I am a huge fan of the Sharpe's series, and Sean Bean in general. I regularly watch the Sharpe's series in succession, and enjoy them all. However, I find the plot to this episode a bit contrived and overdone. (I watch it, because it isn't terrible and is part of a great series, but it is my least favorite.) I groan every time it's revealed that Truman is Sharpe's half brother. I mean, come on... The way his mother was sleeping around, he probably has ten siblings running around the countryside. Not to mention it's the oldest trick in the "melodrama" book. And then, to make the groan-factor that much higher, just when he finds out that Truman is his brother, Truman goes and gets himself shot. You can just hear me rolling my eyes, I'm sure.Ironically, my second to least favorite is Sharpe's Regiment, the only other episode set in England instead of France or Spain. Hmm... Could it be a trend? At least Sharpe's Challenge is set in India and not a retired Sharpe sitting at home twiddling his thumbs and pining over his whore of an ex-wife.

**SPOILER**Not adapted from one of Cornwell's books - as far as i know anyway! And boy does it show! It really wasn't in Sharpe's character to go delving into his past, but he goes ahead and does it anyway. The inclusion of the long lost brother plot is a little trite, but it is quite nice - it emphasises how strong the bond between Sharpe and chosen men is. It was also nice to see more of Hagman who is criminally underused in the series, often seemingly included only to perpetrate some folk singing. Once again Jane is completely bonkers, but Rossendale puts in a good performance as the man completely besotted by the scheming minx and feeling a little guilty about the betrayal of the gallant Major Sharpe. The scene in the square was a little chilling, a precursor to the Peterloo massacre that took place not long after. In conclusion though, Sharpe just isn't the same when he isn't fighting the French.

A nonsensical plot about evil Mill Owners in Yorkshire made worse by some contrived rubbish about a long-lost brother. The series had already gone into a huge decline after the excellent first and second seasons but hits rock bottom here.Avoid - at all costs.

This episode although perhaps not the usual swashbuckle,has an added interest for me,as much of the filming took place in my home village of Helmshore.The riot scene was filmed in and around the Helmshore Textile Museum,with the crew setting up on the adjacent carpark,much to the interest of the staff of the nearby Airtours Travel offices.Filming took place for about a week in the month of November. Anyone wishing to see the location can find it on the following website.http://members.xoom.com/zoomer101/HELMSHORE_BULL