The casting of not one, but two legendary performers enliven an episode that drags a little in the middle, but has one of the bleakest endings of the series so far.
Chuck Spiller (Brian Cox) is released from prison and returns to his wife Annie (Elaine Donnelly) at their rural home. He has some money, given to him by Martin Blueck (Peter Cushing), whose experiences of the holocaust have left him with a kinship for those behind bars. Chuck goes to see Blueck at his local pet shop, to offer him his thanks, at which point Martin introduces him to his collection of wild animals, most of whom appear to live in cages with open doors. Martin offers Chuck a job, to feed the animals whilst he is away.
Peter Cushing would already have been a legendary figure from his horror movie days, but in his late sixties was starting to wind down his career. It's still a memorable and vicious turn, as Blueck's true intentions are realised on the hapless Chuck. Brian Cox was in his thirties and already with a number of TV credits, but was six years away from his role in "Manhunter" and probably 20 still from when he's start to land the best roles of his career. Chuck is less a genuine character and more a foil for things to happen to, so whilst there's not much for Cox to do with the role, he's fine nonetheless. Elaine Donnelly is the third main character and does well. Brighter than her husband, she susses both that something is wrong, who is behind it and what the rules are much quicker than he.
The double black endings are a highlight, though it doesn't hold up to that much scrutiny, if you really think about it, as electricity appears to be carried by things that aren't metal, still I'm not quite as high on this episode as some of the other reviewers are. It takes a while to get going with its ideas, which you'll work out straight away and sags a bit in the middle. Performances are good though and Cushing is always worth admission.
Chuck Spiller (Brian Cox) is released from prison and returns to his wife Annie (Elaine Donnelly) at their rural home. He has some money, given to him by Martin Blueck (Peter Cushing), whose experiences of the holocaust have left him with a kinship for those behind bars. Chuck goes to see Blueck at his local pet shop, to offer him his thanks, at which point Martin introduces him to his collection of wild animals, most of whom appear to live in cages with open doors. Martin offers Chuck a job, to feed the animals whilst he is away.
Peter Cushing would already have been a legendary figure from his horror movie days, but in his late sixties was starting to wind down his career. It's still a memorable and vicious turn, as Blueck's true intentions are realised on the hapless Chuck. Brian Cox was in his thirties and already with a number of TV credits, but was six years away from his role in "Manhunter" and probably 20 still from when he's start to land the best roles of his career. Chuck is less a genuine character and more a foil for things to happen to, so whilst there's not much for Cox to do with the role, he's fine nonetheless. Elaine Donnelly is the third main character and does well. Brighter than her husband, she susses both that something is wrong, who is behind it and what the rules are much quicker than he.
The double black endings are a highlight, though it doesn't hold up to that much scrutiny, if you really think about it, as electricity appears to be carried by things that aren't metal, still I'm not quite as high on this episode as some of the other reviewers are. It takes a while to get going with its ideas, which you'll work out straight away and sags a bit in the middle. Performances are good though and Cushing is always worth admission.