"Fifty Ships" Cast and characters This episode introduces Christopher Foyle's former love, Elizabeth Lewes, whom he had hoped to marry over 20 years ago, if his suit had not been denied by her father, who did not want a policeman as a son-in-law. Lewes claims that she never loved her husband although he was always kind. She has two sons, one named Christopher, presumably after Foyle. She tries to seduce him, but without success. It is established that Stewart is 22 years old. Foyle’s warning to Paige in this episode is later fulfilled in "The Eternity Ring" (Series 7, Episode 1), when Foyle returns from America having confronted Paige and perhaps provoked his suicide.
Background and production The title refers to the
Destroyers for Bases Agreement, under which the United States traded 50 U.S. Navy destroyers to the U.K. in exchange for land rights in British colonies. The agreement was a reversal of the U.S.'s
isolationist policy and a precursor to the much more substantial
Lend-Lease programme. The edition of the Eastbourne Chronicle announcing the visit of Paige to Hastings is dated "Wednesday September 14, 1940". Therefore, this episode starts the day after the Season 1 episode -
"Eagle Day". The episode reveals a dark side of the war effort: those willing to profit in wartime at the expense of their countrymen. The subplot involving the capture of the character Hans Maier is based upon a real incident in which a German spy, Carl Meier, was caught when trying to row to the shore after being dropped by a submarine.
"Among the Few" Cast and characters The relationship and sense of trust between Christopher Foyle and his son Andrew is tested when Foyle learns details of Andrew’s secret relationship with (and "engagement" to) Dewar's friend Violet Davies. Foyle again "bends the rules" in deference to the needs of wartime by allowing Talbot, who has confessed to accidentally causing Dewar's death, to lead the squadron on one last sortie, in which he is killed. He then consoles his own son by praising Talbot as a good man.
Background and production This episode addresses petrol theft and
black-marketeering in the new era of
wartime rationing, in which petrol was the first item to be restricted.. The flying
Supermarine Spitfire featured in this episode was Historic Aircraft Collection's Spitfire Mk.Vb BM597, and the airfield filming took place at
Dunsfold.
"War Games" Cast and characters This episode marks the brief return (prior to reassignment to North Africa with the
7th Armoured Division) of Foyle's former police sergeant, Jack Devlin. Now a British Army captain, Devlin left with the
BEF for France and was wounded by
shrapnel there. It also provides details of how Devlin was involved in
planting evidence and
perverting the course of justice in the Markham case six months earlier. Throughout the episode, Foyle is confronted with moral dilemmas and legal compromises made for the sake of the war. It also contains the first appearance of Hilda Pierce of British intelligence, played by
Ellie Haddington, who later appears in the episodes "
The French Drop" and "
All Clear", before becoming a lead character in
series 7 and
8.
Background and production This episode introduces children competing to win a wartime salvaging competition by scavenging scrap
aluminium,
glass and
used paper. It also deals with the
looting of Jewish treasures and the
war profiteering of British companies who continued trading with the Germans in contravention of the
Trading with the Enemy Act 1939.
"The Funk Hole" Cast and characters Andrew is on a week’s medical leave, after an emergency landing that went badly because of anti-aircraft defences on the coast. Stewart takes him out at his father's suggestion, but Andrew feels insulted. Later, he apologises to Stewart and takes her to see
Gone With the Wind. After the movie, while walking back home, they kiss and maybe begin an affair. Meanwhile, Foyle's tense relationship with his boss's successor is shown, when Foyle arrives unannounced in London and confronts him over the handling of the case against him. During Foyle's absence, Stewart is compelled to return to her position at the
Mechanised Transport Corps depot and is bullied by her superior officer. When Andrew is recalled to active service, he and Stewart decide to separate, as Foyle likes to compartmentilise everything and would not approve of the relation.
Background and production In the first year of the war, the British government made dire predictions about the bombing in major cities and
evacuated people to the countryside. Later, the government reversed these predictions but some people who had the means preferred to stay in temporary lodgings, out of danger. Such hotels and guest houses became known as "funk holes" because their residents' actions were regarded as cowardice. With food, especially meat in short supply due to
rationing, the
black market in foodstuffs was also a problem for the authorities. ==International broadcast==