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Rumpole of the Bailey Season 6 Episodes
Season 6 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 1991 - 1991
Episode 1
Rumpole a la Carte
51 mins
Rumpole reluctantly agrees to accompany Hilda and her male cousin to a very elite, exclusive restaurant. Rumpole objects to the pretentious atmosphere, fancy fair, and skimpy portions and demands comfort food like steak and kidney pudding. Jean Pierre O'Higgins, the gourmet restaurateur, is insulted that Rumpole would expect him to prepare such proletarian dish and an argument ensues. An even greater uproar arises when a live mouse jumps out from the serving dish at another table. The diners are Erskine-Brown and a pretty colleague that he's attempting to romance. Embarrassed by Rumpole's behavior, Hilda leaves him for her more genteel cousin. When a recalcitrant O'Higgins comes to Rumpole to beg his help in saving his license and reputation, Rumpole does agree to defend him without embarrassing Erskine-Brown.
Episode 2
Rumpole and the Summer of Discontent
51 mins
A militant union shop steward stands accused of having thrown a brick that caused the death of one of the scab workers while he was crossing a picket line. However, this is not the only labor problem plaguing Rumpole. When Henry becomes upset that Ballard is planning to eliminate the clerk's percentage and put them on straight salary, Rumpole spends a late night commiserating with his clerk at Pomeroy's. A piqued Hilda objects to her husband's late hours and goes on strike as cook of the household, leaving the hungry barrister to his own devices for his dinners. In addition, during the trial Featherstone's objection to a proposed change in judicial appointments which would allow solicitors on the bench causes him to "withdraw her services" as judge for the afternoon as well.
Episode 3
Rumpole and the Right to Silence
51 mins
An outspokenly radical professor stands accused of pushing a college administrator through a balcony guard to his death. Although it's rumored that this popular lecturer was having an affair with the victim's wife, he refuses to provide Rumpole with an alibi and stands on his right of silence. Rumpole;s views on that right are impacting on his colleagues Ballard and Erskine-Brown. The former refuses to disclose the contents of a tartan bag to his new bride causing her to view his after-hours activity with suspicion while the latter tries to cover up his extra-marital activities by incriminating himself with a patently false explanation.
Episode 4
Rumpole at Sea
51 mins
Hilda persuades a reluctant Rumpole to take a "second honeymoon" cruise to the Greek Islands. When he unexpectedly learns that his great nemesis, Judge Gerald Graves, is also aboard, Rumpole initially keeps to his cabin. Hilda strikes up an acquaintance with a noted mystery writer who's on board to do research for his current novel and a pair of middle-aged newlyweds. When the wife of the Anglican minister mysteriously disappears, the writer, acting as a de facto prosecutor, raises the possibility that her husband has murdered her and thrown her overboard. Rumpole, of course, argues in favor of the vicar's innocence while the dour Judge Graves presides over the theoretical trial.
Episode 5
Rumpole and the Quacks
51 mins
A Pakistani doctor is accused of improperly touching a nanny who has come to him complaining of a sore throat. Although monitoring glandular swelling is appropriate when examining for mononucleosis, another doctor in his group testifies against him in the resultant malpractice hearing. Rumpole is aided in his defense from an unlikely source, a magazine for singles replete with personal ads that Phyllida has found in Erskine Brown's office. She becomes convinced that a an ad in the periodical is conclusive evidence that he is philandering. Rumpole is distracted by the amorous advances of a middle-aged ex-client.
Episode 6
Rumpole for the Prosecution
51 mins
When a real estate agent is found bludgeoned to death with a Zulu war club in an empty house, police question Christopher Jago as a person of interest. Even though he was at the crime scene and subsequently fled overseas, they don't feel there is enough evidence to charge him with the crime. Her father, the wealthy owner of a successful real estate agency, hires Rumpole to bring a private prosecution against him, a practice that is legal in England. Liz Probert, Rumpole's radical protegee, becomes indignant, accuses Rumpole of selling out to a rich client, and joins the defense against her mentor. Rumpole is distracted by an unwelcome house-guest during the Christmas holidays and Ballard's accusation that Erskine-Brown has stolen someone else's brief.
