Bergerac: Last Chance For a Loser (BBC-1 29 Nov 1981, with Patrick Mower)

In Last Chance For a Loser a team of crooks is targeting the wealthy residents of the islands. Even Charlie Hungerford is targeted. Jim thinks it may be linked to a golf tournament taking place on the island and that former golf pro Eddie St Pierre may be involved. The once former island resident has a shady past and has only recently been released from prison.

Patrick Mower exudes his usual air of cool charm as Eddie and there is a great scene where Jim is less than impressed when he sees Eddie showing off at Lil’s and giving Francine some very hands on golf tips.

Unusually Jim fails to “get” Eddie, despite, as Eddie leaves the island on the ferry, searching his van on with a fine tooth comb. The Bureau simply has no evidence to prove Eddie is behind the robberies. In a very nice twist of a final scene Eddie’s former girlfriend Anne Beresford (now married to a wealthy islander but still carrying a major torch for Eddie) is seen leaving the island – it’s very clear that she has Eddie’s ill gotten gains with her.

classic quote
“What if I told you to go to hell.”
“The answer to that is quite simple… I wouldn’t go.”

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Sunday 29 November 1981 at 8.15pm

Writer: Philip Broadley / Production Design: Phil Roberson / Director: Ian Toynton

Series: Bergerac Season 1 Episode 7

cast
John Nettles as Jim Bergerac
Cecile Paoli as Francine
Terence Alexander as Hungerford
Sean Arnold as Crozier
Mela White as Diamante Lil
Danny Schiller as Gulliver
Annette Badland as Charlotte
Tony Melody as Chief
Deborah Grant as Deborah
Patrick Mower as Eddie St Pierre
Sarah Douglas as Anne Beresford
Sean Caffrey as Grant
Anthony Milner as Ken
George Roubicek as Walter Vance
Virginia Lester as Sheila Vance
Alan David as Gidleigh
Kevin Stoney as ‘Horatio’ Nelson
Geoffrey Leesley as Det Con Wilson
Harry Walker as Sergeant
Penny Maegraith as Joy/Salesgirl
Ishia Bennison as Hotel receptionist
David Auker as Press man
David Beale as Golf customer
Bill Treacher as Security guard