Reflections on aspects of existentialism in “Public Eye” (TV series 1965 – 1975)
Created by Roger Marshall
and Anthony Marriott
Starring Alfred Burke as
Frank Marker
A video presentation of this material is available
here.
“Public Eye” was a TV drama
which ran for seven series from the mid-sixties to the mid-seventies. It
revolved around the investigations of Frank Marker, a slightly down-at-heel but
highly principled inquiry agent, usually into low-key, familiar and “realistic”
problems and situations.
Produced during the same
period as shows such as “The Avengers”, “The Saint”, “Department S” and
American shows such as “Kojak”, “Cannon” and “Hawaii five-0”, “Public Eye”
represented a significant and deliberate departure from these flashy, highly dramatic
and exciting shows. It focused on more human, recognisable and identifiable characters
and situations that were nonetheless intriguing and involving, and allowed the
viewer to engage with others’ lives and see possible outcomes, problems and
complications arising from those lives.
Marker’s inquiries touch
upon human relationships, social attitudes, legal and moral challenges and
above all the choices people make in their lives and the consequences of these
choices. His tales accentuate the fact our lives are interwoven and actions and
decisions we take will impact on others.
We all experience problems
in our lives and for the most part we turn to friends, family or the
authorities for help. Frank Marker is there if these avenues are not readily
open. He offers his services to look in to situations and at the same time
enables the viewer to do so as well. He is a sort of impartial observer with a
voice of reason and objectivity who seeks truth and clarity where emotion,
anxiety or anger may cloud judgement.
He walks a dangerous and
difficult path as his genuine willingness and desire to help his clients mean
that he will become embroiled in their situations. Faced with this existential
conundrum, he behaves like a human being – he cannot stand back and allow
circumstances to develop if he has some insight or thinks he can offer some
positive input. We all muddle through life impacting on one another’s lives but
Marker seems willing to recognise and accept responsibility for his actions,
sometimes paying a heavy price for his “interference”.
Marker is not driven by ambition
or a desire for money but rather a wish to help his clients while seeking truth
and clarity. Of course, he doesn’t do it out of the goodness of his heart – he is
paid for his services as, like all of us, he has to make a living, but his primary
concern is to do his best for his client. His fee is simply a fair recompense
for his time and effort. Ultimately, Marker seems to value the help he can
offer his clients above personal financial gain, highlighting the importance of
personal input and support in society as opposed to mere commercial
interaction.
In terms of social
interaction, he is fiercely independent, sure of his own ethics and is not at
all keen on personal or romantic involvement. His strength of conviction and
clarity of thought and perception make the compromise required for a close
relationship or friendship very difficult for him.
The show offers insight
into the human condition and, generally speaking, the problems and situations
of clients are the centre of attention while Marker’s character is cleverly
drawn through his reaction to events and interaction with other characters.
Marker and, at times, his friend Detective Inspector Percy Firbank, uncover
truth which may have consequences but these consequences are always down to
choices made by those involved, though Frank and Percy occasionally have
trouble living with the influence they exercise as a result of their inquiries.
This show may be the
purest exploration of the principles of existentialism yet seen on TV. It
examines closely the interwoven nature of our lives, the impact we have on one
another and the responsibility we may (or may not) feel for this.
It is beautifully written
and produced (given its age), focusing on the ordinary and characters, problems
and choices we may all encounter, one way or another. The acting is of a high
standard throughout but Alfred Burke and Ray Smith deserve particular praise
for their portrayals of Marker and Firbank. Both bring authenticity, sincerity
and vulnerability to their roles and Alfred Burke manages to impart, seemingly
effortlessly, humanity and genuine soul-searching in his portrayal of the
relatively impoverished but highly principled and dedicated Frank Marker.
My thanks for taking the
time to read this page. I hope you found it of some value.
Stuart Fernie
I can be contacted at stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk
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