The Acorn Syndrome

Bodie and Doyle inadvertently get caught up on the tail of East German terrorists, leading to a hostage situation on a housing estate.

From there, they get a valuable lead on the terrorists being involved in the stealing of top secret plans of a new high-tech tank - and a kidnapping that hinges on these plans being handed over to the enemy in exchange for the schoolgirl daughter of a trusted employee of the weapons company.

This has always been one of my favourite episodes - and, in a way, is the archetypal Professionals story.

We get action, intrigue, suspense, car chases, shoot-outs and a good dollop of humour into the mix. The opening scenes of the boys collecting Cowley's valuable antique desk from a restoration company (and strapping it atop their car) can only end in tears - and their confrontation with the disgruntled Cow is a joy to behold.

Bodie and Doyle's detective work is good too, and there's an amusing scene where they visit a private girls' school - and meet their match in one of the pupils.

The climax builds nicely in the final act, as they close in on the kidnappers - being not unlike the New Avengers episode 'Hostage' from a few years earlier.

This is a well-paced and action-packed story that showcases The Professionals at their best.