Discussion: Escape Through a Crack in Time
Displaying all 25 posts by 5 people.
Post #1
Sapphire & Steel wroteon March 25, 2008 at 1:29pm
The debut.
What do you think of the story, the effects, the actors, Lead and the sound design? And anything else that you want to talk about....
What do you think of the story, the effects, the actors, Lead and the sound design? And anything else that you want to talk about....
Post #2
1 reply
Paul wroteon March 25, 2008 at 6:48pm
Is "Escape Through A Crack In Time" what fans call Adventure One then? Never seen this title used before.
I suggest you create an "event" to kick off these discussions, something like "Sapphire And Steel marathon: Adventure One starts April 1st!" to allow more people to join this new group, and then we'll just crack on with the viewing.
I suggest you create an "event" to kick off these discussions, something like "Sapphire And Steel marathon: Adventure One starts April 1st!" to allow more people to join this new group, and then we'll just crack on with the viewing.
Post #3
James wroteon March 26, 2008 at 5:13am
It's a great start but it does make you wonder why it's called "Sapphire and Steel" when I think most other characters they talk about are elements on the periodic table (I seem to remember the other stand out character mentioned was Jet, which bizarrely is a mineraloid rather than an element or a compound). However, the music is superb, the acting incredible (especially from the kids) and it's so atmospheric I'll even over look Sapphire's history coming from urban myth rather than fact.
Post #4
1 reply
Sapphire & Steel replied to Paul's poston March 27, 2008 at 2:30pm
Well....
I've been using the Wikipedia page for Sapphire & Steel as a source of info, and this is what they have to say on the matter:
"The overall titles used for each story are unofficial, and derive from an episode guide in the 1980s fanzine Time Screen. Each has several potential alternatives, but the Time Screen titles are the best-known and were used on the packaging of A&E's DVD release of the series in 2005. These titles remain controversial; it is argued that, in some cases, the titles spoil the twists of each story."
I've gone with that title though because I love it!
Other titles applied include:
* The Nursery Rhymes
* The Clocks
* The House that Jack Built
* The House
I'll update the thread's title though....
..mind you, is it Adventure One or Assignment One? The Region 2 DVD's say Adventure. The Region 1 DVDs say Assignment.
Somehow, it seems highly apt that all these years later, even the simple naming of a Sapphire & Steel story remains ambiguous......
I've been using the Wikipedia page for Sapphire & Steel as a source of info, and this is what they have to say on the matter:
"The overall titles used for each story are unofficial, and derive from an episode guide in the 1980s fanzine Time Screen. Each has several potential alternatives, but the Time Screen titles are the best-known and were used on the packaging of A&E's DVD release of the series in 2005. These titles remain controversial; it is argued that, in some cases, the titles spoil the twists of each story."
I've gone with that title though because I love it!
Other titles applied include:
* The Nursery Rhymes
* The Clocks
* The House that Jack Built
* The House
I'll update the thread's title though....
..mind you, is it Adventure One or Assignment One? The Region 2 DVD's say Adventure. The Region 1 DVDs say Assignment.
Somehow, it seems highly apt that all these years later, even the simple naming of a Sapphire & Steel story remains ambiguous......
Post #5
Paul replied to Sapphire & Steel's poston March 30, 2008 at 12:49am
"Somehow, it seems highly apt that all these years later, even the simple naming of a Sapphire & Steel story remains ambiguous......"
Yeah, it's fitting, isn't it? The R2 DVD I've just dug out (the original one with the first three stories in the blue cardboard fold-out) called them Assignments. I think I agree that the Time Screen titles are best regarded retrospectively, as they might diminish any mystery.
I'm looking forward to watching them again - and I've just bought some of the Big Finish audios (taking me up to and including 2.2) so await those with baited breath!
Yeah, it's fitting, isn't it? The R2 DVD I've just dug out (the original one with the first three stories in the blue cardboard fold-out) called them Assignments. I think I agree that the Time Screen titles are best regarded retrospectively, as they might diminish any mystery.
I'm looking forward to watching them again - and I've just bought some of the Big Finish audios (taking me up to and including 2.2) so await those with baited breath!
Post #6
James wroteon March 30, 2008 at 8:10am
Given the opening credits end with the words "Sapphire and Steel have been assigned..." I think it's a fairly safe bet to call them assignments.
And the second season of the Big Finish S&S audios is far superior to the rather less than brilliant first.
And the second season of the Big Finish S&S audios is far superior to the rather less than brilliant first.
Post #7
1 reply
Sapphire & Steel wroteon March 31, 2008 at 5:16am
I always thought the term "adventure" made them sound like a children's learning to read book: The Adventures Of Sapphire & Steel
Post #8
Paul replied to Sapphire & Steel's poston March 31, 2008 at 12:56pm
Were there any tie-in books published? I seem to recall an annual being published, but not sure if it was just the one (like with the K9 Annual and probably most annuals...)
I'm off to watch the last episode of the original Battlestar Galactica now, and later I'll be putting on the first episode of Assignment One.
I'm off to watch the last episode of the original Battlestar Galactica now, and later I'll be putting on the first episode of Assignment One.
Post #9
Paul wroteon March 31, 2008 at 11:49pm
Assignment 1 - Episode 1
Wow, even though this is the third time I''ve seen this episode, it has lost none of its mystery or thrills. That point after the clocks stop and Rob is in the hallway, the unearthly sound made me shiver!
I'm not usually one who appreciates child actors, but Stephen O'Shea (who played Rob) really impressed me. I'm not sure many actors of *any* age could have such a successful alpha male thing going on with Steel, let alone a young boy, but Rob holds his own in his house.
There's not much about this story that I recall from either my first viewing on VHS about ten or so years ago, or on this DVD in 2002, so I'm not sure what happens aside from a few scary moments, but i look forward to rediscovering each day as I put on a new episode.
Wow, even though this is the third time I''ve seen this episode, it has lost none of its mystery or thrills. That point after the clocks stop and Rob is in the hallway, the unearthly sound made me shiver!
I'm not usually one who appreciates child actors, but Stephen O'Shea (who played Rob) really impressed me. I'm not sure many actors of *any* age could have such a successful alpha male thing going on with Steel, let alone a young boy, but Rob holds his own in his house.
There's not much about this story that I recall from either my first viewing on VHS about ten or so years ago, or on this DVD in 2002, so I'm not sure what happens aside from a few scary moments, but i look forward to rediscovering each day as I put on a new episode.
Post #10
Paul wroteon April 1, 2008 at 10:49pm
Assignment 1 - Episode 2
This episode doesn't really add very much to the invasion-from-time aspect of the story, but instead focusses on Rob's continuing reaction to events and the arrival of Sapphire and Steel. He's soon taught a lesson about the futility of opposing them in a few scenes that offer some intriguing snippets of information about our assigned medium atomic weights, and is brought into line - helping Steel with the task of clearing the youngest room in the house as Steel's base of operations. Towards the end of the episode though, in a sequence that I'm sure is only there to provide a cliffhanger, the boy is tricked by the temporal intruder's manipulation of his hope into doing something he really shouldn't do!
I'm glad I'm watching this daily, as I'm sure with television in this day and age the episodes are too drawn out to keep me glued week after week. Not that this isn't enjoyable - just nothing happens here that couldn't have been covered in less than half the time to noughties standards. Which is both a strength and a weakness - it just means you're better off watching the story in one long sitting or three or six frequent sittings.
This episode doesn't really add very much to the invasion-from-time aspect of the story, but instead focusses on Rob's continuing reaction to events and the arrival of Sapphire and Steel. He's soon taught a lesson about the futility of opposing them in a few scenes that offer some intriguing snippets of information about our assigned medium atomic weights, and is brought into line - helping Steel with the task of clearing the youngest room in the house as Steel's base of operations. Towards the end of the episode though, in a sequence that I'm sure is only there to provide a cliffhanger, the boy is tricked by the temporal intruder's manipulation of his hope into doing something he really shouldn't do!
I'm glad I'm watching this daily, as I'm sure with television in this day and age the episodes are too drawn out to keep me glued week after week. Not that this isn't enjoyable - just nothing happens here that couldn't have been covered in less than half the time to noughties standards. Which is both a strength and a weakness - it just means you're better off watching the story in one long sitting or three or six frequent sittings.
Post #11
Paul wroteon April 3, 2008 at 1:58am
Assignment 1 - Episode 3
Well, this is a huge improvement on yesterday - the whole episode demonstrates how fallible and vulnerable Sapphire and Steel can be and this makes this a very tense and enjoyable instalment. Before now we could have been forgiven for thinking that they were untouchable, but if they can be trapped or even killed then this makes the previously intangible threat very tangible indeed.
Well, this is a huge improvement on yesterday - the whole episode demonstrates how fallible and vulnerable Sapphire and Steel can be and this makes this a very tense and enjoyable instalment. Before now we could have been forgiven for thinking that they were untouchable, but if they can be trapped or even killed then this makes the previously intangible threat very tangible indeed.
Post #12
1 reply
James wroteon April 3, 2008 at 9:18am
The first assignment was novelised, I know I *had* a copy somewhere, whether or not I still do is another matter. I will try and join you on assignment two as I'm a little late starting assignment 1!
Post #13
Paul replied to James's poston April 4, 2008 at 3:08am
I'm pretty amazed that I've managed four days on the trot without stumbling - join us (or me? it's quiet out there!) when you're ready James!
Interesting news about the novelisation. Years before the Big Finish audios, indeed back when I discovered the series on video, I thought that it'd have great potential in print. The Doctor WHo New Adventures were still the main form of Doctor Who around, and I imagined Virgin Publishing picking up the series from where it left off. I even worked out an escape form the end of Assignment Six - but I'll leave that for later :o)
Interesting news about the novelisation. Years before the Big Finish audios, indeed back when I discovered the series on video, I thought that it'd have great potential in print. The Doctor WHo New Adventures were still the main form of Doctor Who around, and I imagined Virgin Publishing picking up the series from where it left off. I even worked out an escape form the end of Assignment Six - but I'll leave that for later :o)
Post #14
Paul wroteon April 4, 2008 at 3:17am
Assignment 1 - Episode 4
Hmm, there seems to be distinct peaks and troughs in this story, with both episodes 2 and 4 following the excitement of their previous episodes with a bit ofa breather.
That's not to say that nothing happens, just that there's a lack of any real danger. Of course, that might be because I remembered who was at the door, but until the lead up to the cliffhanger nothing much else of any excitement happens.
Not that this isn't healthy - you need peaks and troughs in a story, but the episodes seem too short to contain them. I can't help but wonder if this'd have been better off as a 45 minute serial.
Hmm, there seems to be distinct peaks and troughs in this story, with both episodes 2 and 4 following the excitement of their previous episodes with a bit ofa breather.
That's not to say that nothing happens, just that there's a lack of any real danger. Of course, that might be because I remembered who was at the door, but until the lead up to the cliffhanger nothing much else of any excitement happens.
Not that this isn't healthy - you need peaks and troughs in a story, but the episodes seem too short to contain them. I can't help but wonder if this'd have been better off as a 45 minute serial.
Post #15
1 reply
James wroteon April 4, 2008 at 6:13am
Isn't the slightly uneven pacing between odd and even numbered episodes down to the fact it was broadcast twice weekly? The first episode of the week would be the faster one and the second episode slightly slower but ending on a "stronger" cliffhanger to get people back the next week? At least, I seem to remember that's how it was done...
Post #16
Paul replied to James's poston April 4, 2008 at 8:07am
Oh right, I never knew that. Doctor Who was also twice weekly during the Davison era - was this the broadcasting fashion of the day?
Post #17
1 reply
Paul wroteon April 5, 2008 at 7:57am
Weekends are busy for me, and with Doctor Who and Doctor Who Confidential making demands I'm going to make my daily viewing sessions weekdays only, if that's okay with anybody who might possibly be out there...
Anyone aside from James Hadwen actually reading this?
Anyone aside from James Hadwen actually reading this?
Post #18
James wroteon April 6, 2008 at 12:52pm
Any days are fine with me, I can usually find half an hour to watch or do work in front of....
Post #19
Paul wroteon April 9, 2008 at 2:53pm
Assignment 1 - Episode 5
It's taken me a couple days longer to get back to this than intended, but whatever! :o) I don't really hav much to comment on, aside from Rob's continual lack of logic regarding the manifestations of his parents. I suppose it's possible that the 'ghosts' (for want of a better word) can influence Rob's mind and make him more vulnerable, but this kid keeps on making the same mistakes and totally ignoring Steel's assertation that what he's been talking to are not his mum and dad.
I don't really think much of Lead either, he doesn't seem to be there for much reason beyond having a loud voice and an ability to force open doors.
It's taken me a couple days longer to get back to this than intended, but whatever! :o) I don't really hav much to comment on, aside from Rob's continual lack of logic regarding the manifestations of his parents. I suppose it's possible that the 'ghosts' (for want of a better word) can influence Rob's mind and make him more vulnerable, but this kid keeps on making the same mistakes and totally ignoring Steel's assertation that what he's been talking to are not his mum and dad.
I don't really think much of Lead either, he doesn't seem to be there for much reason beyond having a loud voice and an ability to force open doors.
Post #21
2 replies
Stuart wroteon April 10, 2008 at 6:50am
Hi. Is it ok to join you guys? I've recently dug out my Sapphire & Steel videos (due to a sot of shelf-reshuffling) and will watch Adventure One this weekend and see about catching you both up.<br />Also, I think I've got a comprehensive synopsis/continuity/review
Post #22
Sapphire & Steel replied to Stuart's poston April 16, 2008 at 3:31am
Hi Stuart
Welcome aboard, please feel free to upload any scans
Welcome aboard, please feel free to upload any scans
Post #23
Paul replied to Stuart's poston April 16, 2008 at 6:20pm
Hiya! Yeah sure, you're very welcome. I fear I've fallen behind on the watching again. I'm on holiday at my parents, but remembered to pack the DVDs: just not found time to watch the episodes yet! I'll get the last part of Assignment One seen to before I return home at the very least!
I think I might have that book, or at least one very much like it: does it have Babylon 5 on the cover? Or am I confusing my freebie ep guide book with another a friend owned. I seem to recall another book with The Persuaders on the cover. Those were good little books that were invaluable before I got my own net connection!
I think I might have that book, or at least one very much like it: does it have Babylon 5 on the cover? Or am I confusing my freebie ep guide book with another a friend owned. I seem to recall another book with The Persuaders on the cover. Those were good little books that were invaluable before I got my own net connection!
Post #24
James wroteon April 17, 2008 at 11:49am
I'm guessing the freebie book is the SFX one.... it's either sitting on a shelf gathering dust somewhere in my flat or it's sitting under a shelf propping it up. I know they did a second volume as well with Lois and Clark on the front.
Anyway, I might try and power through Adventure One this weekend (or maybe even later tonight/tomorrow at work) so I'm up to date for Adventure Two...
Anyway, I might try and power through Adventure One this weekend (or maybe even later tonight/tomorrow at work) so I'm up to date for Adventure Two...
Post #25
Lauren wroteon January 14, 2009 at 9:22pm
Assignment One freaked the heck out of me, to be honest! Though it also made me fall in love with the show, so that was good lol. Um yeah, basically I adored Sapphire in this assignment, I thought Steel was a jerk, and I can't remember what I thought of Lead coz it's been so long since I actually watched this assignment haha. I'll need to re-watch it and refresh my memory.
As with most of S&S's assignments, the climax was the freakiest, most suspenseful part of this assignment, with finding out about the old graveyard where the house had been built...yikes!! All in all, very good, entertaining assignment.
As with most of S&S's assignments, the climax was the freakiest, most suspenseful part of this assignment, with finding out about the old graveyard where the house had been built...yikes!! All in all, very good, entertaining assignment.