This is a fairly unusual (but highly memorable) episode of The Professionals, whereby Bodie and Doyle are sent on an undercover 'spying' mission to an unnamed town.
This happens after Cowley has become altered to corruption in the town's police force - traced back to the control of a bigoted Chief Constable.
Apparently Brian Clemens got the idea for the story when he read an article about a British town with an unusually low crime rate, and wondered how such a situation could be achieved.
Bodie and Doyle see the corruption first-hand for themselves, and soon run into trouble with the local 'fuzz'. They ultimately set up a provocative gay bookshop in the town - with the hope of flushing out the ringleaders and gathering evidence to present to Cowley.
Although the idea of a town being unilaterally run this way in 70s Britain seems a bit far-fetched, the episode certainly works within the framework of the story - and Bodie and Doyle are effective as the 'Lone Ranger' characters who hope to come riding to the rescue.
Cowley gets a good scene early on, unusually showing off his own 'tough guy' skills when he apprehends the town's whistleblower - not realizing he's a friend and not a foe. There's some good banter with Bodie and Doyle with the receptionist of a shabby B & B in town - although they seem to like their room!
The final act is suspenseful too, as Bodie and Doyle are caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse with their antagonists. It's interesting to note here that Doyle's previous time as a police officer (before joining CI5) leads him to make a crucial judgment of integrity.
All in all, an entertaining and suspenseful episode that raises some important issues, and gets Bodie and Doyle really working as a team as they attempt to right a terrible wrong.
Apparently Brian Clemens got the idea for the story when he read an article about a British town with an unusually low crime rate, and wondered how such a situation could be achieved.
Bodie and Doyle see the corruption first-hand for themselves, and soon run into trouble with the local 'fuzz'. They ultimately set up a provocative gay bookshop in the town - with the hope of flushing out the ringleaders and gathering evidence to present to Cowley.
Although the idea of a town being unilaterally run this way in 70s Britain seems a bit far-fetched, the episode certainly works within the framework of the story - and Bodie and Doyle are effective as the 'Lone Ranger' characters who hope to come riding to the rescue.
Cowley gets a good scene early on, unusually showing off his own 'tough guy' skills when he apprehends the town's whistleblower - not realizing he's a friend and not a foe. There's some good banter with Bodie and Doyle with the receptionist of a shabby B & B in town - although they seem to like their room!
The final act is suspenseful too, as Bodie and Doyle are caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse with their antagonists. It's interesting to note here that Doyle's previous time as a police officer (before joining CI5) leads him to make a crucial judgment of integrity.
All in all, an entertaining and suspenseful episode that raises some important issues, and gets Bodie and Doyle really working as a team as they attempt to right a terrible wrong.
