Last updated : 17th October 2004


HomeClick for the complete List of Episodes


Weekend in the Country It's Only a Beautiful Picture


Episode TitleKickback
Story SynopsisIn order to trap a would-be assassin, Bodie and SAS-man Keller go undercover to offer to carry out the hit themselves with the opportunity of faking the killing. But Keller has an ulterior motive...
WriterStephen Lister
DirectorIan Sharp
Series4
UK Episode #D14
UK Tx Date20 December 1980
Production #Block 4, Ep 8
Approx Filming Dates22nd September - 3rd October 1980
Guest StarsNorman Eshley
Dave's Comment Story
Action
Pace
Humour
Violence

A fast-paced but oddly 'empty' episode but heightened by a quick burst of a remixed New Avengers theme tune in there!!

The story works well, even if it's not particularly inspiring. However there's a huge plot hole at the end: without giving too much away for those who have yet to see this ep, Keller's plan only works because Travaioli manages to escape from Doyle. How could Keller count on this?

Some great action scenes here such as Spelman being sprung, Doyle pelting after him, the rigged assassination and Bodie's helicopter jaunt. Nuthin' special, admittedly, but it all helps.

Not much humour or daffy banter, sadly. And no character development either, unless you count the little tidbits of Bodie's SAS career.

I think Norman Eshley's intense but dry performance as Keller is the ep's best aspect. Watch his expressionless, emotionless eyes as he viciously chloroforms Travaioli - not even looking at his victim as he does it. Very effective little scene, that. Difficult to believe that Eshley was appearing in the sitcom George and Mildred at the same time!

The final shoot-out and punch-up sequence is well choreographed but if you haven't seen this ep, don't worry too much.

Sharon's CommentAh, Kickback. Wetsuits, guns and betrayal. Bodie just doesn't have much luck with his old mates, does he? Doyle aside, look at the roster: Krivas, Benny, Williams (from 'Wild Justice': dead SAS man), Marikka and now Jimmy Keller.

The wetsuits are a rare treat. Thanks ever so much to all responsible and involved! Note, BTW, the slight "Jaws" sound in the music at the very first water shot. My only problem with the opening scene is the flashbacks which are distracting and weird. Once the story begins to unfold they make sense but by then they're over and past and this episode was shown long before most viewers had VCRs. If we're supposed to be seeing the flashbacks from Bodie's point of view it's even more odd – he ought to be concentrating on the present operation, not thinking of past ones.

We can only wish that Bodie had been as warm in his suit as Doyle - tunic removed and longies unzipped to mid-chest. Nice bare arms. Ah.

Once out of the wetsuits both men are well-dressed throughout this episode. Bodie tends to wear black, always a treat. And Doyle wears the lovely white sweater for the first part, a sports coat for the rest, although he does have on the same yellow shirt for what seems to be a period of several days. They both look very good no matter what they're wearing. They're moving well and looking quite sharp.

Murphy has several tiny appearances.

Loved Keller's description of Bodie as "not too bright but a damned good marksman."

Bodie does quite a bit of shooting and it is a lovely sight to behold. Some major pouting views in this episode. And when he's dumped by Keller, he suffers in what must be described as a cute manner! Rather like a little boy who's been hurt by a friend.

During the RT conversation between Bodie and Doyle we get another of those odd and unexplained "real life" elements when Doyle returns to his car to catch Bodie's call and says he was "just out for some air". Or answering another call of nature? In any event it's an example of those "you're really there" moments sprinkled liberally throughout Pros. Nice, nice work. Good touch of humor with Bodie whinging about being in the country while cheerfully sucking down booze.

The story's a good one though there are loose ends unexplained. The girl Keller has at the farm seems extraneous unless she's supposed to indicate that he is not as straight-arrow as he seems. Also why does Keller put himself in harm's way for Bodie at the final gunfight? Is his loyalty to his old mate so strong he's willing to die? Motivation?

Nevertheless my only criticism of this episode is that The Lads aren't together enough. Fun when they are, however. I liked it.

LocationsThe boat scenes were filmed at Harleyford Marina between Marlow and Henley (Thanks to Pete Freeman).

The assassination attempt takes place in Finsbury Park N4, Both the jeep carrying Bodie and the Jag with Cowley enter the park via the entrance to the park in Endymion Road/Tollington Park, N4. (Many thanks to Ian Carpenter).

Doyle trails the Mercedes which turns off Liverpool Road and into what is now the Business Design Centre. Doyle actually turns into Barford Street which is the turning after! (Thank again to Ian)

The transfer of money to Travaioli takes place in a warehouse in Liverpool Road, Islington. Travaioli is then chloroformed by Keller in a house in Gibson Square, Islington. (Thanks to Louise Nadal)

The airfield briefly used in the episode is White Waltham, just south of Maidenhead. (Thanks to Steve Sharpe)

BloopersIn the scene where Doyle is photographing the exchange of money between Travioli and the PLA agents, our hero actually appears to be angling his camera away from the villains?? (Thanks to Neil Ward).

In the scene where Bodie uses the helicopter to attack the guy in the blue Ford Cortina, you can tell by the tyre tracks that the scene was filmed out-of-sequence. Also watch for various decals on the car disappearing and reappearing. (Thanks to Mark Gibbon)

BTWAnother ep penned by 18-year-old Stephen Lister.
Deja Vu

Norman Eshley (Jimmy Keller) will always be remembered for his role as Jeffrey Fourmile, the long-suffering neighbour to the Roper couple in the classic sitcom George and Mildred, though he actually played a completely different character in that show's forerunner, Man About the House. I think he was a regular in Warship, the naval drama in which Lewis Collins guested in one episode. He also starred in a fantastic episode of The Sweeney in which he played a schizophrenic cop. He played Sue Johnston's university tutor in Brookside for several episodes, ending up being suspected of her rape. He won the part of a police inspector in the 1997 Christmas Special for the sitcom One Foot in the Grave - apparently Lewis Collins was second choice for the role.



Weekend in the Country It's Only a Beautiful Picture

Click for the complete List of Episodes


Home

Advice, opinions, corrections for this page always welcome! E-Mail Dave. Thanks!