The Fourth Arm Part 9 (BBC-1 4 Mar 1983, with Rob Edwards)

In the ninth part of The Fourth Arm, after one too many run ins with Lt-Colonel Squires, Major Hugh Gallagher wants to be relieved of his command of the operation. Of course there is no way Colonel Gwillim is going to let that happen.

Meanwhile as final selection for the operation approaches tempers are getting short and nerves are setting in. The trainees are all feeling a bit stir crazy too. Of all the team scientist Lovell aka Hibou seems to be struggling the most, he’s an insular character anyway but seems to have become very depressed.

Gwillim later brings news that the German’s have tightened security even more at the compound making the stakes even higher.

Gallagher takes Chardonnaret out for a sneaky lunch, she has been flirting with him for a little while now and he knows it will be a good morale boost for her although he does seem to spend most of the time talking about his French girlfriend. Meanwhile Ferdy and Merle, who have been quietly falling in love, decide to take their relationship further. Of course they have to keep it secret as it would jeopardise their places on the team.

Finally the moment arrives when the team is announced. As they knew from the start not all of them will be selected. The final group is made up of Ferdy, Warsa, Hibou, Choucas, Chardonnaret and Grive. They are all given promotions too!

Merle remains as contact at the other end. Unfortunately Corbeau and Hirondelle don’t make it. It’s quite sad really as everyone else celebrates the pair are left to commiserate with themselves.

As the episode ends Gwillim tells Gallagher and Squires that they have just three days left to make their move.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast 4 Mar 1983 at 8.00pm

Writer: Michael J. Bird / Production Design: Tim Dann / Director: Nicholas Renton

Series: The Fourth Arm Episode 9 (of 12)

cast
Paul Shelley as Major Gallagher
Neil Stacy as Lieutenant-Colonel Squires
Philip Latham as Colonel Gwillim
Susan Kyd as Solange (Chardonneret)
Dean Harris as Macklin (Choucas)
Michael MacKenzie as Cameron (Grive)
Roy Boyd as Lamboit (Ferdy)
Carole Nimmons as Ellen (Merle)
Robert Swales as Macaulay (Mesange)
Stuart Blake as Wilson (Corbeau)
Rob Edwards as Lovell (Hibou)
Boris Isarov as Soltysyk (Warsaw)
Angela Cheyne as Birkett (Hirondelle)
Edward Peel as Sgt Major Gidney
Leonard Fenton as Cpl Moffat (Miff)