I am Ashley Elsdon

someone who's doing some things

Category: TV

Yep, TV stuff. I like watching TV. Not all TV, but some shows.

Zen, the BBC drama, not the computer from The Liberator

Posted by on in TVLeave a comment

I recently watched this mini series again and was struck by just how excellent a series it was. There were only three episodes, each of them of almost feature length, but the BBC could have kept it going, it was brilliant, really brilliant, and a real shame that it stopped.

Of course it isn’t the first time that the BBC have made a brilliant drama and then given up on it before it’s had a real chance to get established. They did this with Outcasts, a science fiction series that had potential which was of course, unrealised. I wish they’d get it together and understand that some shows take a little while to get going and establish themselves. They shouldn’t give up so soon. Zen would have been excellent in a second series. Of course it’s too late now, which is such a shame.

Getting to grips with chromecast 

Posted by on in Tech, TVLeave a comment

I only got a Chromecast to try out a particular streaming service to get a specific show, and, that didn’t actually work out, which was a shame. However, the upside was that I’ve found the Chromecast itself really useful. Using it with my Nexus Android tablet has been really handy. I found that I got a load of really good offers which have almost paid for the device, and, talking to a colleague who’s already got a Chromecast, apparently the offers get refreshed, so I’m looking forward to getting more.

So it’s had a double upside, it’s been useful itself, and it’s showed another use for my Nexus which I’ve always sort of struggled to find a proper use for.

Survivors, the original story

Posted by on in Books and Audiobooks, TVLeave a comment

SURVAB001_survivorsbyterrynation_1417SQ

So I finished listening to this audio book. An unabridged version of Terry Nation’s original novel and read by Carolyn Seymour who played Abby Grant in the original 1970s series. It was good. Good in so many ways. Sometimes it really is worth it to hear the original story. Where all the spin offs started and the root of all the versions. That’s certainly the case here. It was well worth it.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed the other versions, both TV series, what Big Finish have done with the full cast audio story, but this has been the best so far. It was coherent and in some ways helped to make sense of the other versions too.

I won’t spoil it in case you are interested enough to read it or listen to it yourself, but it is quite different from both TV versions. I won’t say more than that. I’ll leave it there. At some point I’m going to write a post about all of the versions, perhaps in a few weeks time.

It’s only fair that post 1999 be about Space 1999

Posted by on in Comics, TVLeave a comment
Season 1 DVD Box Set
Season 1 DVD Box Set

It’s only right isn’t it. I’m a fan and I feel that I should dedicate post number 1999 to Space 1999. I’m still slowly making my way through season 2, and if that wasn’t enough I’m not sure that I’ve finished reading the comic editions on comixology either.

Perhaps I need to make a bit more effort and finish off reading and watching this stuff soon, especially after celebrating Space 1999 today.

 

IMG_0245

Day of the Triffids

Posted by on in TVLeave a comment

IMG_5266

The original Day of the Triffid from the 1970s. It was a great story and a good version. It’s interesting to see the differences between this and the newer version, which I really liked. In fact I like both now, and of course the big finish sequel story too, but now I feel like I have to see the new version again.

Watching Survivors, the original series, and comparing it against the newer versions

Posted by on in TVLeave a comment

IMG_5151

I really liked the BBC remake of Survivors and I can just remember the original 1970’s series, so it was interesting to go back and watching the original again after all these years. It’s quite interesting to see the difference between the 1970’s series and the remake.

But not only that, there are massive differences between the two TV series and the Big Finish audio story which was released last year. The fact that all of these things are based on the same basic story is quite amazing.

The 1970’s and 2000’s TV stories have quite substantial differences in their story arcs. In the original 1970’s version Abby Grant only lasts the first season (because the actress was actually sacked from the series). In the remake the she lasts the entire story. In fact the remake is quite different in terms of it’s overall approach. It is more concerned with what caused the disease and has a whole different story around the drug company who created the virus in the first place. This part of the story just doesn’t exist in the original which is much more about people finding ways to subsist and create communities and develop farming methods, and then eventually establish trading a communication between settlements.

If you didn’t know that these stories were based on the same original you’d be forgiven for thinking they had anything to do with one another. Even so, I’ve enjoyed them both. I think it might be time to have a listen to the big finish dramatisation again, and then possibly even read the book.

If I do all that it might just satisfy my obsession with survivors. For now anyway.

I always wanted to be Jim Rockford

Posted by on in TVLeave a comment

IMG_5156

I did. I mean, who didn’t? He was just so cool. Never really phased by anything. The Rockford files is still awesome to this day. I’m slowly making my way through season 1 and will then pick up season 2 immediately afterwards.

And I’m enjoying every episode too, especially the phone messages at the start of every episode!

Falling Skies: Season 4

Posted by on in TV

So I couldn’t help myself. After watching season 3 the whole way through I had to get season 4 as well, and I’ve watched the whole thing now. Of course it leaves off at the end on a cliff hanger. I won’t give anything away though. I thought it was very good, and of course left everything open for season 5 which I believe is coming in 2015.

I think I can wait.

Falling Skies: Season 3

Posted by on in TV

I missed series 3 of falling skies because our then cable TV provider was unable to actually provide a service for reasons best known to them. So when season 4 came out on Channel 5 I thought I might need to catch up. So I decided to buy season 3 on blinkbox and see if it was worth keeping on watching it. It was. In fact, I’ve become somewhat addicted to Falling Skies again.

So I’ve now watched the whole of season 3 and I’m ready for season 4, which I’ve only missed one episode of.

Goodbye D84, all the best, we will miss you

Posted by on in TV

After watching The Robots of Death recently I had to look out some of my favourite D84 quotes as his character was brilliantly written.

So here they are:

DOCTOR: Well, if Taren Capel is on board, he’d have a workshop, and we must find it before it’s too late. Would you like to come with me?
D84: Yes, please.
DOCTOR: Good. Come on then.

D84: I heard a cry.
DOCTOR: That was me.
D84: I heard a cry.
DOCTOR: That was me!
D84: I heard a cry.
DOCTOR: That was me.
D84: I heard a cry.

D84: It is a Laserson probe. It can punch a fist sized hole in six inch armour plate or take the crystals from a snowflake one by one.

D84: Please do not throw hands at me.

D84: Poul is damaged. I do not understand what has happened to him. This may be because I am not human.

D84: Goodbye, my friend.

What an excellent story. I might have to go and watch it all over again now.