TV Century 21

We signed in and collected our bags of goodies. Then it was time to enter the main hall. We all went into the main hall for the start of the convention. There was not really an opening speech or anything, but Chris Bentley did welcome everyone and gave us the sad news that Stanley Unwin would not be able to attend due to medical reasons. He did list most of the guests and told us about changes to schedule.

We then went straight into the full version of Space Police, the 50 minute version. This was of course the famous pilot show that ended up eventually as Space Precinct. Other than Simone Bendix and Shane Rimmer, there were no humans in the show at all, the rest of the cast made up of Terrahawks-style puppets. The model work was very reminiscent of Terrahawks as was the music. I can't say that I found the models or puppets all that realistic, but it was only a pilot. The shadow of Terrahawks loomed large over the whole production as did Blade Runner, whose influence was obvious from the opening shot of ships flying into horizon of city. The story however, was more reminiscent of the 60s show, as there was a plot to kill the world president on no less an Anderson stable than the tried and true monorail. You know, like in Thunderbirds, Scarlet and Joe 90. The bad guys in the show were quite well done, but heavy on the comedy, with names like. E vile and Vil ann. a notable precursor to Dick Spanner.