TV Gold

Although the events of the previous episode are briefly mentioned, ?The Appointment?, set during February 1905 develops Russian events further with the arrival of a new St Petersburg Chief of Police, in normal times, a fairly minor position. However in this period of civil unrest the incumbent of the position had the power to direct the policies of the regime either towards reform or towards repression. In my opinion the motivations and background of the slightly shifty looking Ratchkovsky (played by Michael Bryant) is central to this eighth episode of the series. It was on the advice of his generals that Ratchkovsky was considered for the post however the former Finance Minister expressed his concerns which in his detailed conversation with the Nicholas clearly leave an indelible impression on the Tsar. Although confronting him about what he has learnt Nicholas duly appoints Ratchkovsky. It is clear that Ratchkovsky?s investiture in the role has unsettling effects on the other members of the Tsar?s staff however Nicholas retains authority and respect for his new Chief of Police. I particularly enjoyed the ?medals ceremony? which directly relates to the Japanese conflict mentioned in the previous episode. As a small representation of the suffering the Russian forces endured it also conveys the love that these service men have for their Tsar and pursuance of their duties, resulting in the overt, somewhat farcical and seemingly unexpected outpouring of emotion that rather overwhelmed Nicholas and his staff. At first sight this episode seems once more to be bereft of further guest stars but look closely and you might come across a few familiar ?Cult TV? faces. Playing Hesse is, Michael Cotterill whom certain viewers might connect to his somewhat gruesome Androgum gourmet character, Shockeye o? the Quawncing Grig. Although here minus his red hair and slightly ?suspect? completion I quickly nailed the actor from the 1985 Doctor Who story ?The Two Doctors?. And while we are on the subject of Who related actors (you might have gathered I have a bit of an interest) if you have ever wondered what Peter Pratt (who featured in the 1976 tale ?The Deadly Assassin?) looked like then pay close attention to the operatic singer featured briefly when Rathkovsky meets with Alexandra towards the end of the episode. The episode draws to a close with intriguing black and white archive film footage matched with Michael Horden informed narration interspersed with a short scene of Ratchkovsky leaving both his Police Chief position and the series from the same secluded setting into which he walked into at the beginning of the episode.