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EPISODE TWO: EPITAPH FOR A HERO
Original UK transmission: 4th October 1966
Filmed: October 1965
Screenplay by Terry Nation
Directed by John Moxey
Synopsis: The Baron and David Marlowe come across the funeral of an ex-soldier with whom he had served in the war. However, as is so often the case, all is not what it seems. Jim Carey (Paul Maxwell), who had been awarded the silver star for apparently saving his life during the conflict, has staged the funeral in order to attract The Baron's attention to a scheme which he has been planning. Naturally Carey, whom The Baron had seen 'cheat, steal and lie his way across Germany', is planning a robbery. To be more precise, a jewel robbery for which he needs The Baron's help in order to dispose of the proceeds. An initial meeting with Carey at a steam baths leaves him non-plussed, and it is only when Templeton-Green coaxes him into getting involved and provides him with Cordelia Winfield to assist him that he actually agrees to join in with Carey's scheme. However, it is not the old soldier who is running the plot, but Helga Sorenson (Patricia Haynes), a beautiful young lady(obviously) who is considered a genius. The Baron disappears off the radar for a while to the extent that not even Cordelia can get hold of him, and even when she does trace the gang's hideout to a funfair, she is held hostage to make sure that The Baron plays his part in the robbery as planned, especially when he injures Carey in a fight which incapacitates him. Upon the return from the raid, The Baron manages to outwit the gang, and the truth about Carey is finally revealed.
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General observations: Not a very strong episode to follow a series opener which was mildly disappointing, Epitaph for a Hero is probably one of the weakest episodes in the whole Baron canon. Conceived at a slightly confused time (for it features both Paul Ferris and Sue Lloyd), this rather slow-paced heist caper has some fairly embarrassing studio sets, typically very average direction and a faint whiff of utter predictability about it, even if this only the second episode. The only slightly strange thing about it is that Nosher Powell, who is normally known only as a stunt man, has quite a major role in the episode, and is actually refreshingly engaging as one of the heavies in the gang. Other than that, this offering represents the slightly confused start which The Baron enjoyed, being as it was part replacement for The Saint, with the fact that Mannering gets involved in an old friend's caper and commits a crime, and part experimental ITC show, with a prominent American lead, a strong female sidekick and made in colour. Judged by this episode alone, it looks as if this melange is not really working very well. Fortunately, the improvements are about to arrive.
"The Baron" Copyright 1966-67 ITC Entertainment
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