For the first time the weekly Retroscopic Roundup is available in Pdf form. I haven’t done anything like that before, so I hope it works and looks okay. Please let me know if it doesn’t.
This diary has been a real eye-opener for me. For example, I failed to realise there are weeks when I watch a lot of sci-fi (or ‘spy-fi’), and other weeks the genre is almost completely abandoned. Some weeks I watch a few different sitcoms, other weeks they barely get a look in. It’s not a conscious decision, but kind of funny, in an odd sort of way. I guess every viewer has their own individual quirks. Feel free to share yours, and any thoughts on the contents of this article in the comments section.
Presented below is an extended version of my personal viewing diary, which I keep to remind myself where I’m up to in the various series I enjoy. The full ‘story so far’, including why I’m such a routine-driven control-freak is at the bottom of the page.
*Contains spoilers
Saturday 26th September
Mr. Rose
There’s a recurring theme in this series of Rose trying new secretaries, only for them to exacerbate his problems in one way or another. This time, his secretary takes matters into her own hands to find the identity of a murderer among an intense group of bohemian artists.
This marks the end of the second series with only five episodes of Mr. Rose left to watch.
Saturday Night Movie: The Italian Job
Continuing the semi-recurring theme of classic movies I’ve never seen, The Italian Job was a last-minute choice. No CGI or AI but real cars falling over cliffs, real driving into the back of a coach and real explosions. The score is entirely of the era and is as essential as the amazing visuals. The ending is famous but at face value, it’s abrupt. If I had one complaint, it’s the movie’s brevity. I would like to have spent longer with the characters. Saturday Movie Night is still going strong.
Sunday 27th September
Nicholas Nickleby Episode 5 (of 6)
Smike is freed by Wackford Squeers newest opponent, CHARACTER’S NAME, while evil Uncle Ralph steps up his campaign to marry Kate (Nicholas’ sister) to the cad Sir NAME
On The Up Temporary Secretary Series 3, episode 3 (of 6)
Maggie has gone away, leaving everyone wondering when she will return. Meanwhile, Dawn takes on her job in the office, until a flu epidemic causes most of Tony’s drivers to call in sick. The moonlighting model, along with Sam (Sam Kelly) and Tony (Dennis Waterman) don the chauffeur cap to keep business going. Mrs. Wembley (Joan Sims) and Tony’s mum (actress) hold the fort in the office, despite being afraid of the computer and saying ‘thank you’ into the fax machine!
I found this to be a broadly entertaining installment, but the episodes that explore the characters and their various dynamics are much stronger.
Nearest and Dearest Series 1, episode 3
Monday 28th September
Upstairs, Downstairs Series 1, episodes 1 & 2
I used to catch bits of Upstairs, Downstairs while channel hopping. My Mum loves it, and everyone on social media told me I was going to love it.
First impressions: It’s a very competent production (made by London Weekend Television for ITV). The quality of the writing is in evidence from the start: Sarah being badgered at the dinner table to say something in French, goes one better and sings a French song instead. The characters and the drama ‘downstairs’ feels believable but having watched two episodes and seen more of the Bellamys upstairs, I wonder if I’ll struggle with them.
Tuesday 29th September
The Last Place on Earth Gentlemen and Players Episode 4 (of 7)
Bad morale in both the British and Norwegian camps. Scott may regret his expedition’s over-reliance on ponies and its early faith in motorised transport.
I keep asking myself why The Last Place on Earth isn’t more widely remembered. It was a big budget prestige production with a fine cast and an enthralling, true, story to tell. It’s full of actors who went on to even bigger things, and yet very few have heard of it. Though I broadly know the history of the race to the South Pole, the finer details are new to me, so I don’t want to potentially spoiler myself by succumbing to curiosity and investigating the reasons why it isn’t famous.
Unless you, kind reader, are also watching this programme for the first time (in which case, please share your thoughts below) and sensitive to spoilers, you’re free to look it up. You certainly don’t have to endure my theories.
The writing is very good, as is the direction and location filming. The cast are working hard, and despite the number of protagonists they were all established well in the opening episodes. But it is dry. Tinderbox dry. At times, the narrative plods. As Scott’s wife, Susan Wooldridge was histrionic, the actors comprising the Norwegian expedition with the exception of its leader, Roald Amundsen (Sverre Anker) were unknown to the British audience, as were McCoy, Nighy and
Richard Morant, who plays Captain “Titus” Oates. There’s evidence this production was not as kind to the animals used in the filming as perhaps they could have been, which makes for uncomfortable viewing at times. It’s also a little bit soulless and entirely joyless. Given the real-life outcome of this tale, joyless may be appropriate, however.
I sat through the, frankly interminable 90 minute opening-episode and the slow installment that followed, certain it would become more exciting once the respective sea voyages to Antarctica began. And it did. I’m expecting the drama levels to creep up now that both expedition leaders realise they’re in a race to the Pole. I hope I’m right again.
Stars Martin Shaw and Stephen Moore, Richard Morant, Sverre Anker with Bill Nighy, Sylvester McCoy and Hugh Grant in supporting roles.
Mr Big Series The Sheiks Series 2, episode 3
‘This was a rather silly episode’. That’s what I was going to say, but then I realised that, actually, every episode of Mr. Big is rather silly. Eddie disguises himself as a sheik, with his gang in burqa’s as his three wives to infiltrate a top London hotel. As usual, the plan goes wrong and Eddie gets distracted when a real Sheikh wants to buy Ginger (Ian Lavender), concealed by the burqa. In fairness, it’s the most useful thing Ginger could ever do. If only Eddie could get away with it. Poor Eddie, he seems to say that a lot.
I have almost finished Mr. Big, and I’m already looking around for another Peter Jones sitcom. He was in The Rag Trade, which I’ve never seen, so that’s a possibility.
Wednesday 30th September
Raffles The Last Laugh Episode 6 (of 14)
Raffles is good fun but this episode wasn’t quite as fun as the last episode, which involved a hugely implausible feat of endurance from Raffles. This episode, in which the amateur thief attempts to steal a piece of jewellery in a room full of people, including a police inspector who suspects him of being a gentleman villain, makes the character look like a kleptomaniac. It doesn’t come over as audacious but foolhardy in the extreme. I exhausted my patience exhausted with this.
Thursday 1st October
Probation Officer Episode 5
Episode 4 of Probation Officer is missing from the archive so the DVD goes straight to the fifth episode. The plot of the third episode looped back to the situation the probation officers were dealing with in the first episode. The second episode sat in the middle of this two-episode story arc. (As discussed in this blog two weeks ago, the episode presented a highly engaging and extremely mature story.) The third episode looped back to the first, it’s possible the missing fourth installment linked back to the second. I am unable to find an episode synopsis online, so I’ll have to go on wondering. But what did I make of episode five?
Despite starring Alfred Burke as a man married to an ex-prostitute, and the script gave Honor Blackman more to do, it was so very dull, I literally couldn’t wait for it to end. The dialogue was dry and lacked sparkle. Alfred Burke was a fantastic actor but was wasted in playing a petty jealous husband. The episode ended with the couple having made-up and inviting the probation officers for a drink to celebrate, only to start arguing again just moments before the officers arrived. Was everyone too quick to celebrate? I’m curious about the format of this series. Is it a different story-of-the-week, or are we heading for a soap-opera style show? It will be interesting to find out. Well, I hope so anyway.
You can track my findings as I go on with Probation Officer by following on Facebook or subscribing to get this blog in your emails
Space Precinct The Power
Regular readers will know this is where I gush over the casually spectacular Space Precinct. To cut a long story short: I’ve never seen Space Precinct before. It’s flashy. I love it.
Nearest & Dearest
This series is really making me laugh. The setting of the pickle factory is unusual, and although the actors did not enjoy working together, they have strong chemistry. I have vague memories of watching this with my mum as a child and her telling me to watch out for silly old Walter.
I have enjoyed this so much I’ve watched nearly every episode on the single DVD I own (Series 1). By the time you read this, I’ll probably have watched them all .
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. Preview or buy on Amazon
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. Preview or buy on Amazon
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