Justice: The Whole Truth (ITV 2 Mar 1973, with Brian Blessed)

In The Whole Truth Harriet is acting for the prosecution against prominent villain Tiger Lawson, played in usual fine style by Brian Blessed, who is accused of carrying a gun. The case is complicated by the fact that Andy, a friend of Ian’s is also a friend of Tiger’s and is convinced that the weapon found on Lawson was planted by the police.

Ian Moody is in trouble this episode too, he has been reported to the General Medical Council for gross negligence for not looking in on an elderly patient after saying he would – the patient, who sadly died, was the granddaughter of Madge who feels that Ian has also let her down in love. She thought they had an understanding, having had dinner on a few occasions and been out riding once.

Ian’s pub buddy Andy is part of Dr Moody’s handy new part time job in London where he serves on a board looking into penal reform. He is an unlikely friend that’s for sure but does serve to provide an important plot bridge between Moody and Harriet.

There are some excellent scenes with Harriet, Ian and Sir John. The men’s dislike of each other is growing by the episode.

Frederick Jaeger turns in a great scene stealing performance as one of Tiger’s friends who gives evidence – Jaeger is another of those unsung character actors who always enlivens any show he appears in. Wilkinson, the character he plays, is completely out of his depth in the witness box and ends up perjuring himself but doesn’t quite know why. It also very quickly comes out that Sgt Foster, the only witness in the case, really has planted the evidence.

Michael Gover makes his second Justice appearance, as a different character. Here he plays the Chief Constable and played a judge in season one episode Within A Year and A Day. Gover is best known for his role as Arthur Russell in BBC classic Survivors but also had a semi-regular role in Z Cars in 1967.

The strongest episode of the season so far.

classic quotes
“I don’t mind him becoming a ventriloquist but I take strong exception to you becoming his dummy.” – Sir John to Harriet after hearing Ian’s argument about Tiger’s possible innocence.

“If, if if… Always the excuse of the second rate.”

production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Friday 2 March 1973 at 9.00pm

Writer: Bill Macilwwraith / Production Design: Vic Symonds / Director: Alan Bromley

Series: Justice Season 2 Episode 4

cast
Margaret Lockwood as Harriet Peterson
Philip Stone as Sir John Gallagher
John Stone as Dr Ian Moody
Brian Blessed as Tiger Lawson
Terrence Hardiman as Higson
Frederick Jaeger as Wilkinson
Michael Gover as Philip
John Carlin as Hugh
Sheila Reid as Madge
John Kane as Andy
John Bryans as Bill, Clerk of Chambers
John Byron as Solicitor
Norman Claridge as Judge
Brian Croucher as Sgt Foster
Ron Welling as Lawson’s friend
Linda Renwick as Mrs Lawson