An interesting episode for The Professionals towards the end of the show's run. A change of direction allows the viewer to see Bodie and Doyle from a different angle.
Doyle is shot by an unknown assailant and lies in hospital fighting for his life. At the same time, Bodie and Cowley are trying to work out who the attacker is before they strike again.
A large chunk of the show comes from within Doyle's mind, in a series of ghostly sequences, as he talks with both Bodie and Cowley in different imagined locations, the suggestion being that he is trying to work out whether to live or die. We know the end result because there's still more episodes to be filmed, but we see the imaginary Bodie and Cowley give Doyle reasons to live whilst he argues the case for himself to just give up. If you don't already know that Doyle is very tough on himself, you will do after this episode.
Back in the real world, a rather ambiguous link gives Bodie a clue as to who shot Doyle and who the next intended target is. Bodie is even more driven than normal with his pal fighting for his life in hospital, whilst Cowley deals with the politics of the situation and many will assume this fictional story has more than a sliver of truth to it.
Cowley reads a poem called 'Desiderata' by Max Ehrmann that he finds in Doyle's flat, a work that provides worthwhile views on how to live life and a big insight into Doyle's outlook. Cowley also calls Doyle 'an idealist' but then tempers his comment by saying 'as much as he can be in this job'. Perhaps Doyle is in the wrong job or perhaps it makes him the perfect contrast to Bodie's blunt force?
It was probably a shock in the early 1980s when the assailant was identified. Many would have been expecting someone totally different. As a then ten year old, I'd have probably found it unfathomable. Interestingly, this unusual assailant is given an acceptable reason to hold grievances but the show asks if it is justice or revenge they're seeking?
Not one of my favourite episodes because I like my Professionals chasing after the bad guys in the Ford Capri and winning the shoot outs, with Cowley barking orders. There's a little bit of the latter here but, basically, this episode gives us a deeper insight into Ray Doyle as a character, as well as showing tough guy Bodie is genuinely worried for his partner.