Clearly made on a punishingly low budget, and the vision of the future is occasionally a bit wonky from a modern perspective, but the five episodes written by series creator Chris Boucher are some of the best, most intelligent, wittiest and most cynical SF ever broadcast by the BBC. The other episodes not so much: everything gets a bit campy and there are a lot of national stereotypes on display. (Plus, the theme tune has been called the worst in TV history, and most of the incidental music is rubbish too.) Even when it's not particularly good, it's always trying to do something a bit different, and David Calder is consistently excellent as Spring. Not the first nor the last SF or fantasy show to be cut loose by the BBC before it had a chance to realise its potential.
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Layer Cake
Book
Layer cake (n): a metaphor for the murky layers of the criminal world. Smooth-talking drug dealer...
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The Assassins (Johnny Swift Thrillers #1)
Book
1914. Tensions are reaching boiling point in Europe and the threat of war is imminent. Johnny...
Historical Fiction Thriller
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Timeless Adventures: How Doctor Who Conquered TV
Book
Timeless Adventures reveals how Doctor Who has been at its strongest when it reflects the political...
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Harry Potter: A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts
Book
The history of magic is as long as time and as wide as the world. In every culture, in every age, in...
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Doctor Who - Season 25
TV Season
The twenty-fifth season of British science fiction television series Doctor Who began on 5 October...
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The Gallows Pole
Book
'I saw them. Stag-headed men dancing out on the moor at midnight, nostrils flared and steam...
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Song of the Huntress
Book
A must-read for fans of Circe, Song of the Huntress recasts the folklore behind the Wild Hunt into a...
British Myth Historical fiction
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Venator (Roman Equestrian #1)
Book
Britannia, AD 59. Decimus is a long-serving senior centurion who dreams of retirement in Rome....
Historical Fiction Ancient Rome Ancient Britain
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Milligan's Meaning of Life: An Autobiography of Sorts
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Milligan's Meaning of Life is a glorious celebration of the legendary Spike Milligan. Here you will...