Rumpole comes close to giving up the law when forced to consider the path his life has taken by a combination of his attraction to his pupil Phillida, an unsettling case involving an Irish terrorist and a devoted father and son, and a visit from an old flame of Hilda’s.

But the love shown by a client’s son for his father convinces Rumpole that he can’t simply quit as husband, parent - or as Old Bailey hack.

The question of what makes a good parent runs throughout the whole episode, with Rumpole asking himself if he’s turning into a bad father, especially in comparison with his client.

Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Rumpole in a story written by John Mortimer and adapted by Richard Stoneman.

Cast
Horace Rumpole ..… Benedict Cumberbatch
Hilda Rumpole ….. Jasmine Hyde
Phillida Trant ….. Cathy Sara
Boxey Horne ….. Stephen Critchlow
Matthew Culp ..… Samuel Reader

Directed by Marilyn Imrie
Produced by Catherine Bailey
A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4 Show less