The Lovers

Baravian President Pablo Gomez and his wife Maria visit London. Their government suspects Baravian exiles may be plotting against them, so Drake's old enemy (Michael Ripper) enlists John Drake to protect the couple.

Drake soon gets word of a bomb which has been planted to go off. Most likely, the weapon's targeting the visiting dignitaries. Drake has their residence checked thoroughly and questions every exile about the plot, but when nothing turns up, not even the Gomez's are above suspicion.

A rather solid episode with a killer ending. Kept its cards close to its chest as Drake tries to find the bomb. Earlier an old bomb maker contacts him, informing r Ming him that he sold a bomb to someone - someone who want to eliminate a powerful couple. Naturally it's the Baravian President and his wife (Maxine Audley).

Drake has a VERY unusual assignment. Instead of being asked by a NATO power to do some mission, he's approached by an old enemy--an enemy agent from Baravia. It seems that despite working on different sides, this guy trusts Drake to do the right thing---and the right thing includes protecting the a dictator while he and his wife visit London. After all, it would NOT help relations between the nations if a killing happens in the UK. Drake accepts and soon meets with the dictator's wife to discuss the threat--a threat that turns out to be very real. Who is behind all this and how, well, that's something you're going to need to find out on your own.

All in all, this is a very taut and well written episode. Occasionally shows went too quickly, though the pacing here was just fine. And, as usual, Patrick McGoohan is great as the ever-competent and clever 'fixer'.

Dull story about Pat trying to protect a foreign couple, rulers of their country, at their embassy in London has only McGoohan's masterful command and self-assurance to recommend it. He's got to prevent a bomb from blowing them up but the scenario is anything but exciting.

There's a nice little juicy role for Hammer Films regular Michael Ripper as a creepy old adversary of Pat's, but the talky script is a yawner. Especially irritating is the veddy British overlay even on the foreign dignitaries, as guest star Maxine Audley exudes Brit stiff-upper-lip demeanor, hardly what one would expect from a role calling for some fiery reactions instead. Why not cast a Latin actress instead?