Contains mild spoilers
The holiday is over, and I’m back in my favourite armchair, slipping back into familiar viewing habits. Below is my ‘viewing diary’ that I use to kept track of where I am. It’s fully expanded for your reading pleasure, with a preview of the week ahead. The full background ‘story so far’ is at the foot of the page.
Saturday 12th September
Danger Man Episode 61: Parallel Lines Sometimes Meet
An interesting episode scripted by former Doctor Who writer Malcolm Hulke in which two English scientists disappear from a beach. Drake pursues them to Haiti. Guest appearance by Moira Redmond.
Saturday Night Movie: Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Silk Stocking
I could watch Rupert Everett play Holmes for hours, but I gather this film wasn’t popular with audiences when first released, which probably explains why it’s his one and only outing as the Great Detective. A pity.
Though this is a new tale, it’s very Holmesian and the character behaves in a manner aficionados know and adore. I’ve seen this movie before, but I wanted something undemanding to keep Movie Night going, and this worked a treat. I’ve no idea what I’ll choose next week though. Subscribe for free to the weekly Retroscopic Roundup to find out.
Sunday 13th September
Thunderbirds Martian Invasion
A fun episode in which the Hood engineers an accident on a film set in order to record Thunderbird 1 and Thunderbird 2 responding to the emergency. His plan is ultimately foiled, and International Rescue’s secrets remain safe. Thunderbirds on Sunday afternoon really works for me.
Nicholas Nickleby Episode 3 of 6
This is going down a treat, as is the newly-minted Classic Serial Sunday – devised to replace ‘Sci-Fi Sunday’ (because I can’t find a decent classic sci-fi show that I haven’t seen).
To complement this endeavour, I have also resurrected a classic Sunday lunch, something I didn’t stick to doing week, ans eventually stopped having it completely. It’s a variation of a classic roast dinner, except I steam, grill or air-fry the various components.
This adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic, Nicholas Nickleby was made for the BBC in 1977 and is really well-acted, even when the script calls for Patricia Routledge to wail and generally behave outrageously in a truly scene-stealing performance.
On The Up Series 2, episode 1
Ruth is trying to be friendly, but it isn’t working. A mix-up involving a fancy-dress party leads to an embarrassing situation for her and Tony, while Mrs. Wembley proudly displays her no-nonsense nature.
Monday 14th September
Space Precinct Time to Kill
My watching companion for this series quickly became besotted with it. It’s our first time watching Space Precinct, and we love it. Sometimes the plot falls apart and the acting (with the exception of Ted Shackleford) is sometimes a bit wooden, but it’s always imaginative, accessible and action-packed.
This was a great episode in which it seemed tarn office Took, played by Mary Woodvine (daughter of actor John Woodvine) had been murdered, before slowly the whole team are bumped off. A highly dramatic episode, it kept us gripped. If only I’d chosen Space Precinct instead of Battlestar Galactica to save Sci-Fi Sunday.
Tuesday 15th September
Probation Officer Series 1, episode 1
Time to try something new, and I was quite keen to open one of the new Network DVDs I treated myself to. I’ve not seen this series before, but one of the leads is Honor Blackman, and the male lead is John Paul (best remembered for Doomwatch). Guest appearance by Richard Vernon and Mervyn Hayes as a young drug addict.
Wednesday 16th September
Probation Officer Series 2, Episode 2
This is an extremely powerful piece of television. It was powerful when originally broadcast and lost none of its potency in the last 68 years. Main (John Paul) is approached by the father of a teenage son (Earl Cameron), who is dating a white girl of his own age. Attracting unwanted, and sometimes threatening, attention from a gang of violent youths, he’s worried their association will continue to mean nothing but trouble the longer it goes on.
Though some of the language may offend, this is an extremely intelligent and well-balanced drama that combines a first-rate script and a committed cast. It also depicts the first interracial kiss seen on British television.
Though I’d love to write more about the themes and the way they were explored throghout the drama subject is too weighty to do justice to here.
It’s highly unusual for me to watch two installments of the same thing back-to-back on the same or on consecutive days – unless the programme in question has been specifically selected for binge-watching (a rarity), I can’t stop thinking about it, or attempting to embed something new. Also, I wasn’t sure if Probation Officer is afternoon or evening-level watching. Some things I would never consider watching in the afternoon, some reserved for late evening, and vice versa. After yesterday’s episode, I thought this would be an afternoon show but this hard-hitting instalment has caused me to rethink.
Man at the Top Series, Episode 7
More heavy drama. Last time, Joe Lampton’s daughter died following a road accident, so I knew this was likely to be another powerful episode.
Things are looking bad for Susan (Joe’s wife). She was driving the car and blames herself for her daughter’s death. Her wealthy parents have checked her into a nursing home at her request, where she starts to retreat further into herself.
Meanwhile, Joe returns home to his old stomping grounds, where he briefly considers reconnecting with his roots by starting up a local business. But the ‘true Northern spirit’ from days of yore are no more, as he realises the local businessmen are as corrupt and ruthless as the high-flyers in London. He’s dealt another blow when he receives a letter from Susan asking him not to visit again. A very sombre Joe heads off into the sunset and, once again, we have no idea where he’ll go next.
Mr. Big Series 2, Episode 2
It’s time to flip the script and go for some light comedy to round off a heavy day of drama. Things are worse than ever for Eddie and his lovable family of thieves and hucksters; all the local shopkeepers know their little tricks, the roof’s leaking and Eddie spent their last couple of quid on a big bag of Liquorice Allsorts. A plan is hatched, a burglary is attempted and a buffet is gleefully raided, but all to no avail. But at least Ginger had a bath.
Guest appearances by Simon Williams and Angela Thorn.
Thursday 13th September
Sword of Freedom The Woman in the Picture
The great artists of the past and present are represented in de Medici’s proud collection, with one notable exception: Leonardo da Vinci. The Duke wants to acquire Leonardo’s Mona Lisa for a Spanish art collector, but Marco devises an ingenious scheme to keep the painting in Florence.
Raffles Series 1, episode 5 The Chest of Silver
Raffles robbing a bank vault by hiding in a chest alleged to contain a ton of Bunny’s silver? This was ridiculous. Utterly barmy and unbelievable. But it was enormous fun and I love the pairing of Anthony Valentine and Christopher Strauli. They’re perfect for their roles.
Friday 14th September
Mr. Rose Series 2, episode 5
This was a really funny episode. The series just gets quirkier as it goes on. This time, ex-police chief inspector Rose must uncover the attempted murder of a small-time director of commercials. Rose was the intended victim. Or was he? An investigation ensues. It was almost farcical in places. It’s a shame I only have a handful of episodes left to watch.
Red Dwarf Series 12, episode 3 Mechocracy
Though some of the jokes are a bit long-winded, I really admire Doug Naylor’s imagination at work in the scripts for Dave-era Dwarf.
In Mechocracy, the vending machines and service computers of Red Dwarf go on strike until a representative to champion their rights is elected. Kryten stands opposite Rimmer, with Lister and Cat as their (in the case of Cat) reluctant running-mates. I know a lot of fans criticize these late-era episodes of the former BBC comedy, but I’m inclined to disagree. Everything people say may be true, but it’s still Red Dwarf. The basic concept of the show is hilarious, and the world is a better place for Mechocracy.
Nearest and Dearest Series 1, episode 1 Comes to Us All (Thicker Than Water)
First time watching this comedy made by Granada Television in 1968, and I laughed so much. I laughed out loud at Hilda’s horror at the thought of her father lying in state without his false teeth. The siblings agreeing the smell of pickles clings cracked me up too. I could really get into this.
NEXT WEEK:
Though I often deviate, sometimes wildly, from the script, a rough guide to the stuff I expect to watch during the week ahead is below. Become a free subscriber to this Retroscopic Weekly Roundup by Martin Gregory to check how I get on.
Saturday: Danger Man and the Saturday Night Movie (Provisionally Batman and Robin)
Sunday: Thunderbirds and Nicholas Nickleby (episode 4 of 6)
Monday: The Bill and The Last Place on Earth (episode 4 of 6)
Tuesday: Special Branch and Mr. Big
Wednesday: Ghost Squad and Space Precinct
Thursday: Man at the The Top and Nearest and Dearest
Friday: Red Dwarf (random episode selection), On The Up.
Copyright Martin Gregory 2026
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