Special Branch: Depart in Peace (ITV 25 Aug 1970, with David Langton)

In Depart In Peace the team is asked to talk to a former Special Branch officer, Edward Kirk, who had been involved in fighting Mau Mau terrorism in Kenya many years before. The Foreign Office want him to travel to Kenya to testify in the case of a general. Kirk flat out refuses. After a visit from Inman he reveals that he has a reason why he cannot get involved but won’t say what it is.

Inman discovers that Kirk may have been involved in a massacre whilst in Kenya and that is probably the reason he doesn’t want to return. Moxon has decided to leak the facts of the case to journalist Sullivan in a bid to put pressure on Kirk. Kirk actually had nothing to do with the massacre, the real reason he doesn’t want to go is that his wife is dying. Jordan gets taken to Moxon’s club, as usual Moxon has an ulterior motive…

Moxon is his usual unlikable and unsympathetic self here. No matter what the cost – what he wants comes first. David Langton, who has the main guest role here as Kik, would very quickly go on to become one of the most famous faces in the UK thanks to a starring role in Upstairs Downstairs.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Tuesday 25 August 1970 at 9.00pm

Writer: Alun Falconer / Production Design: Mike Hall / Director: Mike Vardy

Series: Special Branch Season 2 Episode 3

cast
Derren Nesbitt as Jordan
Fulton Mackay as Inman
Morris Perry as Moxon
David Langton as Edward Kirk
Pauline Letts as Mary Kirk
Bryan Marshall as Sullivan
Nadia Cattouse as Mrs Kaino
Denis Thorne as Deputy Commander
Joan Peart as Lady Customer