February 19, 2023 --

Recently, Roger Kimball mentioned Laocoon, a noble and wise prince of defeated Troy, in an American Greatness article, and the name caused an "Aha!" moment, calling to mind the under-secretary, Oliver Lacon, of le Carre's six-part series of the excellent tv version of the spy novel (far superior to the film version with Gary Oldman as George Smiley). There can be only one George Smiley-- the late Alec Guinness.

To make sure LPR's hunch was on target, LPR googled the tv series and, sure enough, there was the name Oliver Lacon, played by Antony Bate, not to be confused with Alan Bates, employer of Zorba, in the film "Zorba the Greek."

Here is a link to the first part of the six-part Tinker, Tailor tv spy series:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW LINK