Covering three decades the story follows the highs and lows of the couple as they rise from their East End London squalor as children, to their late thirties as they rise to various positions of power. The process is made all the more appealing by the fact that despite they’re various encounters over the period of thirty years they spend much of the time apart, leading very different lives.

Told over six episodes the viewer follows each one of the couple as their lives change, Cathy  (Joanna Vanderham) having committed murder, although her mother Madge (Kierston Wareing) takes the blame; is sent to a home for unruly young women, where having uncovered a ring of sexual abuse and corruption, is driven to violent means to make an escape. While Eamonn (Jack O’Connell) joins a crime family ran by Danny Dixon (Keith Allen). In later life having made friends with transvestite Desrae (Alan Cumming), Cathy runs a number of businesses in Soho, while Eamonn goes to work for the IRA. While the story is one of fiction, it picks up on real events a number of times as it runs its course from the 1950’s to the 1980’s.

The show is an addictive one, never focusing too much on one subject or one period of time, its tale so sprawling that you feel almost as if you have followed more than one show. It’s something reminiscent of the sort of shows and mini-series we would experience several decades ago, when TV events were of an epic scale.

It’s a little more bloodthirsty and ruthless than your standard television show; many of the characters meet with untimely or bloody ends, the language a little more cutting edge. And no matter how safe something seems, as the story widens it soon becomes apparent that it’s far from safe.

The storytelling is well delivered, though it does have some issues that seem unaddressed by the time the series reaches its conclusion. The character of Police Inspector Richards Gates (Burn Gorman) for example seems to hold a secret for the most part of the series, a secret we expect to be resolved by the end but it never is, and if I’m to be honest this was one of the most disappointing aspects of the series, as I had high hopes that his character was going to deliver something to the story that would rock the characters to their very souls.

Another downfall is the lack of change in the characters, considering the time period that passes they age little over the course of the story. It cannot go without noting either that Jack O’Connell’s performance (the actor best known for roles in Skins, Eden Lake, and Harry Brown) is a little bit on the wooden side at times, at others sounding rather like one of Doctor Who’s Daleks.

Back to the positives though and there are some fine performances from Cummings, Gorman and Allen, but the most interesting of all comes from former Messiah star Ken Stott, and an aging Italian who is head over heels in love with Cumming’s character. Stott’s presence is felt over the three episodes he features in, the character a combination of good and bad.

From the decades featured that I lived through the story feels incredibly accurate, the fashions are right, you can practically feel the decades ambience oozing off the screen into your living room. It’s entertaining viewing, with some really nice elements in amongst the dark feel that overshadows the story, as does most Martina Cole’s tales.

The sad factor, is rather like The Take, this has been one of the more rewarding shows on television for some time, but being shown on a Satellite channel the viewing audience is limited, and a subsequent DVD release will receive a minor audience, most of whom will be watching because they have already seen and enjoyed it. If you have it seen it, and you get chance, this is four hours of visual entertainment you should really jump at.

Good old Doctor Who, it’s return has livened up Saturday nights no end. Over the past seven years (yes its been back seven years) there have been many a mystery. Most of the mysteries are sewn up over the series yearly three month run. But since series four one mystery has remain unrevealed. Who is River Song?

Before you read on, I need to warn you that if insider information is true, and I have good reason to trust this insider information, the answer of whom River Song is will be revealed in the next few paragraphs.

Since appearing in Silence In The Library, its been apparent that River Song knows the Doctor only too well. Returning two years later in The Time Of Angels, River Song really got the pulses of fans going, because not only did she know an awful lot about the Doctor, it seems she knows rather a lot about the Tardis too. In The Pandorica Opens River pilots the Tardis solo, and the Doctor easily hands it over too her, something he has seldom done in the shows history.

For some months showrunner Stephen Moffatt has said that this year River’s true identity (as in her relationship to the Doctor) would be revealed. Although nobody is certain when exactly we will discover, within the next twenty four hours, or will we have to wait until 2011 series ends in November (this year the series is being split in two).

Okay so I have plumped it up enough so here it is…. In the most recent episode (The impossible Astronaut) Amy reveals to the Doctor that she is pregnant, that child is none other than River Song. This comes from insiders who have reported acurately in the past, and have captured dialogue on set.

But there is still some mystery, is River Song the child of Amy and Rory, or Amy and The Doctor? Or is she the future wife of the Doctor (an answer I’m informed will not be revealed in The Doctor’s Wife).

In the Impossible Astronaut, we saw the Doctor killed, who better to bring about his demise than someone really close to him, is River the assassin, making him the best man she has ever known (as revealed in the 2010 series), and if so why has she killed him, what will this achieve, what is the reason?

Actor Simon MacCorkindale has died at the age of 58 after a long illness.

Varying sources including the BBC are reporting that he passed away on Thursday evening in the arms of his wife Susan George.

MacCorkindale was one of the few British actors of the 70’s and 80’s to break through and become popular in America.

MacCorkindale began his career on London’s West End, but in the early 70’s scored a number of roles in popular TV shows such as Play For The Day, I, Claudius, Beasts, Jesus Of Nazereth and Quatermass; his role here being his first big break before moving on to his first big screen role in Death On The Nile.

MacCorkindale had a one off appearance in America in The Dukes Of Hazzard after which he returned to the UK for a role the Hammer House Of Horror. After Hammer MacCorkindale headed back to America where he found work on Fantasy Island, Hart To Hart and Dynasty; as well as juggling movie roles in The Sword & The Sorcerer and Jaws 3. His big American break came in 1983 when he took the lead role in Manimal an adventure show in which a scientist could transform into any animal, the show had a short run but came a cult hit years later. From Manimal the actor had a recurring role in Falcon’s Crest a Dynasty style big budget soap opera.

MacCorkindale had a great run of luck, moving from one American TV show to TV movie from 1985-2002, before returning home permanently to work in the UK.

It’s here that younger readers will remember MacCorkindale who starred as Harry Harper in Casualty and special episodes of Holby City from 2002-2008. The character of Harry was said to be his favourite, and he spoke passionately of his love of the show.

In 2006 MacCorkindale was diagnosed with bowel cancer, and continued to work and remain optimistic, however a year later in 2007 he was told that the cancer had spread and was now terminal. Defiantly MacCorkindale continued to work regularly, and for anyone who encountered him he seemed very much as usual, although a little frail.

In 2010 just months before his death he starred in teen horror movie 13Hrs alongside some of Britain’s upcoming new stars, and an episode of popular TV show New Tricks.

Speaking of her husbands death wife Susan George said on Friday,

 “No-one could have fought this disease any harder than he did since being diagnosed four years ago.

“He fought it with such strength, courage and belief. Last night, he lost this battle, and he died peacefully in my arms.

“To me, he was simply the best of everything, and I loved him with all my heart. He will live on in me forever.”

Personally I’ll always remember the actor for MacCorkindale for The Hammer House Of Horror, and Manimal. But I’ll also now remember him for the way he fought on through Illness, for many reading this its likely you never knew he was ill due to his inability to be far away from our television screens.

TV Guide F Troop cover December 11, 1965, image courtesy Triangle Publications, Inc.

Ken Berry and his fellow blueboys battle “hostile” Indians in ABC’s wacky situation comedy F Troop. Forrest Tucker plays a scheming sergeant, with Larry Storch, Melody Patterson and Frank DeKova along for the hilarious ride.

Richard M. Bluel Creates F Troop

Richard M. Bluel (1925-1992) created F Troop for Warner Bros. Television. Bluel got his start in Hollywood as a writer, scripting episodes for such television drama as Wire Service, Man with a Camera and Bourbon Street Beat. He went on to serve as producer for TV’s The Gallant Men (1962-63), Temple Houston (1963-64), The Green Hornet (1966-67), The Second Hundred Years (1967-68) and The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1979-81).

Ken Berry Heads F Troop Cast

Ken Berry heads the cast as the bumbling Captain Wilton Parmenter. Known as the “Scourge of Appomattox,” Parmenter’s fortuitous sneeze led to a decisive Union victory over Confederate forces in the waning days of the Civil War, earning him the Medal of Honor for his accidental cavalry charge.   

Other principals are Forrest Tucker as Sergeant Morgan O’Rourke, the shrewd, scheming head of O’Rourke Enterprises; Larry Storch as Corporal Randolph Agarn, O’Rourke’s excitable business partner; and Melody Patterson as Jane Angelica “Wrangler Jane” Thrift, owner of the general store and Captain Parmentier’s passionate girlfriend.

Other F Troop regulars include Frank DeKova as Chief Wild Eagle, James Hampton as inept bugler Hannibal Dobbs, Bob Steele as the ancient Trooper Duffy, Don Diamond as hip Indian brave Crazy Cat, Joe Brooks as the half-blind lookout Trooper Vanderbilt, Ivan Bell as Trooper Duddleson, John Mitchum as the non-English speaking Prussian Trooper Hoffenmueller, Ben Frommer as Smokey Bear and Edward Everett Horton as Hekawi medicine man Roaring Chicken.

F Troop’s First Season

F Troop made its ABC television debut on Tuesday night, September 14, 1965, in the 9-9:30 (ET) slot. Network competition was The Red Skelton Hour (CBS) and the NBC Tuesday Night Movie.

The first episode, “Scourge of the West,” introduced Captain Wilton Parmenter, whose Civil War heroics lead to his assignment as commander of Fort Courage in 1866 Kansas. Parmenter has his hands full, trying to pacify the “fierce” local Hekawi tribe, rein in his enterprising first sergeant and ward off the advances of the blond, overly eager Wrangler Jane. 

A total of 33 additional half-hour episodes followed. Among the offerings were:

• “The Phantom Major” – A British officer instructs the troopers in the art of camouflage.
• “The Girl from Philadelphia” – Wilton is visited by his old flame from back east.
• “The 86 Proof Spring” – Parmenter goes undercover in order to shut down an illegal still that is supplying whiskey to the Indians.
• “Johnny Eagle Eye” – A Hekawi brave is drafted into F Troop in order to win them the $1,000 prize in a sharpshooting contest.

F Troop’s Second Season

F Troop kicked off its second season on Thursday night, September 8, 1966, in the 8-8:30 (ET) slot. The network competition was Jericho (CBS) and Daniel Boone (NBC).

A total of 31 second season episodes were telecast, beginning with “The Singing Mountie” in which Larry Storch appeared in a dual role, playing both Corporal Agarn and his fugitive French-Canadian cousin Lucky Pierre Agarniere.

Other memorable second season segments include the following:

• “Yellow Bird” – A woman raised by Indians takes a shine to Captain Parmenter.
• “Miss Parmenter” – Wilton’s husband-hunting sister trains her sights on Trooper Dobbs.
• “What Are You Doing After the Massacre?” – The 147-year-old Chief Flaming Arrow tries to reclaim the Hekawis’ land.
• “Our Brave in F Troop” – Wild Eagle masquerades as a trooper in order to visit the camp dentist for his throbbing toothache.

F Troop Guest Stars and TV Guide Review

A number of prominent performers graced F Troop’s dusty trail. Among the notables: Don Rickles, Milton Berle, Vincent Price, Don “Red” Barry, Paul Petersen, Henry Gibson, Harvey Korman, Mary Wickes, Lee Meriwether, Paul Lynde, Mae Clarke, Pat Harrington Jr., Zsa Zsa Gabor, Phil Harris and Julie Newmar.  

“If you don’t mind your humor stretched far, wide and then some, you could do far worse this season than make a late TV-dinner date with F Troop – which is not only the spoof to end all spoofs on Indian warfare but also tells you, in no uncertain terms, how the West was lost,” reported Cleveland Amory of TV Guide (11/20/65).

F Troop’s Best Episode, Trivia, DVD

• Best Episode: “V Is for Vampire” (2/2/67) – Horror film legend Vincent Price guest stars as the mysterious Count Sforza, a native of Transylvania who comes to Fort Courage and takes up residence in a spooky mansion.
• Melody Patterson (born 4/16/49) was only 16-years-old when F Troop debuted in 1965.
• Deceased F Troop regulars: Forrest Tucker (1919-1986), Frank DeKova (1910-1981), Bob Steele (1907-1988), Joe Brooks (1923-2007), Ivan Bell (1914-1977), John Mitchum (1919-2001), Ben Frommer (1913-1992), Edward Everett Horton (1886-1970).
• After 65 episodes F Troop officially exited the airwaves on August 31, 1967. The following week The Flying Nun (1967-70) starring Sally Field debuted in its time slot.
• On DVD: F Troop – The Complete Seasons 1 and 2 (Warner, 2008).

Now, who remembers the words to F Troop’s daffy theme song?

As we know that FOX’s premier on the forth season of Prison Break was a huge premier. The one and only love of Micheal Scofield, Sara Tancredi has returned and with her head on her shoulders. With over 6.5 million fans just in the US, not including the other countries that are also watching the charts showed that 18-49 years olds where at home watching every episode of season 3. Prison Break is a great series, I think we can all agree on that, but when does it become to much? Will at the new obstacles unravel for Scofield and Barrows does make a great television series get a bit to unrealistic.

In the first season the series have a feeling in them that there is something going on that could possibly happen in real life. Scofield’s brother Lincoln is wrongly accused and sentenced, so the brave hero forgets about every reason he has for this great and stable life he is living that he has worked so hard for, and commits a crime that he knowingly knew was wrong to save his brother. His arrival and stay at Fox River were very real and maybe even educating for some viewers that were watching.  Season two also showed that all the situations that they were getting in where reasonable and breathe taking. As for season for season three, it seemed as if it was supposed to be the last season all of the problems that the series were focused on where resolved.

Even though all the fans were all desperately waiting for season for to release, the main objective of the television series were lost and changed. In season three Scofield got his brother out of prison, the charges were taken off Lincoln, they had the money and Sara with them. Where did all these other problems come out of? If the brother were smart enough to pull off an escape like they pulled off, they certainly wouldn’t of had gotten themselves into the trouble. Even if he was arrested again and doing time in Sosa, the American authorities would have paid and had Micheal back in the US, without any mishaps like were there they got away from a whole bunch of guards that were there to make sure the convict doesn’t escape will being transferred!

Anyhow Prison Break did get more viewers then any other series like gossip girl, one tree hill and deal or no deal. But with the great heroes of one of Americas most popular series, Prison Break still remains the only most wanted show, that views are willing to wait for and enjoy watching. It would be great to see the stars in other series or possibly movies. Each one of them have a great talent that people enjoy to look at, criticize and hope for a happy ending.