This was never one of my favorite episodes but, over the years it has grown on me more, and it's now one I really enjoy.
The plot is quite simple - after a tip-off from a reliable informant, a drugs raid on the notorious gangster Coogan brothers' mansion yields nothing. Worse still, one of the brothers dies whilst in CI5 custody. A full-scale enquiry and hearing is convened, which could spell the end for Cowley's elite team should they be found guilty.
Apparently, Brian Clemens was inspired to write this episode in response to the ever-increasing criticisms of the show due to its violence by the 'Mary Whitehouse' brigade - and his elite force is literally put on trial-by-TV. Will they somehow get the miracle they need to win round the jury - not to mention a very clever prosecution attorney hired by the remaining Coogan brother?
The tension in this one builds nicely and, for once, it does look like CI5 are up against impossible odds. It does perhaps get quite necessarily 'talky' during the court scenes - but Lisa Harrow is excellent and believable as the attorney out to prove CI5's guilt - and Gordon Jackson does an equally good turn as Cowley, passionately pleading on his squad's behalf.
Some viewers may recognize guest star Michael Billington from his 'UFO' days of Colonel Foster - and others no-doubt will recognize Christopher Ellison as Burnside from The Bill (as well as his appearance in a season one episode of The Professionals itself). This does mean too that at one point we do get two actors in the same room who both unsuccessfully auditioned for the part of James Bond - Michael and Lewis!
Look out too for the Coogan brothers mansion - famously used as Steed's house in season 1 of The New Avengers, as well as the setting for the Brian Clemens film Blind Terror.
All in all, an unusual and powerful episode that sees CI5 battle more with words, rather than guns and car chases - and where they really feel the heat as the walls close in around them.
The plot is quite simple - after a tip-off from a reliable informant, a drugs raid on the notorious gangster Coogan brothers' mansion yields nothing. Worse still, one of the brothers dies whilst in CI5 custody. A full-scale enquiry and hearing is convened, which could spell the end for Cowley's elite team should they be found guilty.
Apparently, Brian Clemens was inspired to write this episode in response to the ever-increasing criticisms of the show due to its violence by the 'Mary Whitehouse' brigade - and his elite force is literally put on trial-by-TV. Will they somehow get the miracle they need to win round the jury - not to mention a very clever prosecution attorney hired by the remaining Coogan brother?
The tension in this one builds nicely and, for once, it does look like CI5 are up against impossible odds. It does perhaps get quite necessarily 'talky' during the court scenes - but Lisa Harrow is excellent and believable as the attorney out to prove CI5's guilt - and Gordon Jackson does an equally good turn as Cowley, passionately pleading on his squad's behalf.
Some viewers may recognize guest star Michael Billington from his 'UFO' days of Colonel Foster - and others no-doubt will recognize Christopher Ellison as Burnside from The Bill (as well as his appearance in a season one episode of The Professionals itself). This does mean too that at one point we do get two actors in the same room who both unsuccessfully auditioned for the part of James Bond - Michael and Lewis!
Look out too for the Coogan brothers mansion - famously used as Steed's house in season 1 of The New Avengers, as well as the setting for the Brian Clemens film Blind Terror.
All in all, an unusual and powerful episode that sees CI5 battle more with words, rather than guns and car chases - and where they really feel the heat as the walls close in around them.