This episode definitely repaid repeated viewings. First time round it just seemed like a load of old men talking incomprehensibly about share prices, and implausibly prepared to commit murder in furtherance of their schemes. But I wasn't going to let a Philip Madoc appearance go to waste: second and third time round, his portrayal of the tightly-controlled, inscrutable, indispensable Seabrook really makes the story work.
Another bonus is the Cathy love interest - mostly done through allusion, but it's interesting to see that she can be given this stuff without it seeming out of character or inconsistent. I don't know whether to praise Honor Blackman or the writing.
A couple of Prisoner stars on show: Guy 'no. 1 Number Two' Doleman and John 'Sir Charles' Wentworth as two of the scheming shipyard owners (the latter playing another Sir Charles here). And from soapland there's Stephen 'Ernie Bishop' Hancock as a Geordie draughtsman.
Some nostalgic reminders of the post-war consensus in this by the way, with lots of union consultation in the shipyards, and Sir Charles being manipulated through his desire to see Britain's industries lead the world.
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