The Brothers: The Devil You Know (BBC-1 1976, Colin Baker)

In The Devil You Know the board meeting about The Kirkman offer is about to happen but first Merroney must use all his skills to ensure that he gets the result he wants, Brian finally realises that Paul actually wants the offer to be turned down by the board and it is actually the bank (i.e. Sir Neville) that is pushing the offer. Ted who is adamantly against the offer is conveniently send off to Sweden by Sir Neville, Bill is under pressure from wife Gwen to accept the offer so that they can buy their dream house; David wants out of Hammonds and is definitely for the offer; Brian is against and surprisingly Jennifer is keen to accept. Meanwhile Jane Maxwell wants to accept because she thinks that Kirkmans will want to expand the air frieght side of the business.

Meanwhile Clare Miller hands in her resignation after learning that Merroney has started seeing a high society girl called April Winter.

A crackingly good episode, shows Merroney in quite a positive light for once, he really believes the five year plan he has for the company is more beneficial than taking Kirkman’s offer and is willing to cross swords with Sir Neville to get his way. He rather cleverly manipulates everyone on the board to come to his way of thinking, Patrick O’Connell doesn’t appear in this episode, Ted supposedly in Sweden but sending his vote by telegram.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast 28 March 1976

Writer: Brian Finch / Production Design: Myles Lang / Director: Timothy Coombe

Series: The Brothers Season Six Episode Ten

main cast
JEAN ANDERSON as Mary Hammond
RICHARD EASTON as Brian Hammond
ROBIN CHADWICK as David Hammond
JENNIFER WILSON as Jennifer Hammond
DEREK BENFIELD as Bill Riley
KATE O’MARA as Jane Maxwell
COLIN BAKER as Paul Merroney
MARGARET ASHCROFT as Gwen Riley
CAROLE MOWLAM as Clare Miller

guest cast
CARLETON HOBBS as Sir Neville Henniswode