2-13. The Worst Soldier I Ever Saw.

Callan goes undercover as a valet to
his former CO (Allan Cuthbertson).

Air Date: Apr. 2, 1969. Written by: James Mitchell. Directed by: Robert Tronson. Produced by: Reginald Collin.


THE PLOT:

Col. Leslie (Ronald Radd), The Section's original Hunter, returns from the (fictitious) Middle Eastern country of Abu Tafa with grave news. The nation's Sultan has plans that are likely to start a war, one likely to leave an opening for Russia to gain a foothold in the region. The Sultan is even preparing to invite Brigadier Pringle (Allan Cuthbertson), a retired British army officer, to train and lead Abu Tafa's army - which would be devastating to the UK's interests.

Pringle happens to be Callan's former CO, however, which creates an opportunity. Playing on his former service, and on Pringle's imminent need for trained soldiers, Callan secures a job as Pringle's valet. But as the Brigadier comes ever closer to leaving for the Middle East, Callan finds he has little time to learn exactly what is being planned, and to stop it in whatever way may prove necessary.

Brigadier Pringle clashes with his
socially conscious daughter (Tessa Wyatt).

CHARACTERS:

Callan: Brigadier Pringle observes that when he was Callan's CO, he promoted him to corporal twice only to end up demoting him both times. As has often been the case in his Section work, Callan constantly questioned orders. Even so, the very trait that led Colonel Hunter to bring him back to the Section is the trait that makes him appealing to Pringle: His skill at killing is simply too good to ignore.

Col. Leslie: This episode reveals "Colonel Hunter" (Ronald Radd)'s real name. Since leaving the Section, he's been gathering intelligence in the Middle East - the very intelligence that sets off this episode's plot. He's really just here for a few scenes to justify slotting in an unaired Series One episode the following week, but his temporary return is a pleasure. The final exchange between him and Callan bristles with outrage on Callan's side and smugness on the colonel's side, and may well stand as my favorite single moment of the entire season.

Hunter: Having Derek Bond's more laidback Hunter in the same episode as Ronald Radd's crisply ruthless version makes for an interesting contrast. At the episode's close, the colonel voices his disapproval of the younger Hunter's handling of the situation, arguing that he was too soft in allowing certain parties to live. Hunter rightly rebukes him, reminding him that it was his decision. He has also "thoughtfully" prepped for the colonel's stay by saving up red files just for him, a gesture that makes clear exactly how he feels about his predecessor's methods. Bond's Hunter isn't above having people killed - but unlike Colonel Leslie, he sees it as a last resort rather than a default.

Meres: Reacts with open mirth when Hunter tells him that Colonel Leslie will be temporarily replacing him. His smirk as he anticipates Callan's reaction is so unbridled that Hunter has to tell him to knock it off. He enjoys needling Callan about his cover as a domestic servant, inspecting his work in shoe polishing and pointing out a spot on the dishes that Callan missed.

Lonely: Once again called upon for his safecracking skills. Callan gets him a key imprint to duplicate. It turns out that the safe requires two keys, however, leaving Lonely no choice but to blast it open. He's come prepared, however, and does so expertly - blowing it without damaging the papers inside and effectively muffling the noise. None of which stops Callan from using him as a distraction when cornered - though Callan acts quickly enough that there's no real risk of him being hurt.

Brigadier Pringle: Allan Cuthbertson is excellent, and the script makes Pringle a well-rounded character. He is clearly troubled when his new allegiance requires him to behave dishonorably, as when he drugs an American general (Larry Cross) into divulging critical information. There's a sense that he isn't just selling out for money. Like Callan, killing is the one thing he was actually good at, and he feels adrift and useless in retirement, and particularly in his interactions with his socially conscious daughter (Tessa Wyatt).

Colonel Hunter (Ronald Radd) returns,
with a whole batch of red files for Callan.

THOUGHTS:

The Worst Soldier I Ever Saw is an existing episode, but with an asterisk by that designation. The broadcast version was lost, and was never recovered. Fortunately, the unedited recording block did survive, and was re-edited into episodic form for the Monochrome Years dvd release (the unedited recording block is also available, on the Callan: This Man Alone set). So what exists is essentially a re-creation, one that's largely indistinguishable from the rest of the surviving installments... but at the same time, it is almost certainly not exactly as broadcast in 1969.

James Mitchell's script efficiently sets up both the return of Colonel Hunter and the finale via the current Hunter's forthcoming trip to Moscow. The episode also gives good moments to all of the regulars, which has often not been the case in Series Two, and still finds plenty of time for an entertaining story.

I like that the title of the episode can be equally applied to both Callan and Pringle. Pringle is, in many ways, an upper-class reflection of Callan. Like him, he was good at killing. Like him, his particular skillset has left him adrift in civilian life. However, while Callan has remained loyal to his country, Pringle is so hungry to return to feeling useful that he is willing to betray it - making him more of a "worst soldier" than Callan ever was.

Though the episode is good, it doesn't quite crack my top tier. The pace is a touch too slow, and there is never much sense that Callan is in danger of his cover being blown. There's a half-hearted attempt to create tension by having Sarah catch him eavesdropping on her father, but it never leads anywhere and there are no other close calls.

Still, The Worst Soldier I Ever Saw remains a solid outing, with decent character material and a good guest cast. Not to mention the return of Ronald Radd's cold-blooded Hunter, which is absolutely never a bad thing.


Overall Rating: 7/10.

Previous Episode: The Running Dog
Next Episode: Nice People Die at Home



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