Special Branch: Sorry Is Just A Word (ITV 14 Oct 1970, with Gabrielle Drake)

In Sorry is Just A Word young Au Pair girl Karlina Novakova is convinced that someone is following her, she then goes missing. Why would Special Branch be interested in a simple missing persons case – because it turns out that Karlina is the daughter of a prominent Czech official.

Meanwhile Detective Sergeant Davis who is investigating the case has his own personal issues to deal with, his 17 year old daughter wants to get married but he is refusing to give his permission.

There is a nice correlation between Davis’s personal problems and that of Novakova who has gone missing because she has fallen in love and doesn’t want to return to Czechoslavkia. A rare season 2 appearance from Detective Constable Morrissey, seen here with Detective Sergeant Davis.

In a nice nod to continuity this was Gary Watson’s second appearance on the show as Bilak – he previously appeared in the season one episode Exit A Diplomat.

There was a short piece in the TV Times about how the producers had tried to make the gorgeous Gabrielle Drake look like a dowdy Au Pair, complete with wig that was five years out of date. Drake actually only has a couple of minutes of actual screen time, in a film sequence at the start and then when Davis discovers her whereabouts. The episode actually belongs to James Cossins as Davis who realises that his stance has cost him his relationship with his daughter. Davis finally tracks down Karlina.

production details
UK / ITV – Thames / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 14 October 1970 at 9.00pm

Writer: Michael Chapman / Production Design: Michael Hall / Director: James Goddard

Series: Special Branch Season 2 Episode 10

cast
Derren Nesbitt as Jordan
Fulton Mackay as Inman
Keith Washington as Morrissey
Morris Perry as Moxon
Gabrielle Drake as Karlina Novakova
Ronald Govey as Mr Ellis
James Cossins as Detective Sergeant Davis
Robin Wentworth as Detective Sergeant Pritchard
Sheila Raynor as Elsie Davis
Julie Booth as Lynne Davis
Pamela Greenall as Mrs Ellis
Gary Watson as Ladislav Bilak
Sarah Thomas as Au pair girl