Appropriate Adults (8 Jan. 1995)

When an 8 year old girl disappears near the local woods, foul play is suspected as circumstances point to a seemingly harmless 20 year old with Down's Syndrome.

Director:

Herbert Wise

Writers:

R.D. Wingfield (characters created by), Michael Russell (screenplay)

Stars:

David Jason, Bruce Alexander, Matthew Marsh

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David Jason	...	DI Frost
Bruce Alexander	...	Supt Mullett
Matthew Marsh	...	DCI Hawkes
Rupert Holliday-Evans	...	Richard Martin (as Rupert Holliday Evans)
Harriet Bagnall	...	Sally Martin
Timmy Lang	...	Billy Conrad
Vilma Hollingbery	...	Jeanette Conrad
Arthur Whybrow	...	Dave Conrad
Elizabeth Estensen	...	Susan Mackintosh
John Lyons	...	DS Toolan
Nick Reding	...	Parker
Heather Canning	...	Mrs Tenant
Mandy Hoskins	...	Jane Kennedy
Rob Edwards	...	Dr Drabble
Karen Lewis	...	Maddie Knight

Storyline

Frost investigates the disappearance of 8 year-old Tricia Martin. The last person to see her alive was 19 year-old Billy Conrad who has Downs Syndrome and has the mental capacity of a child. He regularly played with children of that age and seems to be keeping a secret. Supt. Mullett is concerned about the number of car being taken by joy riders and expects Frost to do something about it. Frost has to deal with a new DCI who's idea of teamwork comes up against his own more individualistic style.

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Plot Keywords:

down's syndrome | billiards | whodunit | identifying a dead body | kidnapping | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 January 1995 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITV Productions, Excelsior, Yorkshire Television (YTV)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min 102 min (DVD)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first episode to feature the opening titles that would be used until the end of the series in 2010.

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Quotes

D.I. Frost: Billy likes playin' with children then, does he?
Dave Conrad: The children take him at face value. A lot of people can't do that.

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Connections

Referenced in David Jason: Frost and Me: Favourite Story Line (2008)

User Reviews

prepare to have your attitude challenged.

Billy Conrad is 20 and has Downs syndrome. He is accepted by the local children as a playmate. He lives at home with his loving parents and life is fine.

Suddenly it all goes badly wrong. He is he prime suspect for the murder of a little girl.

As the story progresses we learn more about Billy and discover the person behind the label. He is vilified, labelled, taunted, tolerated or championed, depending on the attitudes of the people concerned. Seeing these different approaches to Billy causes us to reflect inwardly about our own standpoints.

Frost is rightfully angry about the death of the girl. But watch how his attitude develops throughout the film. There is some superb acting and some excellent small touches easy to miss. Look for the officer escorting Billy in the van. He appears to "do the right thing" but listen to his comments and wonder. The interaction between the two mothers is poignant.

The star of the show is Billy himself - excellent acting, courageously done.