The penultimate outing for "Thriller" is in my opinion its worst, rivaled by "Kiss Me and Die" and "Murder Motel". It was a sign that this splendid series had run its course, at least at that point.

The action opens with the fatal stabbing of a teenage girl in a forest. The murder is unsolved after five years so her uncle and guardian, Arnold Tully, visits the office of J. Baxter, a private eye. When he gets there he meets J. Baxter's wife, Jody. and assumes she is the private eye before she can explain. She takes on the job anyway. She finds that everyone assumes the killer is a local actor called Peter Ingram, but there has been insufficient evidence to charge him. While Ingram is an unpleasant figure with an unhealthy interest in women, Jody is not convinced of his guilt. Jody makes good use of some apparently trivial details but her search for the killer leads her into danger.

Although this story outline could have led to a good episode the actual results are very disappointing. Almost all the characters are dislikeable, with only Jody attracting any positive feeling. While Tully has clearly had a tragic past his obsessive attitude towards his niece is rather creepy and, if not pedophile, is certainly too close. Ingram is one of several characters, including Tully with a tiresome preoccupation with the theatre. The detective George, played by Brian Blessed, is rather boorish. Mrs. Fitch, Tully's Cockney housekeeper, is dismally deferential in a way more suited to the Victorian age. Jody's semi-estranged husband Johnny has nothing useful to contribute.

The acting performances are sound but fail to give a mediocre offering a necessary lift. This is despite the presence of renowned actors such as Blessed and Freddie Jones as Tully, although neither is a favourite of mine with their expansive styles. Joanna Pettet as Jody is quite effective and certainly makes an attractive sight for the male viewer.

Attitudes to women in "Thriller" were frequently patronizing and predatory but here these tendencies become overbearing - the treatment of both the murdered girl and Jody demonstrate this. Given the grim murder storyline the presence of some supposed humour in the interchanges between Jody and Johnny is quite out-of-place. The final scene is a sickly piece of nonsense that would better suit "Hart To Hart".

That last scene is a shame because the climax to the murder story was quite well done. It ends in a fairly low-key but quite poignant fashion. It breaks from the often-clichéd dramatic confrontations that ended many episodes, although a little more "bite" wouldn't have gone amiss.

This is really for "Thriller" completists only but hopefully it makes more impact if you do encounter it.

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

The fantasy genre features imaginative and often magical worlds, characters, and events. It explores realms beyond the boundaries of reality, featuring elements such as magic, mythical creatures, supernatural powers, and fantastical settings. These stories can take place in entirely fictional worlds or blend fantastical elements with real-world settings.

Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The horror genre features stories that aim to elicit fear, suspense, and a sense of dread in its audience. Horror stories often explore themes related to the unknown, the supernatural, and the macabre, and they frequently evoke strong emotional reactions such as anxiety, terror, and unease.

The mystery genre features the investigation and solving of a puzzle, typically a crime or an enigmatic event. Mysteries are known for their suspenseful narratives, intricate plots, and the challenge they present to readers or viewers to piece together clues and solve the central mystery alongside the characters.

Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in Chinatown (1974)

The thriller genre features suspense, tension, and excitement. These stories are known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and delivering intense emotional experiences by revolving around high-stakes situations, dangerous conflicts, and the constant anticipation of unexpected events.

A young woman's knowledge of Shakespeare helps her solve a five-year-old mystery.

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Brian Blessed, Diana Dors, Sinéad Cusack, Don Henderson, Freddie Jones, Nyree Dawn Porter, Robert Powell, and Dennis Waterman in Thriller (1973)

Brian Blessed and Thom Delaney in Thriller (1973)

A Midsummer Nightmare

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