Ancient History was one of the more intelligent and harrowing Kavanagh episodes. While a step down, Diplomatic Baggage is still worthwhile, with a gripping story and good acting. It does start off slow, but the script is intelligent, the story is a gripping one concerning the ambassador's daughter accused of murder with the subplot of Matt moving into the new flat, the direction is good and of course the production values and music are excellent. As is the acting, with John Thaw coming off best as Kavanagh, and Julian Curry excellent as the prosecutor, along with an alluring Lena Headey and a sincere Michael Feast. Overall, very good. 9/10 Bethany Cox
2 Reviews
Diplomatic Baggage
Prismark1010 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Sir Alan Jackson is the newly appointed ambassador to Austria. His joy is short lived.
An Austrian journalist Lisa Auerbach reveals a dark secret and she is later found dead in a drab rundown hotel.
Jackson's daughter Natasha is charged for her murder as she was seen leaving the hotel with some blood on her clothes.
This should had been a straightforward defence case for Kavanagh. Natasha appears to be truthful and straightforward.
However a shadowy government official is rather too keen to save Alan Jackson from being embroiled in scandal. As if having a daughter up on a murder charge is not scandalous enough.
This was an episode that was sent off kilter by the government official and his machinations such as trying to nobble witnesses.
I found it unsatisfactory that Kavanagh allowed the defendant to backtrack later at the witness stand which rather sealed her fate with the jury.
It was an episode that took a dark turn but I thought was dissatisfying.
There were some side plots. Peter Foxcott QC rekindling an old relationship. Kavanagh's son Matt living in new digs for his university. I did wonder if Kavanagh ever thought how his son could afford such palatial rooms in London.
It was an episode where actor Julian Curry plays the prosecuting barrister. He was better known as Claude Erskine Brown in Rumpole of the Bailey.
An Austrian journalist Lisa Auerbach reveals a dark secret and she is later found dead in a drab rundown hotel.
Jackson's daughter Natasha is charged for her murder as she was seen leaving the hotel with some blood on her clothes.
This should had been a straightforward defence case for Kavanagh. Natasha appears to be truthful and straightforward.
However a shadowy government official is rather too keen to save Alan Jackson from being embroiled in scandal. As if having a daughter up on a murder charge is not scandalous enough.
This was an episode that was sent off kilter by the government official and his machinations such as trying to nobble witnesses.
I found it unsatisfactory that Kavanagh allowed the defendant to backtrack later at the witness stand which rather sealed her fate with the jury.
It was an episode that took a dark turn but I thought was dissatisfying.
There were some side plots. Peter Foxcott QC rekindling an old relationship. Kavanagh's son Matt living in new digs for his university. I did wonder if Kavanagh ever thought how his son could afford such palatial rooms in London.
It was an episode where actor Julian Curry plays the prosecuting barrister. He was better known as Claude Erskine Brown in Rumpole of the Bailey.
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