The Professionals (TV Series) Blood Sports (1980) User Reviews

The sporting life...

[canndyman · 7/10 · 16 May 2020]

CI5 get involved when the son of a South American President is assassinated by a terrorist organization on a polo field during a match. They keep an eye on his step-sister Anita who is studying in London, and could also be a target - but could it be that Doyle is ultimately mixing business with pleasure?

This episode doesn't get off to the most exciting of starts perhaps, but slowly develops quite nicely as Bodie and Doyle gradually close in on the protagonists. There's a good scene where they discover the assassins booby-trapped car, and an also an amusing one of Bodie bugging the unwitting girl's apartment.

This episode is probably most notable these days for the short scene which features a young pre-fame Piers Brosnan in the CI5 radio truck (or 'Buggy Boo' as Bodie calls it) listening in on the planted bugs - while Bodie and Doyle huddle amusedly around him.

The final act with the second assignation at a golf course keeps the momentum going, although the action does all seem to end rather abruptly shortly after.

Not one of the best episodes (but nowhere near being the worst either), this one has some good moments along the way, and is definitely saved by a good performance from Michelle Newell as the slightly abrasive but alluring Anita.

Blood Sports

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 13 September 2019]

Apparently Lewis Collins auditioned to play James Bond and was turned down. He should have got advice from the young man in the buggy booth in this episode, Pierce Brosnan. He knew how to impress Cubby Broccoli.

While Bodie is playing cricket and about to score a century. The son of a South American dictator is assassinated as he takes part in a polo match.

The dead man's step sister is studying in London and soon becomes a suspect to the killing. She seems to be indifferent to his death and her father was seen to be a pest by her stepfather.

Bodie and Doyle also follow some leads as to who might had helped the hitman. It leads them to some dodgy garage owners and car mechanics.

A decent enough episode but not enough tension. I think the viewing audience would suspect the stepsister and Doyle is tasked to bug her flat. At least the episode offers alternative suspects.

To me it remains memorable for Pierce Brosnan's appearance.

A stock episode

[Leofwine_draca · 5/10 · 24 November 2020]

Michelle Newell makes a stand-out impression in an otherwise stock episode about South American terrorists who must be stopped before they take down another target. This is a slow-paced one with only a few lively moments; it feels more like a character drama or romance at times and certainly isn't what we've come to expect. The main points of interest are one-scene cameos from both Ruby Wax and Pierce Brosnan at his most youthful.