Ronan Vibert, Vibertology, Scarlet Pimpernel, Robespierre, BBC 2/2


	*~ Series Two, Film 2* *n. Friends and Enemies* *- TV Series (BBC) 2000: appx 86mins Ronan content: 16%* Also Includes: Anton Lesser La Forge, Joanna Roth Françoise Picard Dir: Simon Langton Wri:Alan Whiting


	Plot/Comments: A return to form after the disappointing first episode, Friends and Enemies ditches the tired 'escaped noble aristo' storyline and dishes out a strong cast, including Anton Lesser--who, like Vibert always brings an element of serious class to his roles--and Joanna Roth, who was with Vibert in *The Mrs Bradley Mysteries*.


	Coming across scientific plans for a leap in the arms race (in this case, the first proper bomb), Robespierre coerces renowned scientist Antoine Picard into working for him under the threat of the guillotine. However, Picard's sister--and scientific partner--Francoise, escapes into the anonymity of the Parisian masses, taking their detailed writings on explosives with her. Seeking protection from the League of the Pimpernel, she meets Sir Percy, with whom *much banter ensues when she assumes that he is merely an amateur, bungler and imbecile.* When Robespierre first presses Picard into making the bomb, it becomes clear that by "protecting France from her enemies, within and without", he aims to use the technology on his own people (i.e. the counter-revolutionaries, particularly those in the Vendee). Shocked, Picard claims that he would rather die than assist in the murder of his own countrymen; to which, Robespierre dismisses him with a clinical "very well then". Meanwhile, Lesser provides ample support and gravity as the stoic La Forge, who after the anaemic henchmen of the last episode, is a welcome replacement for Chauvelin.


	*The Scarlet Pimpernel Main Page* *NextPimpernel Episode 3* *Back Gimme, Gimme, Gimme* *Back Mrs Bradley Mysteries* *Next Shadow of the Vampire* *Next Summerfolk (audio)* *Next Packard Bell Advertisement* *VIBERTOGRAPHY*


	The episode also benefits from a twist in the plot as *the Pimpernel suspects a mole in the league, narrowing down the culprit to be one of this two closest friends*; the tailor, Planchet (Gerard Murphy); and the artist/forger Mazzarini (Ron Donachie). He lays a careful trap for the betrayer by having Picard's notebook forged with a secret message to Antoine, which tells him to seek rescue by the Pimpernel on the way to the guillotine.


	Antoine sets up a demonstration of the awesome power of his completed Weapon of Destruction to be viewed by La Forge and Robespierre. However, trusting the Pimpernel, he chooses the guillotine by treating The Incorruptible to a dramatic display of fireworks; the final touch being a confetti fountain made of the scraps from his deadly notebook: a Pimpernel signature floating down on Robespierre. A race against time has Francois saving her brother by making a bomb to destroy the oddly clean guillotine (erroneously set up directly in front of Robespierre's offices).

Typical Ronan Character Quotes:

"I am not noted for my sense of humour"
On the Dutch: "Have you tasted what they endearingly refer to as cheese? Quite inedible"
On Picard's notes: "Not my idea of a good book, but I'm told it's explosive reading"
"Your studies into the circulation of blood around the body has been very useful to the Republic"
To La Forge: "The fall of the blade would be such an unfortunate end to an otherwise glittering military career"
On David's Death of Marat painting: "Cold, dead, and yet immortal"

Trivia:

Joanna Roth previously worked with Ronan in The Mrs Bradley Mysteries, although they have no scenes together in Pimpernel. See Loose Ends for details on other people who he has worked with several times.


	Antoine is rescued, the Good British Government gains control of Picard's dangerous notebooks and all is well with the world, with the exception of La Forge, who looks up at *a seething and humiliated Robespierre with the resignation of a man who knows his time is up*. While this might not be hugely memorable, it is very watchable; largely due to the screen presence of the experienced cast and the relatively more diverting storyline.

Ronan content:

The most memorable scene of the episode is Ronan's last, where he is literally blown of his feet by the blast of the bomb outside of his office.
With the wig swept off (showing close-cropped grey hair), he briefly paces in agitation with his hands on his head (a sort of comforting mannerism that Ronan uses for Robespierre in moments of helplessness and defeatism).
Like a small child in a fit of frustration, he drops down to his knees, head and elbows crashing down on the heavy table, only to cause more debris to come falling from the ceiling, covering his head.

n. Thanks to Nicole for helping source the tapes