Series One, Episode Three (Island at War)

Series One, Episode Three is the third episode of the first series of the television drama "Island at War".

Plot summary

With most of the garrison mobilized to find the missing landser, Wilf Jonas takes the body out on his fishing boat, dumping it in deep water. Upon his return to port we meet "Oberleutnant Flach", the presumptive political officer whose suspicions are aroused by such a long voyage, ostensibly to set lobster pots. Phillip and the now-feverish Eugene remain in hiding in the Jonas barn; a perilous situation, Wilf explains to Felicity, as "it is only a matter of time" before they are found, consigning the family to death for harboring an enemy agent.

Invited to a special session of the Senate, the Baron snubs the Bailiff's attempt to appease him and forestall a reprisal, "10 islanders killed for every German life", and promises to "shoot on sight anyone found on the beaches [at night] ". Back at the Dorr residence, now serving as his HQ, he cautions them privately, "We [are not] playing at war."

Meanwhile on the beach Collin Jonas and his friend Ronald mischievously run off with uniforms and gear doffed while the Germans play volleyball. The ensuing pursuit is broken off when a British reconnaissance aircraft flies over dropping leaflets. Collin runs into an alley where his uncle Sheldon is attempting to sell a car of dubious provenance to "Oberwachtmeister Wimmel", the German quartermaster sergeant. Back at the camera shop Leutnant Walker meets, and is instantly enamored with Zelda Kay. Unaware of her Jewish heritage he insists that she escort him to the officers' party at the 50/50 Club. Under the guise of patronizing the camera shop Bernhardt pursues a courtship with Angelique by offering her eggs, "I tried to buy you chocolates but they were out".

When Felicity Dorr visits her son Phillip and Eugene La Salle at the Jonas' barn, it also affords an opportunity to share a moment of maternal sympathy with Kathleen, Wilf's wife. Bernhardt Telleman again visits the shop but Zelda is there instead and tells him that the German air-raid on the port killed Angelique's father. He buys flowers to lay at the grave and, as luck would have it, finds her also at the cemetery. When she ignores him he chastises her: "... you won't see past the uniform . . I studied law, I am not a ... fighting man .. do you think I want to kill your people?"

That evening at the 50/50 Club Leutnant Walker, having forced Zelda to accompany him, tries in vain to create the mood of a double date when he is joined by Captain Dieter Muller and June, who sings regularly at the club. Meanwhile James and Felicity Dorr try to persuade Eugene La Salle to "hand himself in to the German military" as prisoner of war having escaped from occupied France.

The next morning Wilf is conscripted to serve as the Baron's chauffeur while Sheldon traffics in black-market produce. Oberwachtmeister Wimmel wants in on the profits and blackmails Cassie into a partnership.

That afternoon Felicity finds the Baron in her garden, whom she accuses him of having "no respect for our privacy". "There's a corner of my vineyard," he replies, "which has a wall that was once part of an abbey. I ... sit there late at night, always alone." The arrival of Senator Dorr breaks the mood and the Baron confronts him with his suspicions about Eugene La Salle's true identity, obtained by Captain Muller from Ada, Wilf Jonas' mother.

Again the Baron has the last word, indirectly implicating Phillip in an espionage plot.

References