In a departure from their usual missions, Bodie and Doyle go undercover (as a local cop and traveling salesman respectively) in a rural village. They are on the trail of 'lord of the manor' Colonel Sangster - who appears to be involved in a lucrative and clever racket involving art and espionage via a customs loophole - and his own private airfield.
Despite this promising set-up, this episode is a bit of a plodder. It also requires the viewer to pay special attention to the more 'talky' plot points - especially those concerning Cowley, as he maps out his plan with the powers-that-be to finally catch the slippery and smug Sangster in the act - and 'ground' his activities.
There are some good scenes along the way to be fair - Doyle's little dance to the music on his radio as he unpacks his bags at the police station, the chat between the boys in the village pub (where they pretend not to know each other!), and the chilling death scene of the unfortunate photographer as he has a snarling dog set upon him in his basement studio at the hands of Sangster's henchmen.
The ending is swift and action-packed, though doesn't perhaps quite deliver the climax it promises - as the boys seek to make a desperate bid to outwit Sangster's gang in a climactic tussle at the airfield.
So, not one of the best episodes - perhaps a tighter direction, a sharper plot and less talk would have improved it. However, as with all Professionals episodes there's still plenty to enjoy - and guest stars Moray Watson and Prunella Gee are effective as the high-living and seemingly above-the-law Sangsters.
Despite this promising set-up, this episode is a bit of a plodder. It also requires the viewer to pay special attention to the more 'talky' plot points - especially those concerning Cowley, as he maps out his plan with the powers-that-be to finally catch the slippery and smug Sangster in the act - and 'ground' his activities.
There are some good scenes along the way to be fair - Doyle's little dance to the music on his radio as he unpacks his bags at the police station, the chat between the boys in the village pub (where they pretend not to know each other!), and the chilling death scene of the unfortunate photographer as he has a snarling dog set upon him in his basement studio at the hands of Sangster's henchmen.
The ending is swift and action-packed, though doesn't perhaps quite deliver the climax it promises - as the boys seek to make a desperate bid to outwit Sangster's gang in a climactic tussle at the airfield.
So, not one of the best episodes - perhaps a tighter direction, a sharper plot and less talk would have improved it. However, as with all Professionals episodes there's still plenty to enjoy - and guest stars Moray Watson and Prunella Gee are effective as the high-living and seemingly above-the-law Sangsters.