User Reviews

The most interesting feature of this episode is the introduction of Reilly' half sister Anna to the story line. While their relationship is somewhat elusive and ambiguous, it seems clear that there is a strong affectionate bond between the siblings. This allows us to see a new and softer side of the Reilly character. Sam Neill continues to add new layers to this role in a nuanced and often subtle way as he again is tasked with a difficult job and an elusive subject to deal with (the Australian D'Arcy). Our concern here over the strategic value of Iranian oil is a subject that could have been lifted from a contemporary newspaper.

Reilly's half-sister is much like him--operating in an understated way while functioning as part of a world of intrigue and danger. The fact that this actor somewhat physically resembles the one who plays his estranged wife Margaret must surely be just a coincidence.

It is interesting to see the significant attention to detail the show's producers have lavished on costumes and sets in order to enhance the illusion of period authenticity. Sam Neill's wardrobe seems to get better and more attractive from episode to episode. This may strengthen comparisons with the James Bond movie character, but it is clear that while Reilly and Bond may appear to be similar in some ways--they are decidedly different in others---particularly in Reilly's consistently humorless approach to his work. A few quips by Reilly early on might have provided some welcome relief from the seriousness of the later proceedings in this episode.

This is a most entertaining chapter in the Reilly saga.

Reilly returns to London. Instead of being met by his wife Margaret, it is Fothergill who greets him.

Reilly was meant to find an Australian oil developer called D'Arcy in Italy and persuade him to sign lucrative oil rights in Persia with Britain. So they have a regular source of supplies for their oil powered ships.

D'Arcy was elusive and is now in Paris. Reilly finds out that his wife has left him and is with another man, also in Paris. He resumes his mission to locate D'Arcy and his errant wife.

However the French government has the wealthy Baron Rothschild involved to persuade D'Arcy to do a deal with the French and it looks like that he has succeeded.

We are introduced to Reilly's half sister Anna in this episode which has a tragic after taste. We also see Reilly don a disguise as a priest. It is a means to use some cunning to persuade D'Arcy to side with Britain.

There is no doubt in my opinion that some of the storytelling here is arch and cumbersome.