Doctor Who (David Tennant) – Smith and Jones, and The Shakespeare Code

A new companion, Martha Jones (Freema Agyemam), a medical student working in a hospital finds herself joining the Doctor (Tennant) in the TARDIS this week. Smith and Jones was written by Russell T. Davies and originally aired on 31 March, 2007. Martha and the Doctor discover that the hospital they are in has been transported…

Gemina: The Illuminae Files 02 (2016) – Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

The second volume in the Illuminae Files, Gemina, is not only an excellent follow-up instalment in this vibrant and exciting Young Adult series, it is also highly entertaining science fiction and space opera. The first book, told through IM and audio transcripts, descriptions of video surveillance, was brilliant, fun, and probably a game-changer in the…

The Secret Garden (1993) -Agnieszka Holland

Francis Ford Coppola serves as executive producer of this adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel, and the next recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book. Young Mary Lennox (Kate Maberly), born and raised in India is orphaned when her parents are killed in an earthquake. She is sent to live…

Doctor Who (Peter Davison) – Arc of Infinity

  Season 20 (!) gets underway for the Doctor (Davison) this week, and each story this season has a nod back to the stories before it, as they celebrate the show’s anniversary. This four episode story ran from 3 to 12 January, 1983, and was written by Johnny Byrne, who brought back the ancient, villainous…

Magnum, p.i. (1985) – Professor Jonathan Higgins and Compulsion

  There are shades of Pygmalion for Higgins (John Hillerman) and Thomas (Tom Selleck) this week, in the episode Professor Jonathan Higgins, which was written by Jay Huguely from a story by Mary Lee Gaylor. This one originally aired on 10 January, 1985. Higgins is expecting his cousin Sally Ponting ( Jillie Mack) to arrive in preparation for her…

Supergirl (1984) – Jeannot Szwarc

  As my time with those denizens of the destroyed planet of Krypton continue with my exploration of the fantastic Sci-fi Chronicles book, I leave Kal-El for a film (apparently he’s travelling to a distant galaxy according to a radio announcer), and join his cousin, the lovely Kara (Helen Slater). Let’s be clear, the Salkinds screwed…