Before I start this review, I want to mention the remake of the 70's blockbuster mini-series 'Roots', which, as I write this, is presently tucked away on B.B.C.-4 where hardly anyone can see it. Quite a contrast to the prime-time slot the 1977 original enjoyed. Given the subject matter, it is indeed a shame. One of the advantages of there only being three television channels in the U.K. ( it never ceases to amaze me when retro-documentaries make it sound as though it this were a bad thing! More channels does not necessarily mean better programmes, just more rubbish ) was that quality programmes were easy to locate. Now, with umpteen channels to choose from, they're easy to miss.
Okay, onto the final episode of Michael J.Bird's 'The Lotus Eaters'. The second season was not as good as the first, mainly because the spy story element took centre-stage. One missed the human dramas such as 'A Touch Of Home'. The eccentric 'Nestor Turton' ( Maurice Denham ) was killed off and the show lost one of its best characters as a result. Much of Season 2 is sadly repetitive, with lots of lovely shots of Erik driving around Greece, and long stretches of dialogue. Perhaps a shorter run would have helped.
'And If You Have The Time Lord' ( no, this has nothing to do with 'Dr.Who'! ) neatly ties up all the series' loose-ends. 'Ann' ( the stunning Wanda Ventham ) confesses to the murder of British agent 'Donald Culley' ( James Kerry ). She reveals her past as a 'sleeper' and, in so doing, makes it impossible for her to be put on trial. 'Erik' ( Ian Hendry ) hands over the keys to Shepherd's Bar to the newly-released 'Nikos' ( Anthony Stamboulieh ) and dashes off to accompany Ann to an unknown destination. One hopes that, wherever they went, they started up another bar. Russian agents 'Gerald Mace' ( Timothy Carlton ), 'Imogen Lundquist' ( the beautiful Susan Engel ), and 'Sam Webber' ( Paul Maxwell ) either leave the country of their own choice or are deported. No shoot-out finale or anything like that. The final scene with Erik embracing Stefan Gryff's 'Captain' is incredibly moving. According to Ventham, Hendry's increasing alcoholism made a third season an impossibility. He would next regularly be seen in I.T.V.'s dreary daytime soap 'From Maddie With Love'. Given his enormous talent, it seems a shame that he finished up this way.
A strong finale to an otherwise patchy season. Bird's next television project would be the one for which he is best remembered - 'Who Pays The Ferryman?'.
Okay, onto the final episode of Michael J.Bird's 'The Lotus Eaters'. The second season was not as good as the first, mainly because the spy story element took centre-stage. One missed the human dramas such as 'A Touch Of Home'. The eccentric 'Nestor Turton' ( Maurice Denham ) was killed off and the show lost one of its best characters as a result. Much of Season 2 is sadly repetitive, with lots of lovely shots of Erik driving around Greece, and long stretches of dialogue. Perhaps a shorter run would have helped.
'And If You Have The Time Lord' ( no, this has nothing to do with 'Dr.Who'! ) neatly ties up all the series' loose-ends. 'Ann' ( the stunning Wanda Ventham ) confesses to the murder of British agent 'Donald Culley' ( James Kerry ). She reveals her past as a 'sleeper' and, in so doing, makes it impossible for her to be put on trial. 'Erik' ( Ian Hendry ) hands over the keys to Shepherd's Bar to the newly-released 'Nikos' ( Anthony Stamboulieh ) and dashes off to accompany Ann to an unknown destination. One hopes that, wherever they went, they started up another bar. Russian agents 'Gerald Mace' ( Timothy Carlton ), 'Imogen Lundquist' ( the beautiful Susan Engel ), and 'Sam Webber' ( Paul Maxwell ) either leave the country of their own choice or are deported. No shoot-out finale or anything like that. The final scene with Erik embracing Stefan Gryff's 'Captain' is incredibly moving. According to Ventham, Hendry's increasing alcoholism made a third season an impossibility. He would next regularly be seen in I.T.V.'s dreary daytime soap 'From Maddie With Love'. Given his enormous talent, it seems a shame that he finished up this way.
A strong finale to an otherwise patchy season. Bird's next television project would be the one for which he is best remembered - 'Who Pays The Ferryman?'.