I have just watched the first episode of this series, I will watch the next episode shortly. After watching the episode I am disappointed that I won't get to see the other lost episodes as I understand only the first 2 episodes survived which is a real shame because I really think I would have enjoyed seeing them. This opening episode was introduced by Rupert Davies, probably best remembered for his Maigret series in 1960 (which I really enjoyed and consider that series to be the best of any Maigret versions especially the most recent of them on itv) and this episode starred Michael Redgrave and Anne Todd both very good actors. I have enjoyed watching them in many an old film and their performances here didn't disappoint. The story was interesting and although the plot was pretty straightforward there was still a twist to the final act but in spite of that the play held my interest and I enjoyed watching the actors play their parts. Given the age of the episode, I imagine that retrospect will allow others to perhaps dismiss it as cliched I always think that to really enjoy these older TV shows and films it helps to try and imagine yourself in that time when the episode first aired and try to judge it based on that rather than just considering it by today's standards. Having said that I do think this episode holds its own just on the performances alone. I could almost see this as a stage play as most of the episodes key scenes are inside and what is filmed outside isn't really essential to the story. I enjoyed the atmosphere that the actors gave the story and the way they effortlessly allowed the story to develop. The story is about an old German veteran of WW2 who worked in intelligence and was a very effective asset who after the war drifted aimlessly and penniless around Europe, ending up in Paris until 27 years later an old comrade who now works for East German intelligence comes looking for him to undertake one last job with the reward of seeing his wife, whom he had thought dead. In return for killing someone this former agent is offered the chance to take his wife with him back to the West along with a handsome pay off so that they can live their remaining years together. However, once back in East Germany this veteran intelligence agent starts to realise that nothing is what he thought and that there is a reason that he was sought out and recruited for this one last target. I would recommend anyone to see this especially those who enjoy these older TV shows with some great veteran actors.
