With a sort of awful symmetry, the third from last ever episode of Rumpole in 1992 bears many similarities to the second episode ever, 'The Alternative Society' in 1978 (and actually set in 1970).
In each, Rumpole is smitten with the charms of a younger woman and tries to alter his lifestyle to meet their moral values.
In 1978, the noticeably younger Rumpole is taken with the lovely Jane Asher as well as enjoying meeting old flame Liz Fraser from his RAF days during the war; it's set in the west country so no Hilda about to feel bothered by it. Unfortunately for Rumpole, his lovely client with alternative moral values deliberately dealt on drugs to highlight her brother's plight in Turkey with the same problem and he is obliged to vacate his defence, now rendered untenable. Nevertheless, Rumpole puts is professional conduct as a barrister ahead of personal temptation.
Now, exotic redhead violinist Elizabeth Casterini (Eleanor David) makes eyes at a very receptive Rumpole, citing her admiration for his earlier defence of an old college friend. Despite having apparently made a fortune running and selling a shop she had previously owned, she is now playing in a trio, which includes her husband- the 'eternal triangle' of the title.
Shortly after, the third member of the trio is found murdered- and Casterini's husband is charged by some fresh-faced young DIs. Rumpole is duly engaged to defend him.
The B-plot is a wafer-thin affair. Erskine-Brown overhears some lurid dialogue between Henry and Dot behind closed doors. There is yet another scene of Erskine-Brown chasing Ballard into Church to 'tell' on someone. Trying clumsily to investigate, he hits again on Dot with some questionable vocabulary and ends up being reported by Dot to Ballard for harassment.
Ballard is further dismayed when he overhears Liz and Inchcape chatting casually about babies when they are actually debating a divorce case.
.Rumpole investigates the circumstances of the murder and the background of the murdered man. With the aid of evidence gathered by the police, he comes to the conclusion that the murdered man was blackmailing Elizabeth Casterini, having detailed knowledge of the fact that her supposed former business sold for a fortune was in fact money made from sale of hard drugs.
Although she is not obliged to give evidence against her husband in Court, Elizabeth Casterini voluntarily does so, hoping that Rumpole will have been rendered 'safe' by her attentions to him and that her husband will be jailed for a murder she committed herself.
As in the 1978 episode however, Rumpole puts professional affairs before personal and takes her apart under cross-examination, demonstrating her guilt, albeit she is only a witness.
Desmond Casterini is acquited, Rumpole gives up his new lifestyle and looks for chops and wine again at home. Fortunately Hilda interprets Rumpole's attempt out-of-character lifestyle changes as having been motivated for her sake, so all ends well except that Rumpole cannot help but.reflect upon the process which he has now initiated for Elizabeth Casterini. We see her being visited by the police.
Erskine-Brown's troubles are assuaged when Rumpole explains that what he overheard was Henry and Dot rehearsing a play. Liz and Inchcape explain Ballard's misunderstanding.
As a previous reviewer has said, the format appears to have run out of steam by this point. Rumpole has appeared in almost every Court possible. Erskine Brown has become a whining telltale with no common sense or ability to determine what might ruin his marriage. The plots here are revamped earlier versions, including Henry reading from a play.
One plus point was Juliette. Mole as Hilary Peek QC looking fantastic as the prosecutor albeit receving short shrift from Judge Ollie Olliphant who seemed a little more sympathetic to Rumple than usual.
In each, Rumpole is smitten with the charms of a younger woman and tries to alter his lifestyle to meet their moral values.
In 1978, the noticeably younger Rumpole is taken with the lovely Jane Asher as well as enjoying meeting old flame Liz Fraser from his RAF days during the war; it's set in the west country so no Hilda about to feel bothered by it. Unfortunately for Rumpole, his lovely client with alternative moral values deliberately dealt on drugs to highlight her brother's plight in Turkey with the same problem and he is obliged to vacate his defence, now rendered untenable. Nevertheless, Rumpole puts is professional conduct as a barrister ahead of personal temptation.
Now, exotic redhead violinist Elizabeth Casterini (Eleanor David) makes eyes at a very receptive Rumpole, citing her admiration for his earlier defence of an old college friend. Despite having apparently made a fortune running and selling a shop she had previously owned, she is now playing in a trio, which includes her husband- the 'eternal triangle' of the title.
Shortly after, the third member of the trio is found murdered- and Casterini's husband is charged by some fresh-faced young DIs. Rumpole is duly engaged to defend him.
The B-plot is a wafer-thin affair. Erskine-Brown overhears some lurid dialogue between Henry and Dot behind closed doors. There is yet another scene of Erskine-Brown chasing Ballard into Church to 'tell' on someone. Trying clumsily to investigate, he hits again on Dot with some questionable vocabulary and ends up being reported by Dot to Ballard for harassment.
Ballard is further dismayed when he overhears Liz and Inchcape chatting casually about babies when they are actually debating a divorce case.
.Rumpole investigates the circumstances of the murder and the background of the murdered man. With the aid of evidence gathered by the police, he comes to the conclusion that the murdered man was blackmailing Elizabeth Casterini, having detailed knowledge of the fact that her supposed former business sold for a fortune was in fact money made from sale of hard drugs.
Although she is not obliged to give evidence against her husband in Court, Elizabeth Casterini voluntarily does so, hoping that Rumpole will have been rendered 'safe' by her attentions to him and that her husband will be jailed for a murder she committed herself.
As in the 1978 episode however, Rumpole puts professional affairs before personal and takes her apart under cross-examination, demonstrating her guilt, albeit she is only a witness.
Desmond Casterini is acquited, Rumpole gives up his new lifestyle and looks for chops and wine again at home. Fortunately Hilda interprets Rumpole's attempt out-of-character lifestyle changes as having been motivated for her sake, so all ends well except that Rumpole cannot help but.reflect upon the process which he has now initiated for Elizabeth Casterini. We see her being visited by the police.
Erskine-Brown's troubles are assuaged when Rumpole explains that what he overheard was Henry and Dot rehearsing a play. Liz and Inchcape explain Ballard's misunderstanding.
As a previous reviewer has said, the format appears to have run out of steam by this point. Rumpole has appeared in almost every Court possible. Erskine Brown has become a whining telltale with no common sense or ability to determine what might ruin his marriage. The plots here are revamped earlier versions, including Henry reading from a play.
One plus point was Juliette. Mole as Hilary Peek QC looking fantastic as the prosecutor albeit receving short shrift from Judge Ollie Olliphant who seemed a little more sympathetic to Rumple than usual.
