What followed saw Dirk, briefly, discover his softer side, and a recently sentient computer programme discover a love of both chips and Dirk in that order. Lydia Wilson was charming as ABH-committing AI unit Jane, who approached the role with a kooky Scandinavian accent and great comic timing.

The reintroduction of Helen Baxendale as Susan, crucially, gave Macduff something to do (even if it was largely to ignore her), and the end of the episode saw a much-needed explanation of why he puts up with all of Dirk’s monkeyshines. Macduff suspects that Dirk Gently might just be brilliant, and you know what, I’m half way to agreeing with him.

Not quite brilliant perhaps, but certainly entertaining and bouncing with life compared to last week’s slightly shaky opener. There was an actual mystery to solve this week, built around the rather creepy and sad story of Professor Jericho (Bill Paterson) and his comatose daughter.

TV and film have long taught us that the discovery of a secret child’s bedroom behind a hidden passageway isn’t usually an indicator of anything very nice, but in this case, the devotion of a grieving father was the cause. Bill Paterson was a fine temporary addition to the cast, as was the (gloriously named, incidentally) Sylvestra Le Touzel in the role of Professor Ransome.

As Dirk’s secretary, Campus’ Lisa Jackson has yet to utter (or scream) more than a line, so hopefully we’ll see more from her in next week’s episode.