Sleepin_Dragon

Sylvia is undercover, posing as PA to Lee Hamilton, the widow of a diplomat, working and living at her lavish home, to keep an eye on a South American politician. Sylvia is thrown into direct action when the body of a man is found in the water.

A very enjoyable and different type of episode. The show generally has a cosy 'local' vibe about it; this one didn't. If I didn't know any better, I would have said the writer was given a brief and was unaware of previous episodes.

A very intriguing mystery; we were kept guessing until the final act, and I enjoyed Sylvia's interactions and storyline with Michael Priest, Nicholas Farrell showing he's still a class act. Fox's transformation was quite something; she looked so different. The makeup team did a fine job.

I must also credit Fox's performance here, and it was nice to see her fully playing the part of a spy. One gripe: the way Sylvia is seen interacting with both Riva and Lombardi was somewhat casual; as a trained spook, surely she wouldn't have let her guard down quite so freely.

8/10.

The court hears evidence from the matron, Miss Page, Cardy's right hand at the institution. She describes how the home should be run, berating Piper's methods as ineffective and lacking discipline. Thomas Rigby is brought in to give evidence; he explains firsthand what happened in his own words.

It's got my blood boiling and racing, the level of cruelty and our soulless care that seemed to be the norm at that home; it sounded like some form of prison.

Writer Peter King definitely wrote some moving storylines over the years; this was definitely one of the hardest-hitting of his works. Once again, I wonder if King had any firsthand experience; it somehow felt personal.

Wow, can you imagine what the home would have been run like under the control of Cardy and Page? It would have made Stalag Luft III look like a holiday camp.

This would be the only acting role for Simon Stevens; I'm afraid I know nothing about him, nor can I see any information on him. At least they showed a character with cerebral palsy on the show.

I know fault can be found, I won't comment, but the show did at least show people from all walks of life, a time when that genuinely wasn't always the case.

How nice to see Richard Warner back as Justice Waddington, I've not seen him for quite some time.

As for the verdict....

8/10.

The prosecution calls on their second witness, social worker Colin Harrison. He explains that he found Tom in a hysterical state, locked in a room, then took him home, and that Tom suffered an epileptic fit during the journey. Mr. Parsons suggests a 'collusion' between Harrison and Piper. Dr. Olga Mansell, a Fulchester psychiatrist, states that Tom's behavior was improving under Piper's direction. Cardy makes his case.

It's better than the last couple of episodes I've seen from that third series, definitely one of those cases that makes you feel something; right now I'm feeling a sense of anger towards Cardy. Very well acted and a thought-provoking storyline.

Mr. Parsons is put in his place for a second time; this time it's Mrs. Mansell who does the job. Surely that has to be the least diverse jury ever decided; they're all white men in suits in the same age bracket. Surely they all use the same barbershop, all wear Brut, and enjoy Match of the Day. I jest, of course.

John Harvey is excellent; what a voice! Each time I see him, I'm keen to watch Dr who episode 'The War Machines,' he's truly excellent in that.

I'm not sure I believe a single word that Cardy is saying, I get the impression that he's lying his head off, and secretly ran that institution like a wing of the Gestapo. Cardy's behaviour is barbaric, I loved the way that the wonderful Mr. Fry drew an angry response out of him, he was schooled by Fry.

8/10.