https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbsiKjVAV28

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/aug/13/alien-earth-review-tv-disney-that-bristles-with-bone-deep-dread

https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/alien-earth-fx-tv-review-2025

I'm pretty sure I would have watched it back in the day, but the screenshots don't jog any memories.

Written by the talented Barry Hines (1939-2016), who also wrote the superb Kes (1969) that really resonated with me - both the book (in English Lit) and the film.

https://www.bbc.com/articles/crl8nj3xxp7o

So for now... watch this space. Or fill it with news, if you find any.

I expect, of course, to be disagreed with. ? 

Edit: I thought it had premiered on BBC but apparently it's been somewhere else first and gathered praise for positive LGBT representation, which must refer to that shit camp character. Waititi himslef is apparently in it later, but wasn't in the pilot. It won't make me watch any more though.

The first episode was interesting and a bit weird, you think, oh wow, how are they going to explain this? At the end it feels like one of James Cordens jokes, a bit flat and pointless. Didn't really enjoy and was left thinking, what was that about?

This is based on the formation and early years of Blighty's favourite military operatives, the SAS (or Super Army Soldiers). A title card asserts that the things that seem unlikely are probably true - and the strength of the series for me is that, for the most part, it does stick to the truth. The other sore thumb was the French spy played by Sofia Boutella; partly because she isn't up to the standard of the rest of the very good cast, and because she's very obviously fictional. In fact she does #metoo no good at all by having absolutely nothing to do but fall into bed with the roguest hero - "quick, we'd better get a woman in this". It's a shame as there is more than enough true material to draw on to make more than the 6 episodes.

Short review - mainly true, entertaining and well worth it, with the above reservations.

It seems a lot of new programmes on TV are big budget and/or violent, which is fine for me, but my wife just doesn't seem to like them. We quite like watching easy going TV together, things like Chesapeake shores, Everwood, Brothers and Sisters, Revenge etc. Nothing complicated, easy going.

We've watched quite a few series together and are struggling to get into anything new. Any recommendations?

Cheers

The cover artwork looks very promising. I wonder if there's any commentary from Rik from the DVD days ?

Amazon > The Young Ones: The Complete Collection 40th Anniversary Edition

Restored and remastered using the existing film where available, upscaled during this process.

Bonus features
- 10 new commentaries from cast and crew
- never seen before deleted scenes
- rediscovered rushes from the cutting room floor
- extensive photo gallery featuring the original music score and unpublished images from the production team
- raw studio footage
- a workprint edit of 'sick'
- “fundamental frolics" featuring an early appearance from rik
- ‘alternative rebellion’
- ‘the making of the young ones’
- ‘the guest stars of the young ones’
- both episodes of 'boom boom… out go the lights', introduced by the producer who put alternative comedy on the telly
- ‘alternative rebellion’
- ‘the making of the young ones’
- ‘the guest stars of the young ones’

>

I used to love Tomorrow's World as a kid, and here, Judith Hann smashes it! ?

https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/1566016654357565440

The Mandalorian - I really enjoyed both series, although it did start to get a bit episodic and repetitive, but managed to pull itself back. The atmosphere and effects are excellent, and very Star Warsy. The 'making-of' series is well worth a look as it explains the new filming tech (the music ep is v.good too). Scrapes a rare 9/10 from me.

Boba Fett - the reviews for this weren't as good, so my expectations were lowered, but I personally enjoyed it just as much as Mando (atmosphere & style are the same). If anything, it's a bit more grown-up in parts (violence and tone) which can only be a good thing. A solid 8/10.

Obi Wan - after Fett and 2 x Mando, this was disappointing - I guess it was made by a different team, or at the very least they set out to emulate the atmosphere of the prequels (which they somewhat achieved, but that's a negative!) Thankfully it's a single series. Some good bits, but overall 6/10.

Andor - due 21 September, as a prequel to the Rogue One film, so it will be interesting to see how this turns out (confidence is high, as they are starting on S2).

Ahsoka (2023) - single series (shame!) set around Mando, so my hopes are high (and Rosario Dawson is excellent).

Skeleton Crew (2023) - starring Jude Law, and set after ROTJ. (Weird using a Stephen King name).

The Acolyte (Aug 2023) - set 100 years before SW Ep 1.

Lando (2023-4) - single series about Lando Calrissian.