There are few TV characters more fascinating than Leo McKern's Rumpole. He's a portly, cigar-smoking, claret-swilling, poetry-spouting egotistical lawyer with an almost absurd confidence in his abilities and an absolute dedication to defending the accused (particularly the Timsons!) Each client involves a mystery of sorts (a few are even murder...Rumpole's favorite kind of trial) that is almost always resolved even if Rumpole fails to successfully defend his client. And there are the continuous conflicts with the more foolish and hypocritical members of "chambers" who view Rumpole as an artifact of the past at best and a nuisance at worst. Yet, an interesting thread of humanity runs through the series with Rumpole at times forced to reflect on himself (see the Heavy Brigade for an example). In addition, Rumpole views the people he works with some affection often solving their problems for them using the same devious machinations he employs in defending his clients. That same reluctant affection is also directed towards "She Who Must Be Obeyed" his somewhat domineering wife, Hilda. True, the series gets a bit repetitive by the final season. It's the earlier episodes that are really the best. But Rumpole is still Rumpole throughout and McKern never fails to entertain.
Review of Rumpole of the Bailey
