Lovejoy: The Firefly Cage (S1EP1 BBC One 10 Jan 1986, Kim Thomson)

In the opening episode of the series The Firefly Cage, Lovejoy misses out at auction on an original Japanese firefly cage, later the young woman, Nicola Page (Kim Thomson) who beat him to it turns up at his place and asks him for help… When Lovejoy starts digging he discovers the firefly cage is linked to major villain Devlin (Ben Howard) who has been heavily involved in a spate of high end house robberies.

All of the key elements of the series are introduced here, Lovejoy talking direct to camera, Eric Catchpole arriving as Lovejoys new “apprentice” – ie general gopher; Lovejoys barker Tinker and Lovejoy’s first meeting with Lady Jane Felsham. Also making his presence felt is Charlie Gimbert, a businessman with fingers in lots of pies and Lovejoy’s landlord.

Quite a few season one semi-regulars also make their first appearances including Gimbert’s younger sister Amanda; motor mechanic Brian who knows Lovejoys run down volvo very well; local copper Inspector Maslow and fellow antique dealer Dandy Jack. Besides Kim Thomson the guest cast also includes Sarah Lawson and the legendary Ronald Fraser as old beachcomber Drummer, a friend of Lovejoys who ends up dead when Lovejoy begins getting too close to Devlin’s activities.

Lavenham, Kersey, and a Napoleonic-era Martello tower on the Suffolk coast (which features as a great spot for the final showdown) serve as locations for the episode.

This episode is based on the novel Firefly Gadroon by Jonathan Gash.

Guest Cast: Frank Mills (Mr Catchpole) Jan Wilson (Mrs Cameron) Sarah Lawson (Mrs Hepplestone) Kim Thomson (Nicola Page) Ronald Fraser (Drummer) Cassie Stuart (Amanda Gimbert) Denys Graham (Bigelow) Pavel Douglas (Alexander Felsham) Ben Howard (Devlin) Jeff Hall (Ossie) Barry Jackson (Inspector Maslow) John Scholes (DS Drabble) Anthony Jackson (Brian) Geoffrey Bateman (Dandy Jack) Keith Marsh (Auctioneer) Mike Brown (Coastguard)

Writer: Ian La Frenais / Director: David Reynolds

Airdate: 10 January 1986 on BBC One.

Season 1 Episode 1