Contains mild spoilers
The schedule is a bit different this week, knocked off course by seemingly-endless work promoting my new self-published book, (Phil’s Marvellous Machine and Other Stories, available here). How did I manage the diversions, deviations and distractions? Scroll past the preamble to find out.
The Story So Far…
When linear television was at its height in the UK, with 60–80 channels to choose from (depending on regional coverage), I had my own schedule. Flitting between channels to catch my favourite programmes and using tapes from my video cassette collection when there was nothing else worth watching, it was a personal routine of programmes slotted in perfectly between school, friends, family commitments, homework, and my own projects.
Now, it’s my job, smallholding and home life that demand my attention. But I’m a creature of habit, so I absolutely need my routines.
This is the viewing diary that I keep for myself, but with added context and detail. It runs from Saturday to Friday. You might notice that I like my TV shows to be aged to perfection, like wine.
*Contains spoilers
Saturday 15th August
Sergeant Cork (Series 3, Episode 12)
It feels like absolutely ages since Detective Sergeant Cork and DC Marriott were out making enquiries together. Lately, Marriott has been far more intrepid than his increasingly desk-bound superior. A bit of a throwback to the first series, it was also the most straightforward mystery we’ve had in a while. Fantastically well-acted throughout too.
It’s taken a while to reach the end of the third series, but when I look back at each episode that I’ve watched so far, I remember each one very well. I can’t rate Sergeant Cork high enough. It’s made on an absolute shoe-string, but it’s ever so charming and the weekly mysteries are often absorbing.
Space Precinct (Series 1, Episode 1)
By the time I finished various tasks to support the release of the book, I decided it was too late for the usual Saturday night movie. I really did not know what to watch. Then I remembered Space Precinct, hidden away and waiting to be watched.
First impressions: The presentation is a bit clunky, dialogue a little stilted, but the animatronic masks for the aliens are impressive for the time it was made (1994) and Ted Shackelford makes a more than capable lead.
It’s a Gerry Anderson show, so it contains a few of his usual fixations (mighty explosions, high-speed chases), his hallmarks (exceptional modelwork), and a company of actors previously employed on other Anderson projects (Shane Rimmer and David Graham).
Sunday 16th August
Thunderbirds: Operation Crash-Dive
I’ve literally just realised I’m watching these out of order. That’s annoying! This was a fun episode, however. The Fireflash aircraft was in trouble again (harking back to the first episode, Trapped in the Sky). A second International Rescue intervention for the same craft, with Jeff having kept tabs on developments while they’ve been having other adventures, reminds me of the movie Thunderbirds Are Go.
Raffles: Series 1, Episode 2
Last week, I started watching this series starring Anthony Valentine as the gentleman thief, beginning with the pilot/standalone play. This week, the series begins properly with Raffles and Bunny meeting again after a long interval (in the pilot, the character was already installed as Raffles’ partner in crime).
I was quite sleepy when I chose *Raffles* (a very “Sunday evening-y” show) over other regular go-tos like Star Trek or Man at the Top, so I don’t remember every detail. But I laughed a lot, and the plot took several turns as Raffles attempted to steal a priceless tiara while taking the heat off Bunny, who was caught with his hand in his prospective father-in-law’s safe by his chilly girlfriend.
Monday 10th August
Special Branch: Series 3, Episode 1 – A Copper Called Craven
I previously wrote a detailed review of the first two series of Special Branch which can be read here. The show went through various phases, with certain eras proving more popular than others. I haven’t watched Special Branch before and unspoilered in terms of storyline developments, but I know the series continued to evolve until it became almost a prototype for The Sweeney.
The third series begins with a soft introduction to the show’s new style. Recorded entirely on film with a new cast, I wasn’t sure if I’d like it. But this was a great first episode for the revamped format, as George Sewell’s character had to prove his innocence after being heavily implicated in a smuggling operation.
Mr Big: Series 1, Episode 5 – The Gravy Train
Mr. Big starring Peter Jones and Prunella Scales follows a low-level crook and his big criminal plans to get rich with the help of his family. It co-stars Ian Lavender, playing Peter’s son—a slightly older ‘stupid boy’ than Frank Pike—and the lovely Carol Hawkins.
For sci-fi comedy fans, Peter Jones will always be ‘the voice of the book’ in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Prunella Scales did two full series of Mr. Big right in between playing Sybil Fawlty (1975–1979).
It was directed by Ray Butt (who went on to direct Only Fools and Horses) and Dennis Main Wilson, who had a fine pedigree in television dating back to The Goons and Hancock’s Half Hour on radio. Wilson was also instrumental in helping writers like John Sullivan and future national treasure Stephen Fry break into television.
Despite its stellar pedigree, it isn’t well-remembered today—but it’s on YouTube at the moment if you fancy taking a look!
Tuesday 11th August
Zodiac: Series 1, Episode 1
I have seen all six episodes of this crime mystery mixing the art of astrology with a police procedural, but I’m re-watching it with a friend who hasn’t. I actually didn’t remember the first episode at all, and as I come to write about it, I find the details have again slipped into the darker, unreachable recesses of my brain (‘Old Spongy’).
Wednesday 12th August
Battlestar Galactica (1978): The Living Legend (Part 1)
I’m watching Battlestar for the first time, and I have to admit that the further I get into the series, the more confused I become… I don’t know if I missed or misconstrued something in the eventful first five episodes or if there are genuine continuity errors. I’ll have to do a full write-up on it. I don’t really have the time with a new book coming out, but going through it might help me figure out a few details!
The Bill: Series 5, Episode 88 – A Fair Appraisal
I could have watched the second part of Battlestar, opened a beer, and made an evening of the double-header, but I needed to part company with the Cylons and the Galactica crew. A change of direction was needed, so I set forth for Sun Hill. This episode continued the long-running storyline involving PC ‘Taffy’ Edwards, the tension in his marriage, and its knock-on effect at work.
I’m very invested in this character and this semi-recurring storyline because Taff was one of the original characters from the very the very earliest days of the series, back when he and the newboy Jim Carver pounded the beat together.
(For anyone interested, this episode’s listing on Wikifan notes that in 2020, actor Colin Blumenau (Edwards) and writer Garry Lyons recorded a commentary for this episode, found on Patreon.)
On the Up: Series 2, Episode 2
Thursday 13th August
The Last Place on Earth: Episode 1
This miniseries stars Martin Shaw as Scott, whose famed bid to be the first explorer to reach the South Pole became one of those great, romanticised British failures—like the Charge of the Light Brigade.
This six-part dramatisation was made by Central Television for ITV in 1985 and starts with a feature-length instalment focusing on Scott and Shackleton’s developing plans. It’s slow and a little cringe-worthy in places, but I’ll carry on with it next week as I’m looking forward to all the scenes set in the snow.
Friday 14th August
Tightrope: Episodes 7 & 8
Watching this standalone series made for adolescents at a rate of two episodes per week is prolonging the suspense and upping the excitement between instalments. It’s an involving tale of sixth-former Martin getting mixed up with undercover secret agents posing as teachers at his school, which happens to be close to an important airbase. Fantastic Friday fare. There are another five episodes to go, so I’ll round off the slowest marathon on Earth by binging the last three episodes on the same night.
If you want to find out if I can stick to my self-imposed limit of two episodes per week for this compulsive drama, subscribe for free to Retroscopic by Martin Gregory
Copyright Martin Gregory 2026
If you like tales with a retro feel and vintage vibes, explore my fiction on Amazon:
Phil’s childhood friend, old Mr. Murray, becomes an early owner of a brand-new video recorder—and everything changes from there.
Suitable for teens, and adults of (almost) all ages, this collection brings together ten different tales of comedy, mystery, and a touch of the uncanny.
The Man in Room 17
A newly-researched guide to the first series of Robin Chapman’s classic drama. Available to buy now in paperback and for Kindle. READ AN EXTRACT
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