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The Worst Episodes of Rumpole of the Bailey

Every episode of Rumpole of the Bailey ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Rumpole of the Bailey!

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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

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Rumpole of the Bailey Season 3 Episode 2 - Rumpole and the Golden Thread
    7.4/10(118 votes)

    #1 - Rumpole and the Golden Thread

    S3:E2

    Rumpole flies to Neranga, in Africa, to defend David Mazenze (his former law pupil) on a charge of murder. Rumpole meets with politcs, tribal hatred, and confusion - and his client seems to have no credible alibi to offer for the time of the murder.

    Director:Donald McWhinnie
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  2. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 1 Episode 1 - Rumpole and the Younger Generation
    7.6/10(199 votes)

    #2 - Rumpole and the Younger Generation

    S1:E1

    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

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  3. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 2 Episode 4 - Rumpole and the Fascist Beast
    7.6/10(108 votes)

    #3 - Rumpole and the Fascist Beast

    S2:E4

    Rumpole defends Captain Rex Parkin, who is charged with inciting a riot by racist speeches. Rumpole also has a new pupil, one Latif Khan.

    Director:Robert Knights
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  4. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 1 Episode 2 - Rumpole and the Alternative Society
    7.7/10(172 votes)

    #4 - Rumpole and the Alternative Society

    S1:E2

    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

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  5. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 1 Episode 3 - Rumpole and the Honourable Member
    7.7/10(136 votes)

    #5 - Rumpole and the Honourable Member

    S1:E3

    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

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  6. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 2 Episode 1 - Rumpole and the Man of God
    7.7/10(114 votes)

    #6 - Rumpole and the Man of God

    S2:E1

    Rumpole defends a vicar who is charged with stealing three shirts from a department store, but the troubled clergyman refuses to take the stand in his own defense. George Frobisher, who is in line to be appointed as a Circuit Judge, comes to dinner with the Rumpoles and introduces his new girlfriend. Rumpole remembers seeing her in court and advises his friend to think again.

    Director:Brian Farnham
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  7. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 6 Episode 5 - Rumpole and the Quacks
    7.7/10(86 votes)

    #7 - Rumpole and the Quacks

    S6:E5

    Rumpole defends his own doctor, charged with sexually molesting a woman patient - and Rumpole's friend Phyllida is counsel for the prosecution.Claude Erskine-Brown is in hot water when Phyllida comes to believe he is advertising for women friends in an under-the-counter magazine.

    Director:Robert Tronson
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  8. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 1 Episode 4 - Rumpole and the Married Lady
    7.8/10(132 votes)

    #8 - Rumpole and the Married Lady

    S1:E4

    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:Graham Evans
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  9. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 1 Episode 5 - Rumpole and the Learned Friends
    7.8/10(116 votes)

    #9 - Rumpole and the Learned Friends

    S1:E5

    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:Graham Evans
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  10. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 2 Episode 5 - Rumpole and the Course of True Love
    7.8/10(120 votes)

    #10 - Rumpole and the Course of True Love

    S2:E5

    Rumpole defends a flamboyanty romantic young schoolteacher who is accused of seducing a pupil.Meanwhile, Rumpole's colleague in chambers Guthrie Featherstone pursues his ambition of becoming a High Court judge, while Phyllida has a secret to keep from a former lover.

    Director:Brian Farnham
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  11. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 2 Episode 6 - Rumpole and the Age for Retirement
    7.8/10(101 votes)

    #11 - Rumpole and the Age for Retirement

    S2:E6

    Rumpole defends Percy Timson, a receiver of stolen property who has been framed for the theft of an important painting which is out of his league. Meanwhile, Rumpole's wife and son Nick (who is now a college lecturer in the US) are making plans for Rumpole's retirement in the very near future - to a restful existence in Maryland.

    Director:Donald McWhinnie
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  12. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 6 Episode 3 - Rumpole and the Right to Silence
    7.8/10(88 votes)

    #12 - Rumpole and the Right to Silence

    S6:E3

    Rumpole defends a radical lecturer accused of murdering an unpopular university official - but his client refuses to give critical information in his own defence.Hilda takes offense, after Rumpole gives Ballard and Erskine-Brown advice on the keeping of secrets from their lady wives.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  13. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 1 Episode 6 - Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade
    7.9/10(131 votes)

    #13 - Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade

    S1:E6

    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

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  14. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 2 Episode 2 - Rumpole and the Case of Identity
    7.9/10(124 votes)

    #14 - Rumpole and the Case of Identity

    S2:E2

    With the Christmas season in full swing, Rumpole defends Dave Anstey on the charge of stabbing a sales assistant in an off-license. It seems to be a case of mistaken identity, but why does Dave's boss, on whom his alibi depends, change his story and undermine the defense? Meanwhile, Rumpole's Head of Chambers has an attractive new secretary, and starts spending a lot of time with her behind closed doors... When Guthrie Featherstone is seen gyrating at a disco with the girl from the typing pool, Rumpole means to get to the bottom of it all.

    Director:Derek Bennett
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  15. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 2 Episode 3 - Rumpole and the Show Folk
    7.9/10(130 votes)

    #15 - Rumpole and the Show Folk

    S2:E3

    Rumpole travels to the north of England and practices his own theatricality in defense of Maggie Hartley, an actress accused of shooting her womanizing husband.

    Director:Peter Hammond
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  16. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 3 Episode 3 - Rumpole and the Old Boy Net
    7.9/10(100 votes)

    #16 - Rumpole and the Old Boy Net

    S3:E3

    Rumpole welcomes a new pupil, the beautiful Fiona Allways, and together they defend Mr and Mrs Napier-Lee, who are charged with blackmail and with running an immoral house. But the Napier-Lees are slow to defend themselves, anxious not to expose the lies of an old school friend.

    Director:Tony Dean Smith
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  17. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 7 Episode 1 - Rumpole and the Children of the Devil
    7.9/10(83 votes)

    #17 - Rumpole and the Children of the Devil

    S7:E1

    Rumpole again defends the Timsons, when they are accused of Satanism and their daughter Tracy has been put into local authority care. Hilda is angling for Rumpole to take her to this year's Scales of Justice Ball.

    Director:James Cellan Jones
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  18. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 3 Episode 4 - Rumpole and the Female of the Species
    8.0/10(93 votes)

    #18 - Rumpole and the Female of the Species

    S3:E4

    Rumpole defends Tony Timson, who is accused of driving the getaway car for a bungled robbery by the Molloy gang - a gang whose relationship with the Timsons is about as warm as that between the Montagues and the Capulets. Meanwhile, Fiona Allways applies to join Rumpole's chambers at number 3, Equity Court, and this meets with opposition from an unexpected quarter - Phyllida.

    Director:Donald McWhinnie
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  19. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 4 Episode 1 - Rumpole and the Old, Old Story
    8.0/10(97 votes)

    #19 - Rumpole and the Old, Old Story

    S4:E1

    Rumpole defends a business man who is accused of trying to murder his partner. After a squabble with 'She Who Must Be Obeyed', Rumpole finally leaves home - but Hilda doesn't seem to miss him very much...

    Director:Roger Bamford
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  20. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 5 Episode 3 - Rumpole and the Age of Miracles
    8.0/10(100 votes)

    #20 - Rumpole and the Age of Miracles

    S5:E3

    Rumpole defends his clergyman nephew in an ecclesiastical court, against charges of adultery - of which the bishop takes a dim view. Rumpole's colleagues Ballard and Erskine-Brown appear for the prosecution.

    Director:Mike Vardy
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  21. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 5 Episode 5 - Rumpole and Portia
    8.0/10(95 votes)

    #21 - Rumpole and Portia

    S5:E5

    Rumpole defends Stanley Culp, a scrap dealer, on charges of selling arms to terrorists. The case comes before a newly appointed Recorder - Phyllida Erskine-Brown.

    Director:Roger Bamford
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  22. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 7 Episode 4 - Rumpole and the Reform of Joby Jonson
    8.0/10(85 votes)

    #22 - Rumpole and the Reform of Joby Jonson

    S7:E4

    Rumpole defends a teenager charged with stealing from old people. Curiously, Rumpole's own apartment is promptly broken into and documents are stolen. Erskine-Brown is in the running again to 'take silk' (become a Queen's Counsel) but the word around the Inns of Court is that he does not have enough 'bottom' and will not make the grade. Phyllida launches a campaign in support of Claude, but can she pull it off?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  23. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 7 Episode 5 - Rumpole and the Family Pride
    8.0/10(95 votes)

    #23 - Rumpole and the Family Pride

    S7:E5

    Rumpole and Hilda are invited for the weekend at a cousin's castle - but when they get there they find their relation faces the charge of murdering a travelling woman and is looking for Rumpole to rally round to help him.

    Director:John Gorrie
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  24. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 3 Episode 5 - Rumpole and the Sporting Life
    8.1/10(102 votes)

    #24 - Rumpole and the Sporting Life

    S3:E5

    Rumpole gets out into rural England when Fiona Allways persuades him to defend her sister Jennifer, charged with murdering her skirt-chasing husband.

    Director:Bill Hays
    Writer:John Mortimer

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  25. Rumpole of the Bailey Season 4 Episode 6 - Rumpole's Last Case
    8.1/10(95 votes)

    #25 - Rumpole's Last Case

    S4:E6

    The Timsons are in trouble again, and in need of the services of their favourite 'brief'. The old firm is back in business, but as he unravels the mystery of who carried the gun in a bungled robbery Rumpole is unaccountably wearying of it all. After investing with his turf accountant on a valuable four-horse accumulator, Rumpole makes up his mind that it's time to hang up his wig for the last time - but not before telling a few home truths to his old adversary, Mr Justice 'Mad Bull' Bullingham. Meanwhile, the gods have ideas of their own. Hearthstoke is still giving Henry and Dianne a rough time and he even contrives to infuriate Phyllida.

    Director:Rodney Bennett
    Writer:John Mortimer

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Rumpole and the Golden Thread" is the worst rated episode of "Rumpole of the Bailey". It scored 7.4/10 based on 118 votes. Directed by Donald McWhinnie and written by John Mortimer, it aired on 10/18/1983. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Rumpole and the Younger Generation".