In Crossed Swords a pair of prominent island brothers who run a fencing school on the island receive a shock when they open up the family burial vault in search of a pair of valuable swords that belonged to one of their ancestors.
It’s a big event for the family and is even being filmed by local TV. Naturally the sword are there but the event is marred by the arrival of Paul Roussilon, a Frenchman, who claims the swords were stolen from his own family crypt. Roussilon then turns up dead.
Meanwhile on the relationship front, Jim, having now moved into his own place is trying hard to win back Susan. The going is not easy. In another subplot Crozier, via the Chief, has organised a keep fit campaign for the team complaining that they are all out of shape. This comes in handy when Jim has to have a stave off a baddie during a swordfight finale.
To be fair the whole thing is not very well done and definitely ranks in the top ten Bergerac dodgy moments list. Although the episode does benefit from an appearance from the always likeable Richard Warwick.
production details
UK / BBC One / 1×55 minute episode / Broadcast 9 January 1988
Writer: Edwin Pearce / Production Design: Barrie Sedwell / Director: David Carson
Series: Bergerac Season 6 Episode 2
cast
John Nettles as Jim Bergerac
Terence Alexander as Charles Hungerford
James Warwick as Jack Lefevre
Peter Woodward as Alain Lefevre
Cherry Gillespie as Marianne Roussillon
Ken Bones as Paul Roussillon
Colin Jeavons as Claude Raquin
Sean Arnold as Crozier
Louise Jameson as Susan
Patricia Quinn as Dolly
John Telfer as Willy Pettit
David Kershaw as Ben Lomas
Nancy Mansfield as Peggy Masters
Andrew Moreno as Boy
Usa Melville as Girl
Terry Walsh as Police instructor
Nick Burnell as French police inspector
John Serret as French gardener
Lesley North as Commentator
