Sunday 8 June 2008

TV

Red Dwarf
2x04 Stasis Leak
For a show apparently about three people (and a computer) alone in the far future, early Red Dwarf certainly finds a number of ways to introduce other characters -- in this episode, the Dwarfers find a leak that allows them to travel back to three weeks before the ship was destroyed. Do they try to save it? No, they just try to find a way to save one person! There's also a distinct repetition of other Red Dwarf tropes, mainly various forms of time travel, seeing future events, and doubles -- it's especially reminiscent of a couple of first series episodes in this respect (and these ideas will crop up often in future episodes too). (Incidentally, virtual reality is another form the show uses often; not this episode, but the one before it and at least twice in future seasons.)

Spooks
4x05 The Book (aka A Journalist, a Minister and a Conservative Group)
Stylishly directed spy-vs-spy episode. It's notably different to how the first couple of seasons would've handled such a story -- it's increasingly headed in a more "action adventure" direction, like (say) 24, rather than the "relatively believable" initial premise -- but nonetheless entertaining. The conclusion is slightly lacklustre and almost rushed, however -- perhaps the events of this episode will have repercussions in the future?

Wild China
Part 5 Land of the Panda

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