'The Next Victim' was the second episode of Thriller's final series and thankfully is an improvement on the lackluster opener 'Sleepwalker'.
Set during an intense heatwave (summer of 1976 - although transmitted in April) the action centres upon an apartment book where Sandy and Derek Marshall reside. Sandy (played by the striking Carroll Baker) is temporarily confined to a wheelchair following an horrific car accident while Derek is a high profile businessman who specialises in the insurance industry.
Against this backdrop is a serial strangler whom we see ending the lives of a number of unfortunate ladies. To complete the sense of unease, the janitor in the Marshall's building is the disturbing Bartlett who comes complete with a mother and baby fixation.
Derek is called away one bank holiday to a meeting with a Lebonese client while Sandy is left alone in the apartment. She invites a neighbour, Betty, down for a drink but when the latter fails to show, Sandy becomes anxious and fears the worst. Help seems to be at hand when kindly tenant, Tom Packer steps in....
Similar in plot to 'I'm The Girl He Wants To Kill', 'The Next Victim' is sadly not in the same league. There are some decent scenes and TP McKenna's Frampton is enjoyable to watch. The final quarter is very tense as Sandy realises the danger she is in. However the closing scene is somewhat perplexing and feels somewhat unfinished.