Andy & Martin almost meet their match in the 1975 series Quiller. But once they get past the first 10 dreadful minutes of its opening episode they find much to enjoy in this Bond-on-a-budget BBC spy series starring Michael Jayston in the title role.

However, it would be lazy to say Quiller simply knocks off Bond, because Elleston Trevor's Quiller is quite different to 007. He doesn't like guns or gadgets and doesn't let women distract him from the job in hand. It's not a cheap series either. As well as some inevitable stock footage there's heaps of exotic location filming in Germany, Malta and beyond.

Jayston plays Quiller with a cool and appealing detachment. He is joined by Angus Kinloch (Moray Watson) as the Controller of the mysterious Bureau, and Rosalind (Sinead Cusack) who has more agency than most women on TV in 1975. At one point she even threatens to pinch Quiller's bottom!

The series boasts many familiar writers and directors of the time such as Brian Clemens, Peter Graham Scott, Anthony Read, and Viktors Ritelis. Guest stars are aplenty: Patrica Hodge, Shane Rimmer, Celia Gregory, Ed Bishop, and Lalla Ward to name just a few.

Andy & Martin select 5 of the 13 episodes to review in depth and find much to enjoy in this largely forgotten series that they believe deserves to be much better known.

Next Time: Rockliffe's Babies

2.17 Quiller

There is some evil in all of us – even the Doctor. Transported aboard the Time Lords' orbiting courtroom, the Doctor once again encounters the Valeyard, an amalgamation of the darker sides of his nature. This time, however, the Doctor isn't in the dock. This time, the Valeyard is the defendant, accused of a crime so terrible that the presiding Inquisitor is forbidden to reveal it even to the court, nor even to his counsel for the defence… the Doctor.

If the Valeyard is found guilty, he'll be executed. Execute the Valeyard, and the secret of his origins dies with him. A secret that the Doctor is desperate to know… and which the Time Lords will stop at nothing to protect.

This release was available to customers who bought a 6 or 12-release subscription to the Doctor Who Monthly Range and was released generally December 2014.

Written By: Alan Barnes and Mike Maddox
Directed By: Barnaby Edwards

Cast

Colin Baker (The Doctor), Michael Jayston (The Valeyard), Lynda Bellingham (The Inquisitor), John Banks (Hermit)

Doctor Who - Bonus Release: Trial of the Valeyard (trailer)

The Secret Pilgrim (Part 1) by John le Carre, read by Michael Jayston.

The Secret Pilgrim (Part 1) by John le Carre - Read by Michael Jayston

Synopsis
A very special story which at last provides a heroic exit for Colin Baker's much-loved Time Lord. Four hour-long episodes, connected by the presence of the Valeyard, the entity that exists between the Doctor's twelth and final incarnations.

The End of the Line by Simon Barnard and Paul Morris.
The Doctor and his latest companion Constance investigate a commuter train that has lost its way...

The Red House by Alan Barnes
The Doctor and Charlotte Pollard arrive on a world that is populated by werewolves.

Stage Fright by Matt Fitton
The Doctor and Flip visit Victorian London, where investigators Jago and Litefoot explore theatrical performances that have echoes of the Doctor's past lives...

The Brink of Death by Nicholas Briggs
The Doctor and Mel face the final confrontation with the Valeyard - and the Doctor must make the ultimate sacrifice.

Written By: Nicholas Briggs, Alan Barnes, Matt Fitton, Simon Barnard and Paul Morris
Directed By: Nicholas Briggs

Cast

The End of the Line
Colin Baker (The Doctor), Miranda Raison (Constance Clarke), Anthony Howell (Tim Hope), Chris Finney (Keith Pottter), Ony Uhiara (Alice Lloyd), Hamish Clark (Norman), Maggie Service (Hilary Ratchett)

The Red House
Colin Baker (The Doctor), India Fisher (Charlotte Pollard), Michael Jayston (The Valeyard), Ashley McGuire (Sergeant), Andree Bernard (Dr Paignton/Constable), Rory Keenan (Ugo), Jessie Buckley (Lina), Kieran Hodgson (Arin/Dennis)

Stage Fright
Colin Baker (The Doctor), Lisa Greenwood (Flip), Christopher Benjamin (Henry Jago), Trevor Baxter (George Litefoot), Lisa Bowerman (Ellie Higson), Michael Jayston (The Valeyard), Andree Bernard (Susie/Sylvie), Lizzie Roper (Bella)

The Brink of Death
Colin Baker (The Doctor), Bonnie Langford (Melanie Bush), Michael Jayston (The Valeyard), Liz White (Genesta), Robbie Stevens (Coordinator Storin/Nathemus 1), Susan Earnshaw (Lorelas/Nathemus 2)
With a Special Appearance by: Sylvester McCoy (The Seventh Doctor)

Producer David Richardson

Script Editor Matt Fitton

Executive Producers Jason Haigh-Ellery and Nicholas Briggs

Doctor Who - The Sixth Doctor - The Last Adventure (trailer)

Slow, jazzy theme tune for a TV show that never was - "Guillam" - a hypothetical spin-off from the 1979 BBC adaptation of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy", with Peter Guillam (to be once again played by Michael Jayston) as the lead character.

Guillam

An alternative rock/punk opera featuring the renowned British Actor Michael Jayston as the Narrator. A story based album accompanied by a 28 page comic which is essential to the listening and enjoyment of the album.

“Kinda reminds me of early Bowie with a bit of Nick Cave thrown in, both listening to War of the Worlds while searching for the meaning of life in a post apocalyptic theme park…” DIRK FREEKING REVIEW

"This is very different & tremendously unique…the concept album sounds too strange to be true but it absolutely works and it works really well... It’s one of my favourite albums for some time. There is punk, folk, jazz all wrapped up in a single package...I found the entire package simply brilliant! " PUNKONLINE REVIEW

"Celebrating underground creativity over mainstream blandness...

...A lavish package released for Record Store Day...The album features the apparently unlikely pairing of underground musician Ruben Vine and well-known actor Michael Jayston...What we have here is a sort of allegorical punk rock opera, with Ruben Vine's heavy-hitting music punctuated by scene-setting narrations from Michael Jayston. The music draws largely from punk, metal, classic rock, and hard-edged alternative rock, whilst taking on board ideas from beyond the rock sphere and also combining rock sub-genres in a creative manner...an antidote to the corporate music industry dictating people's tastes" BLISSAQUAMARINE REVIEW

"The Life and Times of an Imaginary Rock Star is the latest album from musician and artist Ruben Vine. This eclectic collection fuses punk, rock and metal with the trappings of concept album. It also boasts linking narration by the great Michael Jayston, who Whovians know better as the sinister Valeyard....

... drawing inspiration from the likes of ‘Ziggy Stardust’ or ‘War of the Worlds’ – the latter being directly quoted. While each song can stand alone, they’re only scenes in one 60-minute story. On first listen, it’s definitely best to hear the whole thing in one sitting before you pick out favourite scenes.'" BLOGTORWHO REVIEW

The life and Times of an Imaginary Rock Star

Prologue

01 Prologue (featuring Michael Jayston)

The Life and Times of an Imaginary Rock Star

Gossips

06 Gossips

An alternative rock/punk opera featuring the renowned British Actor Michael Jayston as the Narrator. A story based album accompanied by a 28 page comic which is essential to the listening and enjoyment of the album.

AQUAMARINE MUSIC FANZINE REVIEW:

"Celebrates underground creativity over mainstream blandness...
...A lavish package released for Record Store Day...The album features the apparently unlikely pairing of underground musician Ruben Vine and well-known actor Michael Jayston...What we have here is a sort of allegorical punk rock opera, with Ruben Vine's heavy-hitting music punctuated by scene-setting narrations from Michael Jayston. The music draws largely from punk, metal, classic rock, and hard-edged alternative rock, whilst taking on board ideas from beyond the rock sphere and also combining rock sub-genres in a creative manner...an antidote to the corporate music industry dictating people's tastes"
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE:
http://www.blissaquamarine.net/albumreviews30b.html

PUNKONLINE REVIEW:

"Very different & tremendously unique...the concept album sounds too strange to be true but it absolutely works and it works really well...it’s raw and melodic at the same time and the narration from Jayston is sublime..one of my favourite albums for some time...punk, folk, jazz all wrapped up in a single package. I found the entire package simply brilliant"
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE:

http://punkonline.co.uk/ruben-vine-the-life-and-times-of-an-imaginary-rock-star-review/

The Secret Pilgrim (Part 1) by John le Carre - Read by Michael Jayston

John le Carré