Harry Rule is still heading up his private band of international detectives and troubleshooters, The Protectors, in this second series of the show. Much like the prior season, the team takes on various cases around Europe. These could be either on behalf of private individuals who have fallen foul of some criminal scheme, or for 'friendly' (that is, western) governments.
Just as the basic outline of the show has not changed, the strengths and weaknesses of this second season are much as they were in the first. The 25-minute running time continues to be a problem, as the set-up, investigation and resolution of each scenario must be rushed through in order to fit the time.
Said scenarios again vary wildly in tone. For instance in the somewhat comical episode "Sugar & Spice", the team must protect a young girl from criminals, without letting her know she is at risk; while at the other end of the spectrum we have the surprisingly thoughtful "Border Line" about the compromises that both governments and individuals will make to their principles, when offered something they desperately want.
In general though, the show definitely leans more toward the light entertainment end of the spectrum, such as the particularly daft episode about a fringe religious group. The people behind the soundtrack certainly seem to approach it as a less than serious program: action sequences are often scored with jaunty tunes that speak more to slapstick than tension.
And then there's the early seventies costuming, which provides what I assume is unintentional comedy.
Such as this.
The Protectors is ultimately a hit and miss affair, with more miss than hit, but the episodes are at least short enough that they rarely outstay their welcome.
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