Categories
Red Dwarf Season 08

Only The Good…

Red DwarfRed Dwarf rescues a life pod with a sole survivor and an unwelcome visitor – a shapeshifting, corrosive microscopic life form which begins eating away at the ship, though no one realizes this just yet. After Lister tricks him into embarassing Kochanski, Kryten vows revenge, planting a fellow prisoner’s secret stash of home-brewed booze in Lister and Rimmer’s cell. But that prisoner’s response – basically a death threat – requires a new escape attempt. En route to steal a ship, they see the corroded life pod, and Lister decides that Captain Hollister must be informed of the imminent danger. Hollister rewards the prisoners by thanking them for giving Red Dwarf’s officers and crew time to escape…and then announces that all prisoners will be left behind to die.

Order the DVDswritten by Doug Naylor
directed by Ed Bye
music by Howard Goodall

Guest Cast: Mac MacDonald (Captain Hollister), Graham McTavish (Ackerman), Heidi Monsen (Talia), Tony Slattery (Dispensing Machine), Ricky Glover (Baxter), David Verrey (Big Meat)

Original title: Every Dog…

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Classic Series Specials Doctor Who

The Web of Caves

Doctor WhoThe Doctor faces an enemy with plans for world domination …well…actually he hasn’t quite worked out the plan yet…but when he does…watch out…

Order the DVDwritten by Mark Gatiss & David Walliams
director unknown

Cast: Mark Gatiss (The Doctor), David Walliams (Alien), Paul Putner (Alien), Tom Baker (Announcer)

LogBook entry & review by Philip R. Frey

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 1

A Gift From The Glish

HyperdriveIn the year 2151, the spaceship HMS Camden Lock is on a mission to represent British interests in deep space, and that mission is not going smoothly. Captain Henderson has been tasked with the difficult mission of promoting use of the Peterborough Enterprise Zone, but with alien visitors like the Glish, it’s an uphill climb – particularly when part of the ritual of greeting the Glish involves allowing them to lick the people who are greeting them. Offended at the reactions to their friendly greeting, the Glish leave a present for the Camden Lock’s crew – a creature capable of wreaking deadly havoc. Naturally, it’ll choose to do precisely that during the next visit by a foreign dignitary.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Paterson Joseph (Space Marshal), Richard Katz (Male Glish), Katherine Jakeways (Female Glish), Laurence Howarth (Fasmoff), Remi Wilson (Piretti), Joe Marshall (Wade), Waen Shepherd (Captain Helix), Stephanie Dooley (Beautiful Space Lady), Morwenna Banks (Announcer), Maggie Service (Computer voice), Ewan Bailey (Computer voice)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 1

Hello Queppu

HyperdriveCommander Henderson is assigned to open diplomatic relations with an alien race called the Queppu, primarily so the Tesco retail chain can extend its reach across the galaxy. Henderson takes Teal and York with him, insisting that York leave the heavy weaponry on the Camden Lock, but when the Queppu reveal their primitive, warlike tendencies, Henderson’s first contact team is in trouble. Worse yet, he’s left Jeffers in charge of the ship, and when Henderson needs help the most, his crew isn’t there.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Paterson Joseph (Space Marshal), Steven Burrell (Joshua), Geoffrey McGivern (Supreme Ruler), Montserrat Lombard (Lavya), Byron McGuinness (Courtier), Morwenna Banks (Announcer), Maggie Service (Computer voices)

Notes: Geoffrey McGivern was the actor behind the microphone in the original and revived BBC Radio series of Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, though he did not appear in the 1981 TV adaptation (in which he was replaced by David Dixon, who was thought to look more otherworldly).

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 1

Weekend Off

HyperdriveJunior bridge officer Vine obsesses over an online auction for a nearly-uninhabitable planet with almost no mineral value, no life forms, and no precious resources. The source of his obsession is not the planet itself, but the fact that Vine’s longtime auction rival is bidding on the same planet, and he sees an opportunity to out-snipe his old enemy. Soon, Vine is the new owner of a geologically unstable rock that costs him two years’ wages, and wants Jeffers to vacation on his new planet with him. Sandstrom, the genetically-modified navigator, is introduced to chocolate, causing her to become psychotic. Security officer York begins to suspect that all of these events are part of a concentrated effort to eliminate the ship’s senior officers. And he’s right, though he’s guessed completely wrong about who’s behind it and why.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Joe Marshall (Wade), Remi Wilson (Piretti), Morwenna Banks (Announcer), Maggie Service (Computer voices)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 1

Asteroid

HyperdriveThe Camden Lock is sent to play host to representatives from two warring races who stand at the brink of war over the ownership of a mineral-rich asteroid. Henderson is advised to wait for a third ship – full of American mediators – to handle the delicate negotiations. Determined to show that his British ship and crew doesn’t need the Americans to handle the tough jobs, Henderson decides to try a little bit of brinksmanship, threatening to destroy the asteroid so neither party can have it. Then he forgets to countermand that order, and the asteroid is destroyed moments after an agreement is reached. But the alien races remain allies…and join forces against the inept Earth ship. So it’s a great day for interplanetary diplomacy, but a really, really quite spectacularly unlucky day for the crew of the Camden Lock…

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Paterson Joseph (Space Marshal), Colin McFarlane (Male Bulaahg), Martina McClements (Female Bulaahg), James Bachman (Lallakkiss 1), Neil Edmond (Lallakkiss 2), Wren Shepherd (Captain Helix), Morwenna Banks (Announcer), Maggie Service (Computer Voices)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 1

Clare

HyperdriveDuring a joint British/Danish drug blockade, an unidentified ship wanders into the Camden Lock’s search area. But it’s no drug runner – it’s legendary experimental solar sail pilot Clare Winchester, who has been out of contact with the rest of the human race for quite some time. Henderson wants to be the first human to greet her in years, but upon boarding her ship, he finds that Clare has become a little bit eccentric – actually, very, very eccentric. His attempts to help her result in a less than helpful result: namely, he becomes her hostage. Worse yet, York wants to lead a strike team – consisting of the rest of the bridge crew – to save Henderson with the maximum possible amount of violence.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Sally Phillips (Clare Winchester), William Brand (Danish Commander), Remi Wilson (Piretti) Morwenna Banks (Announcer), Maggie Service (Computer Voices)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 1

Assessment

HyperdriveAs the crew is distracted by mandatory psychological assessment tests, the Camden Lock strays into contested space, where automatic defense systems wreak serious damage on Henderson’s ship. He is to submit to a Category “J” inspection in a week’s time, an inspection which has ended many a space captain’s career. Henderson retreats to his quarters and hands command over to York, who promises to have the ship running at peak efficiency before the inspector arrives, and demands unquestioning loyalty and obedience from the crew. The crew, however, has different ideas. In the meantime, pan-galactic beings are contacting Vine in his mind, offering knowledge beyond human comprehension.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York / False York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Paterson Joseph (Space Marshal), Wren Shepherd (Captain Helix), Stephanie Dooley (Beautiful Space Lady), Adam Payne (young Vine), Joe Marshall (Wade), Remi Wilson (Piretti), Chris Brailsford (Space Force Inspector), Sarah Solemani (Alien 1), Katy Brand (Alien 2), Morwenna Banks (Announcer), Maggie Service (Computer Voices), Ewan Bailey (Computer Voices)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 2

Green Javelins

HyperdriveCommander Henderson has big news for the crew of the Camden Lock – due to the destruction of another ship, they have secured a place in the Green Javelins, a stunt-flying squadron of starships showcasing Britain’s finest spaceship builders and crews. What Henderson doesn’t know is that his ship is only filling in for one display, but it’s a big one: an alien government is considering purchasing British-made starships, and even one slightly inept maneuver could end that deal. Worse still, Teal had a previous relationship with the commander of the Green Javelins’ flagship, and is both mortified and intrigued to find that he still harbors feelings for her as well, so much so that he wants her to transfer to his ship. Meanwhile, York creates an artificial replica of himself that bewilders all of his shipmates.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York / False York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Stephen Mangan (Mason), Paterson Joseph (Space Marshal), Marek Larwood (Amorf Spets), Toby Park (McCluskey), Robert Galas (Teenager), Maggie Service (Voices), Ewan Bailey (Voices)

HyperdriveNotes: The Camden Lock is an Andover-class ship. By the end of the episode, the Camden Lock is an Andover-class ship with lots and lots of heavy damage. We also find out that Andover-class ships with lots and lots of heavy damage can land, at least in low-gravity environments such as Earth’s moon. Guest star Stephen Mangan would later take on the title role of the BBC’s TV adaptation of Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently books.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 2

Artefact

HyperdriveThe discovery of an artefact in deep space stirs irresistible curiosity in the crew (except for York, who warns that it is almost certainly a hero trap). After deciphering alien writing on the object, Henderson decides to take it “home”…which turns out to be a planet ruled by the Queppu race. There are cameras installed in an enclosed zone on the planet, where the Queppu send hapless contestants to fight to the death for a television reality show. York is eager for the opportunity to show his killing prowess, while Teal isn’t adjusting well to this new scenario at all. And since he can’t simply say “I’m an Earthling, get me out of here!”, Henderson is baffled as to why the rest of the crew isn’t mounting a rescue…and why no one seems to be rising up to oppose the tyrannical ruler of the Queppu.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Geoffrey McGivern (Supreme Ruler), Montserrat Lombard (Lavya), Hon Ping Tang (Sergeant Destruction), Dustin Demri Burns (Queppu Warrior), Stephan Kreiss (Gunface), Tannoy Voices (Ewan Bailey)

Notes: The Queppu were first encountered in season one (in the episode Hello Queppu, naturally).

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 2

Admiral’s Daughter

HyperdriveThe Camden Lock is dispatched to retrieve the wayward daughter of an Earth admiral, which Teal, York and Vine manage to do in a somewhat clumsy undercover operation. Vine is a bit smitten with the girl, and once he meets her, so is Jeffers. But the admiral’s daughter has such an utter disdain for anything to do with the Earth space service that neither one of them has a chance with her…unless one of them works up the nerve to do something like going against orders.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Catherine Shepherd (Arabella), Paterson Joseph (Space Marshall), Wren Shepherd (Captain Helix), Jim Howick (Swamp Creature), Ewan Bailey (Voices)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 2

Harvest

HyperdriveAn incident during the arrest of an alien goes viral on the news, making the Camden Lock crew, especially York, look thuggish and unsavory. Henderson is left with no choice but to relieve York of duty and put the ship on a heading for the nearest Starbase, where York will disembark in disgrace. Teal is promoted to first officer in his place, but doesn’t really know what to do when, upon arrival at the Starbase, she discovers that alien robots have taken it over to harvest human organs, and intend to do the same to the Camden Lock‘s crew.

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Dan Tetsell (Robot 1), Ben Crowe (Robot 2), Wren Shepherd (Captain Helix), John Roy (Humanoid Alien), Ewan Bailey (Voices)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 2

Dreamgate

HyperdriveA routine inspection of a ship in deep space puts Henderson in possession of a forbidden device known as a dreamgate, enabling its user to experience the dreams of others. While Henderson and York both know the dreamgate should be destroyed to prevent its misuse, they proceed to misuse it to peek into the others’ subconscious. When they discover that Vine’s subconscious is basically a 1990s pub – or, as York puts it, his “pubconscious” mind – they find it difficult to return to reality.

written by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Wren Shepherd (Captain Helix), Tom Basden (Lallakkiss), Fox Jackson Keen (Lallakkid), Pastie Lord (Andy Riley), Maggie Service (Voices)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Hyperdrive Season 2

Convoy

HyperdriveThe Camden Lock joins a convoy to escort a British-built space superweapon to a classified location. Henderson naturally takes the opportunity to flirt with the female commanders of the other two ships in the convoy, and with his attention on that matter, the Scrane’s sudden overwhelming attack to seize the weapon for themselves comes as a bit of a surprise. The Scrane are driven off, and a prisoner is taken who claims that there is a traitor among Henderson’s senior crew – an accusation that York finds evidence to back up in the wreckage of the Scrane ship. But who among Henderson’s crew would sell out Earth?

Order the DVDsDownload this episode via Amazonwritten by Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley
directed by John Henderson
music by Mark Thomas

HyperdriveCast: Nick Frost (Henderson), Kevin Eldon (York), Miranda Hart (Teal), Dan Antopolski (Jeffers), Stephen Evans (Vine), Petra Massey (Sandstrom), Wren Shepherd (Captain Helix), Paterson Joseph (Space Marshal), Clare Thomson (Commander Roche), Thalia Zucchi (Commander Gulati), Alisdair McKee (Scrane), Ewan Bailey (Voice Over), Maggie Service (Voice Over)

Notes: This is the final episode, to date, of Hyperdrive. Although Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley Hyperdrivedeveloped outlines for a third season, a third year of the show was never commissioned. Nick Frost has gone on to appear in, among other things, the 2014 Doctor Who Christmas special (as Santa Claus, no less), while Miranda Hart moved on to greater fame in both Call The Midwife and her own self-titled sitcom (and has been mooted as a possible female Doctor Who every time the subject of selecting a new star for that show has come up since Hyperdrive’s conclusion). Kevin Eldon also moved on to a self-titled sitcom, and has more recently been the voice of Penfold in the revived Danger Mouse series and appeared as Camello in Game Of Thrones.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

Categories
Season 2 Torchwood

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

TorchwoodSome time after Captain Jack’s mysterious disappearance, Torchwood has continued to track down aliens and their artifacts as they seep through the interdimensional rift running through Cardiff. Gwen has assumed command, but she’s left at a bit of a loose end when Jack suddenly returns, and a new mystery conveniently prevents him from explaining where he’s been. That mystery arrives in the form of Captain John Hart, who introduces himself as a former time agent – like Jack – though no one’s quite sure what that means. He’s on Earth to seek Torchwood’s help, but Jack has grave misgivings about his former fellow con man’s mission. But when he picks up on how little Jack’s team know about him, Captain John takes the opportunity to stir their vague mistrust of their leader.

Season 2 Regular Cast: John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness), Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper), Burn Gorman (Owen Harper), Naoko Mori (Toshiko Sato), Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto Jones)

Order the DVDsDownload this episodewritten by Chris Chibnall
directed by Ashley Way
music by Murray Gold

Guest Cast: Kai Owen (Rhys Williams), James Marsters (Captain John Hart), Menna Trussler (Old Woman), Paul Kasey (Blowfish), Crispin Layfield (Mugger), Nathan Ryan (Victim), Inika Leigh Wright (Hologram Woman), Sarah Whyte (Teenage Girl)

LogBook entry by Earl Green