... and this is something you don't see very often.... the opening (title) sequence for the entire series, a light bulb dangling in a dark room which gets shot suddenly -- a sequence this reviewer never completely understood -- turns out to be taken from this final episode in the series. Obviously this was re-shot for the DVD collection at a later date (dismissing out of hand the possibility of time travel) but the message remains clear -- this was the definitive episode in the series, the one with the most to say about the lead character. In my review of the series as a whole for the IMDb, I made the point that this is one of the rare examples of a successful novelist being asked to "re-imagine" his own creation for a series, and how Mitchell made TV history by adding layer upon layer of conscience to Callan (not evident in the books) and ended up with a #1 show. This last episode, itself the end of a 2-parter, makes it clear what Callan really thinks of the Service and the way it operates. While not exactly spine-tingling on its own, it does make for a nice wrap-up, and Woodward delivers one of his best performances. Trivia fans will get a kick from the early mention of computers as a time-saving device, this a full decade before computing even became a part of the lingo. Recommended.
3 Reviews
A perfect end to a TV series
vonnoosh2 July 2021
Callan draws to a close with a reminder of what tue series was always all about from the very beginning with the Armchair Theatre teleplay. Callan was a loose cannon of an agent and his emotions were known to guide his actions in the job. The finale underscores that perfectly. It wasn't going to be a pitch battle of good guys versus bad guys with the bad guys suffering ultimate defeat. How often do we see that in this genre anyway?
The series ends with a proper finale and so does the 4th season which opens with Callan captured in an East German prison. He is heavily drugged and subjected to psychological torture. In the end Hunter's superior decides Callan is worth trading for but not Hunter who already arranged Callan's funeral and burial in his absence. The trade was for Richmond who is the subject of the last three episodes. Seeing the first episode of the season explains the motivations better in the last episode. The impact may be a little diminished if one were to forget or miss the beginning of the season.
Another reviewer mentions Callan shooting out the bulb in the finale which is the same type of image used for the credit sequence. I don't think there is any relation at all except that Callan is capable of shooting the bulb. Mitchell likely just added the scene because he could.
A great episode. It ends with things basically as they were when it started. Callan hating his boss for the rotten jobs he is given to do with no reward for the work except a paycheck and continued freedom such as that is since his employers already threatened to kill or imprison him. His deep resentment for being hung out to dry whenever it suits his superiors shines the brightest.
The series ends with a proper finale and so does the 4th season which opens with Callan captured in an East German prison. He is heavily drugged and subjected to psychological torture. In the end Hunter's superior decides Callan is worth trading for but not Hunter who already arranged Callan's funeral and burial in his absence. The trade was for Richmond who is the subject of the last three episodes. Seeing the first episode of the season explains the motivations better in the last episode. The impact may be a little diminished if one were to forget or miss the beginning of the season.
Another reviewer mentions Callan shooting out the bulb in the finale which is the same type of image used for the credit sequence. I don't think there is any relation at all except that Callan is capable of shooting the bulb. Mitchell likely just added the scene because he could.
A great episode. It ends with things basically as they were when it started. Callan hating his boss for the rotten jobs he is given to do with no reward for the work except a paycheck and continued freedom such as that is since his employers already threatened to kill or imprison him. His deep resentment for being hung out to dry whenever it suits his superiors shines the brightest.
The Richmond File: A Man Like Me
Prismark102 January 2022
The final episode recreates the opening titles. Callan shoots a lightbulb as he hunts down Richmond.
Hunter is determined to get Richmond who is hiding in a flat of a reluctant sleeper agent called Harris.
Richmond obtains a coded message through a Russian satirical magazine. It is his way to escape Britain.
Hunter has to use a new fangled computer to get leads on people who might help out Richmond. To his surprise Callan is on the list the computer churned out.
There were some issues with the episode. I found it odd that Callan was no aware that personal ads columns in newspapers were a way of passing coded messages.
Once Callan and Meres knew that Richmond was bolted in with Harris. Section would had sent in all his operatives rather the luring Harris to his girlfriends.
I did like the ending where Callan tells Hunter that he is already a broken man.
This was the end of the series although Callan did return in a feature film and later an one off television special.
Hunter is determined to get Richmond who is hiding in a flat of a reluctant sleeper agent called Harris.
Richmond obtains a coded message through a Russian satirical magazine. It is his way to escape Britain.
Hunter has to use a new fangled computer to get leads on people who might help out Richmond. To his surprise Callan is on the list the computer churned out.
There were some issues with the episode. I found it odd that Callan was no aware that personal ads columns in newspapers were a way of passing coded messages.
Once Callan and Meres knew that Richmond was bolted in with Harris. Section would had sent in all his operatives rather the luring Harris to his girlfriends.
I did like the ending where Callan tells Hunter that he is already a broken man.
This was the end of the series although Callan did return in a feature film and later an one off television special.
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