Special Branch: Fool’s Mate (ITV 4 Nov 1970, with Sandra Bryant)

In Fool’s Mate chess expert Mr Haddon and NATO’s best code breaker is of great interest to Moxon. He is about to take part in a European chess tournament and it’s believed he may be a target.

And still the Christine Morris affair continues to play out. She has turned up in London wanting to defect and asking to see Jordan. The pair have been playing a somewhat dangerous game for two seasons, it was clear from Christine’s first appearance that there was an immediate attraction between her and Jordan. The pair then spent the night together in season two episode Dinner Date.

Moxon makes it plain he is not interested in Morris as she brings no worthwhile information with her. Jordan knows that if she is sent back to Russia she will be killed. Jordan decides to take matters into his own hands. Ingrid Hafner plays the “civil servant” who is looking after Christine at the safe house and lets Jordan walk out with her.

A stunning season finale really, Jordan has never been happy with Moxon’s interference and he is ready to give it all up for Christine, taking her from the safe house where she is being kept and going on the run. They both know though that you can never leave the job behind. Having spent an idyllic day together the pair are found by Moxon. He has arranged for Christine to be able to stay in London after all.

The episode ends on a downbeat note, Christine is knocked down in a hit and run and left in a coma.

This was the final episode of the Jordan era. When the series returned for series 3 it had a completely new cast and was all shot on film. Ronald Magill best known as Amos Brearley in Emmerdale Farm here appears without his trademark whiskers. He plays one of the three secret service agents who interrogate Jordan.

classic quote
“Not only is she here Mr Jordan but she has identified you as her contact.”

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 4 November 1970 at 9.00pm

Writer: George Markstein / Production Design: Peter Le Page / Director: Dennis Vance

Series: Special Branch Season 2 Episode 13

cast
Derren Nesbitt as Jordan
Fulton Mackay as Inman
Morris Perry as Moxon
Ingrid Hafner as Miss Tully
David Garth as Deputy Commander
Simon Lack as Christopher Haddon
Jack Carr as Detective Sergeant Cutler
Geoffrey Russell as Erich Erhardt
Paul Starr as No 1 Interrogator
David Graham as No 2 Interrogator
Ronald Magill as No 3 Interrogator