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The Best Episodes of Rumpole of the Bailey Season 1

Every episode of Rumpole of the Bailey Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Rumpole of the Bailey Season 1!

Rumpole of the Bailey is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer. It stars Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an aging London barrister who defends any and all clients, and has been spun off into a series of short stories, novels, and radio programmes.

Genres:DramaComedyCrime
Network:ITV1

Season 1 Ratings Summary

The best episode of "Rumpole of the Bailey" season 1 is "Rumpole and the Younger Generation", rated 7.7/10 from 184 user votes. It was directed by Herbert Wise and written by John Mortimer. "Rumpole and the Younger Generation" aired on 4/3/1978 and is rated 0.1 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "Rumpole and the Alternative Society".

  • Rumpole and the Younger Generation
    7.7/10 184 votes

    #1 - Rumpole and the Younger Generation

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/3/1978

    Rumpole defends young Jim Timson, who has been grassed up for robbery with violence by 'Peanuts' Molloy - one of a rival gang of East End villains with whom the Timsons have an ancient feud. Unhappily, Jim's only alibi rests upon a junior member of the Molloy family. Meanwhile, Rumpole is having trouble communicating with his own son, Nick. He is also vexed by the question of who will be the new Head of Chambers at Number 3, Equity Court. Might he dare to dream that it could be him?

    Director: Herbert Wise

    Writer: John Mortimer

  • Rumpole and the Alternative Society
    7.8/10 161 votes

    #2 - Rumpole and the Alternative Society

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/10/1978

    Rumpole is in the west of England to visit an old friend from his days in the Royal Air Force, Sam ('Three Fingers') Dogherty, and to defend Kathy Trelawney, who is charged with selling cannabis to a police agent provocateur.

    Director: Herbert Wise

    Writer: John Mortimer

  • Rumpole and the Honourable Member
    7.8/10 124 votes

    #3 - Rumpole and the Honourable Member

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/17/1978

    Rumpole defends Ken Aspen, a politician accused of raping a party worker. The defendant admits there was intercourse but claims it was consensual, and Rumpole believes he has found a strong line of defense.Meanwhile, Rumpole's favorite clerk has been accused of stealing from the petty cash at Number 3, Equity Court...

    Director: Herbert Wise

    Writer: John Mortimer

  • Rumpole and the Married Lady
    7.8/10 126 votes

    #4 - Rumpole and the Married Lady

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/24/1978

    Rumpole defends a woman (Mrs Thripp) in a divorce action brought by her husband, claiming infidelity. She Who Must Be Obeyed (Mrs Rumpole) forms the opinion that her husband has a mistress - with curious results. Meanwhile, the aggrieved Thripp has begun a battle of notes.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: John Mortimer

  • Rumpole and the Learned Friends
    7.7/10 111 votes

    #5 - Rumpole and the Learned Friends

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 5/1/1978

    Guthrie Featherstone, with Rumpole as his junior, defends a safe-cracker who claims to have been framed by the notorious Inspector ""Dirty"" Dickerson. Rumpole risks his reputation by attacking police corruption before a police-friendly judge - and as a result he finds himself called to a disciplinary hearing. There is even the possibility that Rumpole may be forced to retire, but he digs his toes in.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: John Mortimer

  • Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade
    7.9/10 121 votes

    #6 - Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 5/15/1978

    Rumpole is busy defending the youngest son of a family of villains on a murder charge. His client has all the evidence stacked against him, but meanwhile it is Rumpole's battered old bowler which is becoming the focus of bemused attention in chambers and beyondHilda has made up her mind that Rumpole is to take her to the Scales of Justice Ball. Perhaps a new hat and an acquittal at the Old Bailey will get him in the mood for dancing?

    Director: Herbert Wise

    Writer: John Mortimer