.....with intricate plotlines, believable characters and emotive, powerful
acting (remember when acting was actually like that and a viewer could
be swept up by the incisive characterizations, even if you didn't like the
character that much). Patrick Wymark, fresh from "The Plane Makers"
triumph is still Sir John Wilder with new fields to conquer, this time
Bligh Constructions, a family business run by the rascally Caswell Bligh
(Clifford Evans) and his son Kenneth (Peter Barkworth) who gradually
warms to the idea that the only way he is going to get ahead is with a
shakeup of the firm!!
Even as one of the reviewers mentioned, I found the boardroom wheeling
and dealing a bit over my head but I was swept along by the forcefulness
of the narrative. The third series seems slightly a let down even though
the Machiavellian Michael Jayston enters as Wilder's new secretary
Dowling, a couple of the main characters are gone (Barkworth and
Rosemary Leach) and they are missed.
What can you say about Patrick Wymark - he's absolutely electrifying -
you are hanging on his every word, hoping and usually getting a
scene where he commands all eyes and ears - bullying, commanding,
manipulative. Sir John meets Susan Weldon (Leach) from the Board of
Exports and their attraction is instant - he wants to see some classified/
top secret documents and is not above sleeping with her to get them
but he finds her more than a match for him in intelligence and with a
sprinkle of deviousness!! She falls in love with him and hopes he will
eventually leave his wife (from the start of the series marital relations
are strained) but even though his feelings are deep, his wife Pamela
has the money and he has no intention of jeopardising his freedom to
pursue his ambition.
The second series is where it all comes to a crescendo. Caswell Bligh
and Susan team up as an "odd couple" of business when they realise
that the manipulations that Wilder put through a year previously to
prop up the Export Board was only temporary and he knew it!!
Everyone has their shining moment - Don Henderson (Jack Watling)
bought in as Wilder's secretary and at times lackey, is heading toward
a breakdown - he knows he has more to offer and the two episodes
where he comes to a conclusion about the rest of his life feature
terrific acting from Watling. Kenneth, grudgingly admiring of Wilder,
realises that he doesn't have the killer instinct. When his father announces
that he is coming back to the company it's the motivation that Kenneth
needs to look at different opportunities. With his father's absence he was
coming into his own but now realises he could spend the rest of his
working days as his father's office boy!!
Again the second series sees the fabulous Barbara Murray give it all she
has. Once Pamela decides to leave John, her character for so long
charming, brittle, the perfect wife and hostess develops a backbone of
steel!! From the time of her confrontation with a smarmy young
artist who informs her that "she's not young anymore" to another
showdown, this time with Henderson who suddenly realises that
Pamela cares very much about money and the determination not to
let John get his hands on her share far outweighs John's paltry feelings
about wealth. Penelope Leach is marvellous - her earlier dewy love for
John has now turned vitriolic - their scenes are mesmerizing. "You've
turned into a proper......" John says at one point, fortunately things look
rosier for Susan with marriage and a transfer to the Treasury Department
on the horizon.
Among other characters who make their mark - George Sewell as Wilder's
business and personal rival Haggadan who offers Pamela a happier future
if she's brave enough to take it. Ian Holm as an officious public servant
who almost brings Wilder down by threatening to expose the affair and
Alfred Burke as a building/union manager.
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