Peter Tuddenham Movies

Peter Davison stars as bespectacled, aristocratic private detective Albert Campion in this two-part adaptation of Margery Allingham's novel The Case of the Late Pig. The title character is Roland Isidore "Pig" Peters (Mike Charles), a lifelong bully who had been Campion's principal tormentor during his school days in the early 1900s. Although Campion would just as soon never see Peters again, he accepts a curiously poetic invitation to "Pig"'s funeral. Three months later, a former girlfriend of Campion asks him to solve a recent murder -- and the victim is none other than "Pig" Peters, who apparently has died twice! Ingredients essential to the story include the wrong body (and wrong species) in Peters' coffin, a shady information peddler (played by Michael Gough, better known as Alfred the butler in the Batman theatrical films), and a handful of ice cubes. In America, "The Case of the Late Pig" was telecast October 12 and 19, 1989, as the first "Campion" story to appear on the PBS anthology Mystery! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of the four-part story "Time and the Rani," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) frees the reptilian residents of the planet Lakertya, then prepares himself for a final showdown with the Rani (Kate O'Mara), whose time-manipulating device could result in the end of the planet, if not the entire universe. The explosive climax takes place on an asteroid hovering high over Lakertya, a triumph of "making a lot out of a little" for the series' artistic designer Geoff Powell. Originally shown on September 28, 1987, "Time and the Rani, Episode 4" was written by Pip and Jane Baker. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Avon hopes to escape Xenon by overriding Dorian's security lock and taking charge of the space vessel Scorpio. Meanwhile, the crew members find themselves in the thick of a fierce battle between the men and women of the planet. This time around, it falls to Dayna (Josette Simon) to rescue herself and her comrades. As was the case in the previous episode, Peter Tuddenham pulls double duty as the voices of master computers Slave and Orac. "Power" first aired on October 5, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Having been frustrated in her previous efforts to knock off the Scorpio crew, Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) hires a chameleonlike professional assassin named Cancer (John Wyman). In their efforts to get to Cancer before he can get to them, the crew members inadvertently cause the death of the slave Nebrox (Richard Hurndall). Another slave, the beautiful Piri (Caroline Holdaway), becomes the romantic bone of contention between Avon (Paul Darrow) and Tarrant (Steven Pacey) -- but there's something deadlier than an amorous rivalry at work here. "Assassin" originally aired on November 9, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Dayna (Josette Simon) is marooned on a strange planet with Justin (Peter Byrne), her former mentor and sweetheart. Justin is in the midst of developing genetic creatures, designed to work around high radiation. Both the "good guys," represented by Avon, and the villains, headed by Servalan, would like to use those creatures for their own purposes; unfortunately, Servalan gets to Dayna and Justin first. "Animals" was initially broadcast on October 26, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Avon (Paul Darrow) agrees to trade the ship's computer, Orac, for a new, highly destructive long-range weapon, the tachyon funnel. Unfortunately, the inventor of the weapon, a megalomaniac recluse named Egrorian (John Savident) double-crosses Avon and sabotages the Scorpio crew's space shuttle. The lives of the space travelers are dependent upon Vila (Michael Keating), who may have to jettison himself into space to allow his comrades to escape their latest predicament. "Orbit" was first telecast on December 7, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Bitter enemies Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) and Tarrant (Steven Pacey) are stranded on Virn, a planet controlled by living, omnivorous sand. Servalan braces herself for the worst: Her lover, Don Keller (Jonathan David), has already been devoured by the sand, along with several other colonists. For some curious reason, the sand spares the lives of both Servalan and Tarrant -- but the danger has only just begun. "Sand" first aired on November 23, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In order to produce an antidote for the Federation's mind-controlling drugs, Avon must forge an alliance within a group of anti-Federation warlords. One of these leaders is Zukan (Roy Boyd), who has a pretty daughter named Zeeona (Bobbie Brown). When it turns out that Zukan is in league with Federation president Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce), the fate of the crew may hinge upon Zeeona's growing fondness for Tarrant (Steven Pacey). This penultimate Blakes 7 episode first aired on December 14, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Tarrant (Steven Pacey) is appalled to discover that his brother, Deeta (also Steven Pacey), is to fight a duel to determine the outcome of an interplanetary field. Even more disturbing is the fact that the evil Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) has set herself up as a neutral "judge," the better to foment peace rather than war. Deeta is killed at the hands of Servalan's hand-picked opponent (actually an android), whereupon Tarrant swears to avenge his brother's death -- a vow that will result in unbearable pain amongst the citizens of both warring worlds. "Death-Watch" was originally telecast on March 24, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The crew of the Liberator lands upon what appears to be an uncharted planet. The disturbing telepathic reaction of Cally (Jan Chappell) is the first clue that this gigantic "world" is actually a huge computer, which remains alive by sapping the intellects of others. Not surprisingly, the computer sets its sights on the "inner workings" of Cally and her comrades, Dayna (Josette Simon), Avon (Paul Darrow), and Tarrant (Steven Pacey). "Ultraworld" was originally broadcast on March 10, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The long-missing Blake (Gareth Thomas) apparently resurfaces out of nowhere, issuing a coded message from afar to his former comrade-in-arms, Avon (Paul Darrow). Deciphering the code, Avon pilots the Liberator to Terminal, a synthetic planet. Unfortunately, the crew has been lured into a trap by their old enemy, Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) -- and even worse, the Liberator is destroyed. This final episode of Blakes 7's third season adheres to tradition by concluding with a nail-biting cliffhanger. "Terminal" was originally broadcast on March 31, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Returning to Liberator with his new friend, Dayna (Josette Simon), Avon (Paul Darrow) finds that the ship has been captured by a Federation death squad, commanded by Tarrant (Steven Pacey, in his first series appearance). Meanwhile, Cally (Jan Chappell) has spirited the wounded Vila (Michael Keating) away to a hospital ship, ostensibly bound for the planet Chenga. Only upon discovering that their longtime enemy, Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce), has likewise boarded the ship do Cally and Vila find out that this "hospital" is actually a bank for human organs -- and that they've been slated to be "donors." "Powerplay" originally aired on January 14, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Sucked into a black hole in space, the Liberator crew comes across a hitherto uncharted domain. The area is held in thrall by the Thaarn (Marcus Powell), a creature from the mythology of Cally's home planet. Recognizing someone from his own culture, the hideous Thaarn demands that Cally (Jan Chappell) marry him. Meanwhile, Avon (Paul Darrow) and Tarrant (Steven Pacey) are faced with their own particular horror -- this one of a mathematical variety. "Dawn of the Gods" was originally broadcast on January 28, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi