This is one of those Danger Man / Secret Agent episodes where things do not appear as they are. John Drake is on a manhunt, but is he taking the investigation down the right path? In the end we of course find out.
This story also gives a glimpse as to how a small, tight knit community may behave when a stranger appears in its midst (in this case John Drake) and attempts to remove its leading citizen. Toward the end of the show the community is tempted to turn on our secret agent, but because Drake shows no fear (he rarely does), the situation does not escalate.
Keep your eyes on the character Magnus Sutherland -a man chock full of braggadocio and puritan values- who is endowed with some great lines of dialog. Sutherland is played by Nigel Green, who also appeared in the 1/2 hour Danger Man episode 'The Girl Who Liked GI's'. The actor is at his best here though, putting on a powerful Scottish Brogue and being quite the intimidating one.
Another return performance is put in by the lovely Francesca Annis, who we also saw in the brilliantly crafted 1 hour episode 'No Marks For Servility' (my personal favorite). Her character Sheila again falls for Drake. I first saw Francesca play the mother of Paul Atreides in the original 'Dune' movie.
Character Actor Finlay Currie, who guest starred in a 1/2 Danger Man called 'The Gallows Tree', is an interesting addition here because that earlier episode was based on the same premise of Drake seeking out a spy who was long thought to be dead. Finlay plays differing roles in the two installments however.
Finally, a pop quiz: See if you recognize the 'Angus McKinnon' character from one of the 1/2 hour episodes. Hint: he was sporting a beard in the earlier show.
This story also gives a glimpse as to how a small, tight knit community may behave when a stranger appears in its midst (in this case John Drake) and attempts to remove its leading citizen. Toward the end of the show the community is tempted to turn on our secret agent, but because Drake shows no fear (he rarely does), the situation does not escalate.
Keep your eyes on the character Magnus Sutherland -a man chock full of braggadocio and puritan values- who is endowed with some great lines of dialog. Sutherland is played by Nigel Green, who also appeared in the 1/2 hour Danger Man episode 'The Girl Who Liked GI's'. The actor is at his best here though, putting on a powerful Scottish Brogue and being quite the intimidating one.
Another return performance is put in by the lovely Francesca Annis, who we also saw in the brilliantly crafted 1 hour episode 'No Marks For Servility' (my personal favorite). Her character Sheila again falls for Drake. I first saw Francesca play the mother of Paul Atreides in the original 'Dune' movie.
Character Actor Finlay Currie, who guest starred in a 1/2 Danger Man called 'The Gallows Tree', is an interesting addition here because that earlier episode was based on the same premise of Drake seeking out a spy who was long thought to be dead. Finlay plays differing roles in the two installments however.
Finally, a pop quiz: See if you recognize the 'Angus McKinnon' character from one of the 1/2 hour episodes. Hint: he was sporting a beard in the earlier show.