Rumpole is led by Sam Ballard in a murder case - Lady Derwent is accused of despatching her husband, a much older and distinguished artist. They share a large house with the artist's old mother and his daughter, who's five years younger than the wife. The artist is terminally ill and is given a diamorphine injection every day by a nurse. There are nods to Agatha Christie (carelessly leaving a medical bag in the hall) and Dorothy Sayers (omelettes). As Sam Ballard makes blunder after blunder, Rumpole tells him what to say. Fortunately Ballard knocks himself out with a chest expander and ends up in hospital being visited by "Matey", the law courts' nurse. Rumpole pulls off another win, and "Matey" becomes Mrs Ballard, giving an excuse for a final party in a marquee with all the cast. There are sub-plots about slimming, and Ms Probert's boyfriend. (Watch out for Mortimer himself - he often turns up in these party scenes.)
Rumpole of the Bailey (TV Series)
Rumpole and the Quality of Life (1988)
User Reviews
Review this title2 Reviews
Rumpole and the Quality of Life
Prismark1013 August 2020
The finale to the fifth season of Rumpole of the Bailey has a surprising conclusion which involves some regular cast members showing up for a brief appearance. It makes you think they had a wrap party with a tiny bit of filming to finish the series.
Lady Perdita Derwent is a young woman married to an old wealthy artist, Sir Daniel Derwent who is not in the best of health.
Perdita Derwent is accused of poisoning him for his inheritance. His grown up daughter Helen has no time for Perdita and she saw some ampules in her room.
Samuel Ballard QC is defending with Rumpole as the junior. However Rumpole is less than impressed with Ballard's tactics in the courtroom.
It has a racy beginning as Lady Perdita poses topless for her husband. There is comedy with Rumpole advised by his doctor to go on a diet but this is an uneven episode.
A subplot involving Claude Erskine-Brown interviewing a new barrister for the chambers thinking he is gay is interminably awful.
I also felt Rumpole never shutting his mouth at court and annoying the judge went on too long.
It soon becomes clear that Ballard even as a QC was not up to defending the accused in a serious murder trial. He lacks Rumpole's street fighting skills. The episode felt too forced even with Ballard having a mishap while trying to keep fit and suddenly falling in love.
Lady Perdita Derwent is a young woman married to an old wealthy artist, Sir Daniel Derwent who is not in the best of health.
Perdita Derwent is accused of poisoning him for his inheritance. His grown up daughter Helen has no time for Perdita and she saw some ampules in her room.
Samuel Ballard QC is defending with Rumpole as the junior. However Rumpole is less than impressed with Ballard's tactics in the courtroom.
It has a racy beginning as Lady Perdita poses topless for her husband. There is comedy with Rumpole advised by his doctor to go on a diet but this is an uneven episode.
A subplot involving Claude Erskine-Brown interviewing a new barrister for the chambers thinking he is gay is interminably awful.
I also felt Rumpole never shutting his mouth at court and annoying the judge went on too long.
It soon becomes clear that Ballard even as a QC was not up to defending the accused in a serious murder trial. He lacks Rumpole's street fighting skills. The episode felt too forced even with Ballard having a mishap while trying to keep fit and suddenly falling in love.
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