This could've been the penultimate episode of Callan. It gives all the classic espionage bits: detective work, sex forcing defection, a well dressed young hood and an agent pinned to his section. However, in the span of about 72 hours Callan and Susan Morris fall in love and talk of marriage with Callan leaving his section - a no-no in his world that comes with imprisonment or death. That is a HUGE leap of faith for the audience to make. Callan and Morris, both jaded, are in their late 30s or early 40s and people generally don't go on about marriage after three days. Other than that, the espionage part of the plot is tight about a high ranking British official who is known to be going over to the Eastern Bloc, or Russia, because of his particular dalliances in bed will undo him in the UK - maybe even in 1972 it was a little well worn. And LeCarre's "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" broke similar ground of romance and tired spies. All the Callan episodes are a good way to spend an hour or so if you like to think about what is being said instead of looking for gadgets and boobs (literal and physical). This boasts a good performance by a young Richard Morant - who looks like he is 17 but in reality was 26 or 27 years of age - and an original fight scene at the end of the episode.
2 Reviews
Charlie Says It's Goodbye
Prismark103 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A renowned and wealthy civil servant called James Palliser (Dennis Price) is suspected to defect to Poland and be united with his male lover.
Callan is sent back into action by Hunter. Callan is offered some overdue leave but he declines. Although in the previous episode Callan was desperate for a holiday.
Komorowski is the East European handler who is arranging Palliser's defection. He holds back the news to Palliser that his lover died during interrogation.
Callan has been told not to use extreme force unless it's necessary. Hunter is rather surprised to learn that Callan has fallen for Palliser's friend. A widow called Susan.
However she is unsure about Callan's work with the security services. Her husband killed himself after being investigated by the security services.
I thought the brusque way the East Europeans were treating Palliser. I was puzzled as to why he wanted to go and live in Eastern Europe not matter how appealing his lover may be. It was bound to be a life of misery.
Even the whirlwind romance with Callan and Susan was hard to take and you just know it will end in tears.
There was a nice side story concerning Komorowski who had his own agenda.
This was one of the last roles by Dennis Price, he clearly looks bloated here.
Callan is sent back into action by Hunter. Callan is offered some overdue leave but he declines. Although in the previous episode Callan was desperate for a holiday.
Komorowski is the East European handler who is arranging Palliser's defection. He holds back the news to Palliser that his lover died during interrogation.
Callan has been told not to use extreme force unless it's necessary. Hunter is rather surprised to learn that Callan has fallen for Palliser's friend. A widow called Susan.
However she is unsure about Callan's work with the security services. Her husband killed himself after being investigated by the security services.
I thought the brusque way the East Europeans were treating Palliser. I was puzzled as to why he wanted to go and live in Eastern Europe not matter how appealing his lover may be. It was bound to be a life of misery.
Even the whirlwind romance with Callan and Susan was hard to take and you just know it will end in tears.
There was a nice side story concerning Komorowski who had his own agenda.
This was one of the last roles by Dennis Price, he clearly looks bloated here.
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