Lovejoy “The March of Time” #1.8 (1986) (TV)

“We should be back home trying to make a dishonest living.”, 5 Novembe 2019

While working to repair a relatively worthless clock, Lovejoy discovers a set of love letters from the time of the Napoleonic Wars.  Lovejoy realizes he may have something of value. When someone steals the clock, Lovejoy’s convinced he’s onto something and decides to investigate.  

The March of Time may not be the best episode, but it’s still an enjoyable, worthwhile experience.  The plot is nothing to write home about - there’s not much danger, there’s no murder to solve, and the story of the letters isn’t as exciting as something like treasure buried under an abbey.  But watching Lovejoy and the sheer pleasure we see on his face as he reads the letters gives as much insight to Lovejoy, the character, as anything we’ve seen so far. When Lovejoy initially finds the letters, you can see the dollar signs in his eyes.  When he meets their rightful owner, the devastatingly (as Lovejoy describes her) beautiful Sophy, we can see something else in his eyes. But in the end, Lovejoy’s love for antiques and doing what’s right wins out and Lovejoy sacrifices money and his shot with Sophy to see the letters made whole.    

6/10