In No Orchids For Marker elderly Lydia Alexander is concerned that somebody is breaking into her hothouse to damage her extremely rare orchids. She hires Frank to spend several nights installed in the sweltering heat of the orchid house.
Local Chertsey copper Detective Sergeant Evans, who makes his presence known to Frank at the beginning of the episode, is convinced that any intruder is after Lydia’s valuable collection of silver rather than any orchid.
It turns out that the denouement of the plot is nothing to actually do with orchids but is instead the classic chestnut of loot (in this case a valuable painting) from a robbery being buried in the grounds of Lydia Alexander’s home The Laurels. Buried in the same spot where the hot-house now stands! If Frank can get his hands on the painting he stands to get half of the reward money – some £5,000 pounds.
Definitely an episode veering over to the eccentric side of the spectrum. Following the departure of Percy Firbank at the beginning of the season Evans is the second copper to say “hello” to Frank neither he nor his boss Chief Inspector Reeves stick around Firbank style though.
production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Monday 24 February 1975 at 9.00pm
Writer: Philip Broadley / Production Design: Frank Gilman / Director: Graham Evans
Series: Public Eye Season 7 Episode 8
cast
Alfred Burke as Frank Marker
Sylvia Coleridge as Lydia Alexander
Joan Scott as Eileen Saunders
Lewis Fiander as Freddie
Anthony Langdon as Detective Sergeant Evans
Donald Eccles as Mr King
George Howe as Mr Hartley
Paul Haley as Watts
