It could be the end of the road for Rumpole as he is irritable after a toothache.
Rumpole upsets Judge Oliphant at a murder trial and then Claude Erskine-Brown alleges that Rumpole spoke to the accused during the recess.
Rumpole's conduct is now scrutinised by the Bar Council. Worse Ballard is defending Rumpole.
It was not the best episode, it was obvious that Claude got the wrong end of the stick. There is a fine cameo from Peter Sallis as the accused.
This was the final episode of Rumpole of the Bailey. Thames Television lost its ITV franchise.
There is a celebratory ending as past and present cast members get together for one last time.
Apparently Rumpole might be rebooted soon. This time as a female barrister. The big problem is that legal procedures have changed a lot in the last 30 years.
It's all cards on the table and written witness statements exchanged in advance these days. A wily fox like Rumpole might find that his teeth have been blunted.