The Pied Piper of Hambledown

"Pied Piper of Hambledown" was the second episode shot of DEPARTMENT S, and it has all the trappings of a prestige pilot.

Donald James's tight script does a great job introducing all the primary characters, their names, and what they do at Department S. We learn flamboyant author Jason King is new to the team, they're part of Interpol, and African diplomat Sir Curtis Seretse is their boss. Everything is explained naturally and organically.

The episode is shot on 35mm film and directed by Roy Ward Baker, the famous Hammer horror auteur, and you can feel his experienced cinematic hand. RWB does a splendid job building uneasy suspense during the pre-credits teaser, when a young woman wakes in her small village to find it deserted.

I don't want to give away more than that, one of the best thing about this very strong DEPARTMENT S episode is all it's twists and turns. The other is the hugely appealing cast: Peter Wyngarde is a uniquely charismatic theatrical actor; Joel Fabriani has a low key charm that brings his James Bond-lite a little something extra; and Rosemary Nicols is a smart, witty, fashion forward early STEM gal (and the best legs on television, 1969).

Highly recommended series, at least when it's at its best, and this is one of them. Also highly recommended to start here as your first episode.

The opening sequence, before the credits, is longer than usual, but so terrific. Yes, it reminds me an AVENGERS episode. The common element between DEPARTMENT S and AVENGERS is the mystery one. Here, it is excellent, making it one of the best of the whole show. But, for a series buff as I am, it remains a bit predictable, but efficient enough to rivet you till the end. Plus, it takes place in the British countryside, in a small village, among cottages and manors. The resolution is not new, as I just said. Directed by the Hammer film movie maker Roy Ward Baker, a specialist of this kind of thriller.