Contains mild spoilers
When linear television was at its height in the UK, I had my own schedule. I’d flit between channels to catch my favourite programmes, and use things from my own video-cassette collection when there was nothing else worth watching. I had my own schedule: a personal routine of programmes, slotted in perfectly between school, friends, family commitments, homework, and my own projects.
Now it’s the work of being an author, my smallholding, and home life that demand my attention. And I’m a creature of habit, so I absolutely need my routines.
I take the mick out of my need for routine and structure in one of the stories in my upcoming short-story collection, Phil’s Marvellous Machine and Other Short Stories.
Below is the viewing diary I keep for myself, but with added context and detail. I might do this every week—we’ll see how it goes. It runs from Saturday to Friday.
Saturday, 1 August
Tightrope
Continuing the 13-part series starring Spencer Banks, John Savident and Sue Holderness. I was busy being merry at a music festival last Friday, so I wasn’t home to continue watching as per my schedule. I was home by Saturday evening, tired and in need of something intriguing but sedate.
I’m watching two episodes a week and I’ve just finished episode 4. It’s getting more intriguing as we get closer to the identity of the ‘Voice of Reason’, causing friction in the school—and becoming more compelling.
Sunday, 2 August
Thunderbirds — Day of Disaster
I haven’t watched Thunderbirds for several months, so this episode was a great way to get back into the series.
A basic story about rescuing some astronauts trapped in their rocket, half-buried on the river bed after the bridge it was being trundled across collapsed spectacularly. The impact started the rocket countdown, giving the men inside just hours to live. On vacation in England, Brains is on hand to help—except everyone thinks he’s an interfering fool.
Under Brains’ direction, Thunderbird 4 frees the buried nose cone of the rocket and Thunderbird 2 lifts it clear of the river just before the rocket takes to the sky and explodes. I think Thunderbirds will become a Sunday-afternoon staple until I’ve watched all 32 original episodes.
Doctor Who: The King’s Demons (Part 1)
Every Doctor Who fan feels down in the dumps sometimes, in need of a fix of their favourite programme. If you’re dipping in and out of various eras—choosing stories at random—then the fix rarely comes in the form of a personal—or fan-favourite—story. Middle-ground Doctor Who. Something familiar. Something reassuringly shit. That’s where The King’s Demons comes in. Unfortunately, the iPlayer malfunctioned during the credits.
Monday, 3 August
Doctor Who: The King’s Demons (Part 2)
Frank Windsor, Isla Blair and Gerald Flood are three excellent reasons why this two-part serial from the middle of the Peter Davison era is better than it should be. The plot is thin, the pace is lackadaisical, and the direction decidedly flat. Despite that, it looks great, and Gerald Flood is great fun as bad King John.
Though it looks good, it’s insubstantial. The story doesn’t end; it just stops. The last word is reserved for the Kamelion prop—it’s worth checking out the documentary on the DVD or the Season 20 Blu-ray.
On The Up (Series 2, Episode 1)
Bob Larbey was the king of light-hearted sitcoms. After taking eight months savouring After Henry, I blasted through the first series of On the Up. It stars Dennis Waterman, Joan Sims and Sam Kelly. Kelly is a real highlight.
Tuesday, 4 August
Gideon’s Way — The Last Episode
The last episode of the run showed Keane in a domestic setting with his girlfriend (played by Jean Marsh). Anton Rodgers was the baddie in this episode, alongside Derek Fowlds.
I have so many thoughts to share on Gideon’s Way that there’s no room for them here. But I will definitely do a full write-up. I’m already missing the show and reading one of John Creasey’s Gideon books (under the pen name J.J. Marric).
Wednesday, 5 August
Ghost Squad
I wasn’t able to watch Ghost Squad on Tuesday because there were too many things going on, but this episode was worth waiting for. William Hartnell was the main guest star, playing a circus owner forced to help with bank robberies. Very strong performance from Hartnell.
Mr. Palfrey of Westminster — The Last Episode
The last episode of the straightforward-spy series made by Thames in 1983, starring Alex McGowen and Caroline Blakiston, is flawed but was most entertaining nonetheless. A full review of Mr. Palfrey will be published in the near future.
Thursday, 6th August 2026
Battlestar Galactica
This is my first time watching Battlestar Galactica. I don’t know anything about it except that it was successfully revived in the 2000s and everyone loved it. I also knew that the original—or ‘classic’—series (I’ve no clue on the terminology used by the series’ fans) was cancelled after one season and revamped two years later. I’ve no idea why the series failed to get renewed both times.
I’m still quite ambivalent towards most of the characters, though I quite like Adama, played by Lorne Greene.
Friday, 7 August
Mr Rose
A great fun episode of Mr Rose, in which the former police detective-turned-successful-author unwittingly helps a conman launch a crooked charity, ‘The Put-Pockets’—a gang of (mostly) former pickpockets, to put cash in the pockets of unsuspecting people in need of help.
Tightrope — Episodes 4 & 5
Back on schedule for the next pair of episodes. The Voice of Truth is revealed and the school is becoming increasingly restless. Will I be able to stick to the rate of two installments per week? Subscribe to Retroscopic to find out!
Next week
Having finished both Gideon’s Way and Mr Palfrey, two new series will join the schedule. I’m thinking of jumping back on to Special Branch with the revamped third series, and Anthony Valentine in Raffles.
Copyright Martin Gregory 2026
If you like tales with a retro feel and vintage vibes, explore my fiction on Amazon:
- Morrison’s Ghost — A novella filled with twists, dark secrets, and the twisted machinations of the state affecting ordinary people (available now in multiple formats).
- Phil’s Marvellous Machine — An upcoming collection featuring two crime/detective stories.
Behind Door 17 – The Man in Room 17 Unofficial Guide
A newly-researched guide to the first series of Robin Chapman’s classic drama.
– Potted Biographies of cast & crew – Production History – Episode Guide – Character Studies – Essays – And more
Available to buy now in paperback and for Kindle. Read Extract
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