Rumpole Returns. This was a one off feature length Christmas special as the future of the show hung in balance. Leo McKern was unsure whether he wanted to do more Rumpole.
There was some location shooting in Miami as the Rumpoles try to enjoy their retirement. Rumpole looks bored ogling at ladies in swimming costumes on Miami Beach.
The chambers in London are happy to see the back of him and they have two replacements for his room.
A fatal stabbing in an underground tube station by a meek tax clerk has Phyllida Erskine-Brown asking for Rumpole's help.
Rumpole is straight back and eager to help radical young lawyer Ken Cracknell. After all Rumpole is an expert on blood and the accused allegedly wrote a bloodstained note after stabbing the victim.
However Rumpole is on a losing streak against Judge Bullingham. When Rumpole takes over in an indecent publishing case, his flowery language sends his client to jail.
The longer length makes the episode look flabby. Hence why Rumpole handles two cases here. Even some of the location shooting is a bit iffy. I thought some of the Miami locations looked like parts of England on a sunny day.
Phyllida Erskine-Brown seemed to be more than just flirty with the young hotshot Cracknell.
There was a funny bit where Mrs Rumpole sees a mucky magazine in the house (not realising that it is evidence) and thinks Rumpole is looking to spice things up. Instead of being offended she dresses up for him, much to Rumpole's confusion.
The murder case was a little too convenient to solve. It featured a religious cult based in Miami so Rumpole's son could do a little snooping for him.