Bergerac: Offshore Trades (BBC-1 18 Oct 1985, with Ian McCulloch)

In Offshore Trades Jim investigates when a scuba diver is found dead on the beach, he didn’t drown though – he suffocated. Meanwhile his old French colleague Inspector Dupont (who doesn’t actually appear) has asked Jim and the Bureau to help track down a famous actress who has gone missing and might be on Jersey. Dive shop owner Walt Mitchell seems to be the link between the two cases.

The excellent Ian McCulloch has the main guest star role as Walt, complete with very dodgy Australian accent, we know he’s Australian because he calls Jim “sport” but his accent veers from Ocker to South African to his native Scottish.

Jim is now sleeping with Susan and they are already talking about moving in together – the production team must have lost the use of Jim’s cottage as it hasn’t been seen and Jim is talking of needing somewhere else to live. In another change their is a new pathologist in the shape of the arrogant Dr Rogers.

Charlie is also now even more involved with the Bureau and Jim as he has been made head of the island’s Law and Order Committee.

classic quote
“just a double brandy please” – Susan to the waiter after being deserted by both Jim and Charlie.

production details
UK / BBC One / 1×55 minute episode / Broadcast 18 October 1985

Writer: Nick McCarty / Production Design: John Hurst / Director: Robert Tronson

Series: Bergerac Season 4 Episode 2

cast
John Nettles as Jim Bergerac
Terence Alexander as Charles Hungerford
Louise Jameson as Susan Young
Sean Arnold as Crozier
Deborah Grant as Deborah
Mela White as Diamante Lil
Nancy Mansfield as Peggy Masters
Jolyon Baker as Det Con Goddard
Bernard Archard as Dr Rogers
Ian McCulloch as Walt Mitchell
Stephen Riddle as Jean
Leonie Mellinger as Terry
Patrick Duncan as Luke
Nicolas Chagrin as Francois Montauban
Carole Ashby as Moira Montauban
Gilbert Wynne as Customs man
Arthur Blake as Mike Beavis
Jon Croft as Fisherman
Shelley Pielou as Hydrofoil hostess
Paul Hawkins as Surfer