Hopjoy Was Here: Part 1

Detective Inspector Purbright and team are called in when a random tip off leads them to an ordinary looking house, Brian Hopjoy, a commercial traveller has disappeared, and evidence of a crime is found. Further investigations turn up a grim discovery, a body has been done away with in nasty fashion, dissolved in sulphuric acid and away down the bath. Purbright is made aware that the Security Services have an interest, Hopjoy was in fact one of their Agents. Enquiries lead Purbright to Gordon Periam and his bizarre new wife Doreen, friends of Hopjoy's .

Wonderfully seventies, made pre the mobile phone and skinny latte era, how different crimes were back in the 70s. Policing, ultimately, so different to that of today.

The mortician Warlock is a little irritating, a little too big on the 'hearty' theme, but that's a minor quibble, it's a brilliant episode, really engaging, well acted, interesting story, it flows really well. It has a particularly down to Earth feel about it, there is a realism in the direction, somehow honest. Anton Rodgers is excellent as the stiff upper lipped, tweed jacket wearing Inspector Purbright. John Normington is great value too, such an underrated actor.

A great entry to the series, 9/10