God Helps Those

In the latest of a series of antique shop ram-raids, a Sheraton table Lovejoy has left with another dealer is smashed. The raids are robbing antiques to order, and Lovejoy uncovers a plan to steal a friend's silver. It is the kind of organised theft that makes the trade's usual petty chicanery look almost wholesome.

Meanwhile Jane ropes Lovejoy into organizing a charity auction for the local hospital. On a visit to the geriatric ward he meets Florence and stops her greedy son from making off with her cherished antique condiment sets. Charitable work also brings Jane into contact with Danny, a young man who saves her from a mugging and takes on odd jobs at her house. And Charlie Gimbert is asked by the mysterious Belgian Monsieur Forget to find a particular clock, a quest that lands him among the suspects in the raids, along with Danny. The identity of the real mastermind gives real meaning to the phrase cold as charity.

Ian La Frenais, Jonathan Gash and Tony Marchant wrote it, John Woods directed. Ian McShane is Lovejoy, Phyllis Logan is Lady Jane Felsham, Dudley Sutton is Tinker Dill, and Chris Jury is Eric Catchpole. Malcolm Tierney is Charlie Gimbert, Ronald Pickup plays Edwin Felt, Liz Smith is Florence, Henry Goodman is Monsieur Forget, Jason Flemyng is Danny, and Roger Hammond is Michael Church. Liz Smith, years before The Royle Family made her a national treasure, plays Florence with her usual warmth. Ronald Pickup, Henry Goodman and Jason Flemyng give the supporting cast real weight.

It went out in February 1993. The episode finds its way from charity auctions to organised crime without losing its footing. A community effort, a kind young man, and a series of smash-and-grabs all lead back to the same cold conclusion: the most charitable front can hide the least charitable heart.