#And some references to the Czech political situation scattered jn the background. All these parts should add up to an above average whole

[thisbluespirit]

#Guess who's back! Keith Washington's back! Tell your friends! Actually his surprise return was a bit of a shock#Although he is still relegated to little more than background work as another one shot Detective gets a meatier part#This week James Cossins. He's very good as a SB sergeant under home pressures which reflect the case hes working on. A solid guest cast#That includes a pre UFO Drake (although she is offscreen for most of the episode) and the return of Watson as snakey Czech diplomat Biliak#And some references to the Czech political situation scattered jn the background. All these parts should add up to an above average whole#But something about this episode just doesn't gel. It's fine. It just doesn't exactly grip. Even Moxon is on autopilot barely mustering one#Magnificent eyebrow raise.#Also the relationship between Jordan and Moxon is showing the first signs of outright hostility that will iirc develop over the next few#Eps into the s. 2 finale

It’s an odd episode, and I’m not sure how good I’d say it is, but it stands out it my mind as the first thing that brought Michael Chapman to my attention, because there’s a predictable character arc that suddenly isn’t any more, with far more sympathy given to the housewife’s POV than is usual, so I name checked the author, impressed, and looked out for him.  And I have no regrets, so I owe this one regardless.

Special Branch: Sorry Is Just A Word (2.10, Thames, 1970)

"Very satisfactory."

"I fail to understand the cause of your satisfaction."

"A job well done and without complications - would that it were always so, Chief Superintendent."