The Best Episodes Written By John Mortimer

Every TV Episode Written by John Mortimer Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    undefined Season 7 Episode 4 - Rumpole and the Reform of Joby Jonson
    10.0/10(1 votes)

    #1 - 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:N/A

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  2. undefined Season 1 Episode 7 - The Unseen Hook
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - The Unseen Hook

    S1:E7

    With Lady Marchmain very near to death, Charles searches French Morocco for Sebastian. He finds him, and is shocked by the state he is in.

    Director:N/A

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  3. undefined Season 1 Episode 5 - Rumpole and the Learned Friends
    9.0/10(1 votes)

    #3 - 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:N/A

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  4. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Et in Arcadia Ego
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #4 - Et in Arcadia Ego

    S1:E1

    In the spring of 1943, disillusioned Army captain Charles Ryder stumbles upon Brideshead, once home to the Marchmain family, and recalls how he visited it for the first time twenty years ago.

    Director:N/A

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  5. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Home and Abroad
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Home and Abroad

    S1:E2

    While Sebastian recovers from a broken foot, Charles is introduced to Sebastian's younger sister Cordelia and his older brother Brideshead "Bridey". Sebastian decides to accept an invitation to Venice by his father, Lord Marchmain, and takes Charles with him.

    Director:N/A

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  6. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - Sebastian Against the World
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #6 - Sebastian Against the World

    S1:E4

    Sebastian's alcoholism, depression, and misbehaviour become more and more of a problem. At an unhappy Easter at Brideshead, Charles tries to reason with him and is left devastated.

    Director:N/A

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  7. undefined Season 1 Episode 2 - Rumpole and the Alternative Society
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #7 - 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:N/A

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  8. undefined Season 1 Episode 3 - Rumpole and the Honourable Member
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #8 - 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:N/A

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  9. undefined Season 1 Episode 4 - Rumpole and the Married Lady
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #9 - 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:N/A

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  10. undefined Season 1 Episode 6 - Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #10 - 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:N/A

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  11. undefined Season 1 Episode 1 - Rumpole and the Younger Generation
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #11 - 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:N/A

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  12. undefined Season 2 Episode 2 - Rumpole and the Case of Identity
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #12 - 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:N/A

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  13. undefined Season 2 Episode 3 - Rumpole and the Show Folk
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - 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:N/A

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  14. undefined Season 3 Episode 3 - Rumpole and the Old Boy Net
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #14 - 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:N/A

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  15. undefined Season 3 Episode 5 - Rumpole and the Sporting Life
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #15 - 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:N/A

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  16. undefined Season 4 Episode 1 - Rumpole and the Old, Old Story
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #16 - 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:N/A

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  17. undefined Season 5 Episode 3 - Rumpole and the Age of Miracles
    1.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - 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:N/A

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John Mortimer Ratings Summary

"Rumpole and the Reform of Joby Jonson" is the best rated episode written by John Mortimer. It scored 10/10 based on 1 votes. It was directed by N/A. It aired on 11/19/1992 and is rated 1.0 points higher than their second-best episode, "The Unseen Hook".