The following is commentary on Episode No. 26 ("Believed Killed") from members of AFAMILYATWAR-LIST. If you wish to add your thoughts to what is being said on this page, become a part of our discussion group by clicking the "Join" button.

 

 


 

 

Richard Veit

The return of John Porter from Belgium is the primary focus of “Believed Killed.” It is a very intense episode, exploring John’s readjustment, Margaret’s faithfulness to her husband, and Celia’s selfish attempts to possess her son.

Ian Thompson is compelling as John, deposited back into the civilian world after years of a nightmarish existence among a communist resistance group in Belgium. The Liverpool train sequence is effective, nicely staged with plenty of locomotive steam and uniformed extras. The smiling faces of arriving troops contrast with the blank look of bewilderment in John Porter’s eyes. Back home, he hardly talks to anyone at first, and even when he does open his mouth to speak, he wishes to discuss little else but his son, John George. Ominously, we see that John carries a supply of sleeping pills to help him relax.

Personally, I rather expected Margaret to abandon Michael Armstrong at once, now that her husband has come back to her. But it is not so simple as that. She seems determined to remain loyal to her new love, despite scarcely concealed disapproval from her mother and sister. She even risks staying away from the Ashton house for an extra night, a gamble that backfires in her face. Jean displays a rare outburst of passion when she confronts Margaret about Michael (“You made a promise…in church”).

Celia’s manic possessiveness is quite shocking. She decides to leave Chorley by herself, failing to notify poor Harry that John will be coming home the next day. Then, upon arriving in Liverpool, she snaps at Jean for not ringing her that John had come back a day early. In other words, she readily condemns Jean’s lack of consideration, while extending none of it to her own husband. We feel that she gets what she deserves when John hardly notices her for all his fussing over the baby. As always, Margery Mason is marvelous in the role of Celia. Although some may feel that the actress resorts to histrionics, I disagree. Such behaviour is an essential part of her character, Celia’s desperate attempt to become noticed and curry sympathy from others.

Some further comments about “Believed Killed”…

An intriguing sub-plot unfolds as David, convinced that his wife is seeing another man, sets out to ensnare Peggy Drake, some two years after she has borne his child. There is a dramatic moment when David catches a glimpse of his little daughter, Junie. Another memorable scene occurs when Peggy declares to David that she no longer cares for him and then proceeds to announce that she is getting married in four weeks’ time. How brazenly self-centred it is when David confesses to Peggy that he just wants someone to fill the gap, “but it’s not a gap just anybody could fill."

It is excellent writing by Alexander Baron to have John arrive home a day earlier than expected. This dramatic device—entirely convincing and believable—not only allows Celia to become outraged at Jean’s lack of consideration, but it also places Margaret in the scandalous position of neglecting her husband while sleeping in the arms of another man.

We witness a very touching scene when John breaks down in tears upon seeing his son for the first time.

Sefton can be tender at times as well, as we see when he apologises to his sister after blurting that sometimes all he can see is Tony’s face in the water.

Some funny but quite natural dialogue is heard toward the end of this episode, between Margaret and her husband. The verbal exchange goes like this. Margaret: “Don’t keep saying you’re sorry.” John: “Sorry.”