The next story is a continuation of the first and is called “A Royal Affair.” It begins in the south of France, along the Riviera, with Des and Phil living the high life. It doesn’t take long for things to begin falling apart. British law enforcement are putting the squeeze on them, freezing their bank accounts. Then Phil gets charged with murder and is offered a deal: Pull a job for the British government and all their problems will vanish.

I won’t tell you any more about these next three stories, leaving it up to you to search out this very worthwhile series. There are some fine, outstanding guest stars in these later stories including Jenny Agutter, a longtime British actress in TV and movies, probably most known by American audiences for her role in the cult classic, An American Werewolf in London. Although part comedy and part horror, it won the 1981 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film.

This series is noted for is its seemingly simple, yet intricate, complicated, and convoluted plots that fool viewers right up to the end. Most viewers miss the clues given and end up completely off the mark of what’s happened until the final few scenes. The plots are worthy of better known directors and writers, and the acting is worthy of Emmys on this side of the Atlantic.

The remaining plots bring in stolen gold bullion, a diamond heist from Buckingham Palace, and “a shadowy world of sleeper cells, agency (KGB & CIA) rivalries, and personal vendettas.” The final episode is one of corporate greed overcome by criminal benevolence, which in turn is overcome by criminal duplicity. All of this is accomplished with equal measures of guile, plots, counterplots, and subterfuge, all mixed with dollops of humor and healthy servings of downright hilarity.

There was a good symbiosis, perhaps even a synergy at work in the first two episodes that seemed to be missing in the second disc. Had I seen the second disc first, I’m sure I would not have even noticed, but after seeing David Jason and Steven Wight together in the beginning episodes, I found myself wishing for Wight’s return. This was offset to a great degree, however, by guest stars Don Warrington and Simon Williams in the final episode. Some viewers may recall Warrington from Rising Damp, which I've reviewed previously. 

Extras include interviews with David Jason, Jenny Agutter, Don Warrington, and Simon Williams. Other extras are a scene and chapter index, and complete cast filmographies.