Another espionage plot but some clever twists make this a strong episode. Despite its relative complexity the plot is very solid and keeps you guessing all the way through.

Fave scenes include the first shoot-out when the lads are transporting Batak across town. I'm not quite sure how Doyley sensed the danger, though, and given the truck driver was part of the caper, why didn't the lads pay any attention to him?

I enjoyed the fight sequence with Doyle and the Bulgarian heavies, too. Despite his hammering, Cowley shows no mercy and criticises him over the quality of the camera footage. But Doyle fires right back: "What did you expect - Cecil Beaton?!".

And there's the occasional burst of humour, too. For example Doyle's comment that Bodie looking after the lovely concert pianist Anna ("good with her hands") is "probably takin' piano lessons!"

Bodie's "Bulgarian Mojo" joke is a reference to the 1978 assassination of Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov in London, murdered by the use of an umbrella which had had its ferrule dipped in ricin.

Granada Minus viewers should seek out a full-length copy as the broadcast version lops off a vital bit of dialogue which proves Anna's innocence.

The shoot-out at the end is a little routine and how does Bodie know Anna is in danger?

Anyway, terrific episode!

Anna: "Are you another journalist, like him? [Doyle]"
Bodie: "He's a music reporter."
Anna: "Oh. And what are you?"
Bodie (in the Awful Grey Leather Jacket): "FASHION!! Haute Couture..."

Good espionage story. Mostly, the plot works.

Other good things:

Bodie in black again. Too bad he has to spoil it with the Awful Plaid and the Awful Grey Jackets.

Doyle in glasses as "John Hare". A tiger disguised as a pussy cat. Notice the tiny sneer on his upper lip as he does the "Burke and..." put-down to Michael. (I had to have that explained to me: apparently B & H were graverobbers.)

The marvelous line Doyle delivers to Bodie: "You know your trouble don't you? Underneath that hard shell you're just a... great big softie.' <G> Watch their expressions.

Doyle, naked to the waist, holding in his tummy while the doctor examines him. Jeans are a bit tight? Also notice that he winces nicely when prodded. Not stoic, our Doyle.

Bodie does his disgusted tough-guy expression when Anna starts screaming after Michael is shot. He also uses the same "caressing" gesture on her hair that he used on Kathie Mason ('Hunter/Hunted') when he still believes she is a killer.

Carol Royle (Anna) does an excellent job here and looks quite lovely.

Not so good things:

Bodie is taken by the bad guys far too easily. Big plot flaw given Bodie's history and nature.

Otherwise, I have no complaints.

The exchange of spies at the start of the episode (much of which was cut by you-know-who) was filmed in Black Park, Iver, by Pinewood Studios, just west of Uxbridge. (Thanks to Tony Mackay)

The "King's Lodge" house at the episode's finale is actually St Hubert's in St Hubert's Lane, Gerrard's Cross (Thanks to Tony Mackay).

While transporting they spy across town, Bodie's jacket appears to change. However I don't think this is the case and he's actually wearing his infamous grey one throughout - the lighting conditions on certain camera angles merely make it appear to be a dark colour in certain shots.

In a scene towards the end of the story enemy agent Paul ends a phone conversation with the word "Spasiba" - that's Russian ("Thank you"), not Bulgarian. (Thanks to Annie Routley).