User Reviews

Norma is quite the head of the village ladies' circle, organising all the local events, capable of giving out instructions with ease. Her sister Emily is quite the reverse, a very laid back character, Norma deems her husband Bob a lazy waster. There is a resentment as Norma inherited a huge estate, Emily nothing, just the use of the lodge. Weeks later Emily disappears, unseen for over three weeks. Norma is convinced Bob's killed Emily, she has him followed, and tracks a place in the forest where he's buried something.

Where do you even begin to comment on the quality of acting talent on display in this episode, the list is endless, Frances Tomelty play the role of Norma with great vigour, lots of energy goes into it. Anthony Valentine is his usually brilliant self, while Patsy Byrne and Diana King (two fabulous comedy actresses) make a wonderfully humorous double act.

It's a hugely clever story, it's beautifully dark and sinister, hidden under lush lawns, beautiful Mason's Ironstone china and fancy hats.

Bar a few dodgy episodes Series 5 is very very strong, I'd say The Absence of Emily is above average, not quite the best but it's still a very good standard. 7/10

Turnabout is fair play in this episode. The story does a good job of misdirecting the viewer into believing husband Bob (Anthony Valentine) did the unthinkable in getting rid of his wife Emily (Susan Tracy). So much so that Emily's sister Norma (Frances Tomelty) hires a private investigator to track his whereabouts and 'prove' that she's dead and buried. I was a bit taken aback when the PI (Derek Anders) became so assertive when there was no corpse to be found. It's a total shock when Emily shows up from her six week departure to put the finishing touches on 'Monkey Jim and Timbuktu'. This turned out to be one of the best shakedowns ever, with the apparently feuding couple putting one over on the overbearing sister, with a payoff that was worth their time and effort.

Tales of the Unexpected: The Absence of Emily is set in rural England in a large country house where local magistrate Norma (Frances Tomelty) has generously allowed her sister Emily (Susan Tracy) & her good for nothing lay about failed businessman of a husband Bob (Anthony Valentine) to live in a house in the grounds rent free after Bob's latest business venture went belly up. Emily writes children's books for a living & when she suddenly disappears without trace or a contact number Bob tells Norma that she went away to finish her latest book but Norma is suspicious especially considering Bob's last wife died in a shooting 'accident' several years ago...

This Tales of the Unexpected story was episode 14 from season 5 that originally aired here in the UK during July 1982, the ninth of ten Tales of the Unexpected episodes to be directed by Alan Gibson this is yet another average crime/drama/thriller/mystery with a supposed twist ending that isn't that effective. The story by Jack Ritchie was dramatised by Denis Cannan & is pretty standard undistinguished fair for this series which if your a fan of or have seen some other episodes your more than likely to guess how it's going to end, I'm sorry but I just find the twist endings on this show far too predictable & have very little impact. As a stand alone piece of 30 odd minute drama it's OK, it'll pass the time harmlessly enough but it's utterly forgettable & you'll never want to see it again.

This hasn't dated too badly & the British countryside locations are always pretty enough to look at & add some background colour. There's no horror in this one & it doesn't have any scares or any real tension either. The acting is good from another top British cast full of familiar faces, I especially liked Tomelty in this & thought she did well with the material.

The Absence of Emily is another standard Tales of the Unexpected episode that while it isn't anything particularly special it's still worth a watch but just don't spend too much time, money or effort doing so.