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Title: Picking It Up (18 Oct 1981)
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| Episode cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| John Nettles | ... | Jim Bergerac | |
 |
Cécile Paoli | ... | Francine (as Cecile Paoli) |
| Terence Alexander | ... | Hungerford | |
| Sean Arnold | ... | Crozier | |
| Annette Badland | ... | Charlotte | |
|
|
Mela White | ... | Diamante Lil |
|
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Danny Schiller | ... | Gulliver |
| Tony Melody | ... | Chief | |
| Raymond Adamson | ... | Senator | |
| Deborah Grant | ... | Deborah | |
|
|
Lindsay Heath | ... | Kim |
|
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David Savile | ... | Gurney |
|
|
Floella Benjamin | ... | Juniper |
|
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Alan Thompson | ... | Mr. Pollender |
|
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Elizabeth Choice | ... | Mrs. Pollender (as Elisabeth Choice) |
Recovering alcoholic Jim Bergerac, a sergeant in the Jersey police force, returns to the island after a period of absence during which he has recovered from injuries sustained on the job. Nonetheless he is not considered fit enough to join the newly-formed Bureau Des Etrangers, headed by Inspector Crozier. Thus Jim does some unofficial sleuthing into the death of colleague Tom Draycott, and, helped by Draycott's girlfriend, artist Francine, uncovers a plot to sell arms to South Africa. His success in catching the culprit leads to his being accepted into the bureau though he still has to contend with the reluctance of his ex-wife Deborah, daughter of shady millionaire Charlie Hungerford, to see their daughter Kim. Written by don @ minifie-1
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There must have been something in the water in London of the 1980s. All these actors with hit shows wanted to be taken seriously as thespians. Martin Shaw had enough of The Professionals. Trevor Eve walked out of Shoestring. The latter's decision meant that creator Robert Banks Stewart went on to produce Bergerac. I wonder if he was tempted to call him Bootlace!
John Nettles is Bergerac and not a large hooter in sight. A detective sergeant in the Jersey police. Jim Bergerac, is a recovering alcoholic, just got divorced, suffered a leg injury which has put him at risk of being pensioned off with a disability.
On his way back to Jersey on the plane, Bergerac witnesses an incident. A colleague of his is seriously injured and the clue is an heavy accented man who fled an hit and run accident.
Bergerac comes across an arms dealer who might be dealing with the South African regime and thus breaching sanctions.
Bergerac has a testy relationship with everyone. His newly promoted boss, his now ex-wife, his roguish wealthy ex father in law Charlie Hungerford who I sensed grudgingly admires him.
One thing that was odd in this opening episode. Floella Benjamin seemed to have been dubbed for some reason.
It was nice opener but nothing outstanding or too action packed. I remember the first few seasons of Bergerac got a mixed reception by the critics. There are bits of Jersey you get to see and Bergerac is a maverick with a host of problems but he drives a vintage car. Not sure how he is going to chase villains in that. I'll ask Inspector Morse.