homicide 307 don't call the cops 308 expectations

 

These two episodes from August/September 1971 were a bit of a milestone for Homicide just after it passed its 300th episode mark. The team began moving into new offices, starting with the 31 August episode listed below in the Age for 26 August 1971. 

There's not a lot of sentimentality in the scheme of things but oddly enough Col Fox does unearth one of Inspector Connelly's old pipes, and it's agreed they'll send it on to him. 

I wonder whether the shift to 'new offices' was prepping for colour tv. Of course it was still some years away for Homicide but they were naturally looking to making their product repeatable long into the future and also, perhaps, hoping for overseas sales. 

This (307) is not a terrible episode in other ways, particularly because of the terrific madness of Wi Kuki Kaa, billed only as Kuki Kaa for this episode. 

It also features Jill Forster, who apparently made mean ladies her specialty, if this article from the Sydney Sun Herald 3 October 1971 p. 103 is to be believed.

The next episode, 'Expectations', concludes the office move. It's not that different but I suppose a little less 1940s shabby but not much. You still have to fit three or more people into frame in what amounts to a kind of stage. 

Lex Mitchell appears again in 'Expectations', in a minor role, playing a nasty piece of work and doing a good job of it.