User Reviews

In this episode, a housewife (in an excellent performance by Anna Massey), hears from an old friend (a man that she went to school with). That man, who she hasn't seen in years, asks for a reference for his new job. At first, she cheerfully agrees to it. However, is not long before she is visited by a rather intimidating government official, who rather imperiously begins to grill her with highly personal questions. She realizes that her friend is applying for a military job of a highly sensitive nature: specifically, the development of the most horrible weapons of war (such as napalm). She is rather shocked by this revelation, especially because she and her friend both had histories participating in antiwar demonstrations. Upon visiting her friend in person, we get a hint that they may have once been a couple (or at least had a sexual relationship). She walks away from his apartment completely disillusioned and heartbroken, and wondering whether she should refuse to give the reference. I really enjoyed this episode. Even though it deals with 1960s politics, the messages are still relevant today. How many of you, reading this in the 21st century, have found yourself, in recent years, shocked at the changed political views of someone with whom you were once close?