guested in various crime shows throughout the 1970s, most auspiciously in the controversial G F Newman mini-series Law and Order, concerning corruption within the police force. Then went on to play the lead (with Nigel Planer from The Young Ones) in the rather good but mysteriously short-lived debt-collection drama King and Castle in 1985. Hasn't worked much in TV since but still seen popping up in various soaps.

Bill Fraser (Colonel Summerville) is best remembered for fifties comedy The Army Game and its spin-off Bootsie and Snudge. Also for his guest role in one of greatest Avengers episodes 'The Hidden Tiger'. Passed away in 1987.