Bergerac: The Last Interview (BBC-1 11 Oct 1985, with Barry Foster)

Season four opener The Last Interview opens with some stock footage of New York and a group of network executives listening to a tape in which Mafia gangster Tony Abolini, supposedly dying, wants one last interview with the celebrated Howard Bailey. Bailey, though, has retired and is living in seclusion on Jersey and is not interested in stepping back into the limelight.

In reality the whole thing is a set up with a rival Mafia gang trying to use Bailey to flush out Abolini. Bailey has no intention of giving up the wheareabouts of Abolini but the gang have some damaging footage of Bailey’s last unscreened interview with an African war leader who arranged a firing squad event in Bailey’s honour and Bailey did nothing to stop it. Things take a dangerous turn when the gang take Bailey and his housekeeper hostage at gunpount.

Jim also meets Susan Young for the first time. She is an estate agent and a flat catches his eye whilst he is on surveillance duty. She will become his major love interest for the next few seasons. Susan is also the catalyst for helping Jim gain access to the house after Bailey is taken hostage. She had sold the house to Bailey and still had a videotaped tour of the grounds showing Jim access to a boiler room.

It’s a nicely action packed season opener that’s for sure with an excellent guest appearance from old Van der Valk himself – Barry Foster.

Season four aired 18 months after the end of the third season and their a few changes worth noting – the Bureau has moved to larger offices based just out of town. The Bureau has also been pulled back into the main part of the force whilst still retaining it’s individuality. Barney has been made Chief Inspector and has a new secretary in the shape of Peggy meaning that Charlotte is no longer on the team. Lil has also opened her own nightclub called Lil’s Place.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×55 minute episode / Broadcast 11 October 1985

Writer: Robert Banks Stewart / Production Design: John Hurst / Director: Brian Farnham

Series: Bergerac Season 4 Episode 1

cast
John Nettles as Jim Bergerac
Terence Alexander as Charles Hungerford
Barry Foster as Howard Bailey
Kate Harper as Arlene Roskin
Dennis Creaghan as Joe Conte
Louise Jameson as Susan Young
Sean Arnold as Crozier
Deborah Grant as Deborah
Mela White as Diamante Lil
Nancy Mansfield as Peggy Masters
Jolyon Baker as Det Con Goddard
Keith Edwards as Vince
John Paliotti as Michael
Eileen Helsby as Housekeeper
John Rolfe as Bank manager
Sean Lawlor as Martin O’Bhen
Stephen McGann as Harry
Joanna Andrews as Hotel receptionist
Gareth Milne as Caulfield
Bob Johnson as Van driver
Keith Barnes as Police sergeant
Karen Summers as Harriet Jeune
Barra Band as The Roger