Empire of the Sun (1987) – Steven Spielberg

Spielberg’s next project was an adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s memoir of his time as a boy growing up in Japanese occupied China during World War II. Christian Bale, in one of his earliest roles, plays young Jamie Graham, an arrogant young English boy who is fascinated by planes, and whose life is upended in the…

Quantum Leap (1990) – The Great Spontini and Rebel Without a Clue

After the heavier subject matter last week, The Great Spontini is a bit lighter fare (partially, though it does deal with a heartbreaking reality for families, divorce and custody battles) for Sam (Scott Bakula). Written by Cristy Dawson and Beverly Bridges, this episode first aired on 16 November, 1990. Sam finds himself as a magician, Harry Spontini,…

Doctor Who (Colin Baker) – The Two Doctors

  Robert Holmes pens this epic three parter that ran from 16 February to 2 March, 1985, that sees the return of a previous regeneration of the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and his Companion, Jamie (Frazier Hines). The Doctor (Baker) and Peri (Nicola Bryant) are on a fishing trip, when the Time Lord starts to feel…

Doctor Who (Peter Davison) – The Five Doctors

  Neither part of season 20 or 21, The Five Doctors was originally a Children in Need special, featuring Davison’s Doctor as well as Tom Baker’s (shown through footage recorded for the unaired Shada, as the actor didn’t want to return), Jon Pertwee’s , Patrick Troughton’s and Richard Hurndall, standing in for William Hartnell’s. Airing…

Doctor Who (Patrick Troughton) – The War Games

  Patrick Troughton’s final story as The Doctor is this 10 part story written by Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks that ran from 19 April to 21 June, 1969. The TARDIS arrives on, what the Doctor believes, initially, is a battlefield in World War I, but it becomes apparent very quickly that they are not…

Doctor Who (Patrick Troughton) – The Space Pirates

  Some fun model work and a plethora of space helmets highlight this penultimate tale of Troughton’s Doctor. The Space Pirates was written by Robert Holmes and ran from 8 March to 12 April, 1969. It’s bit of a lighter story, but I’m willing to take that in stride because the Doctor’s next adventure, is…

Doctor Who (Patrick Troughton) – The Seeds of Death

  The Ice Warriors return in this 6 part tale that was written by Brian Hayles and ran from 25 January to 1 March, 1969. The Doctor (Troughton), Zoe (Wendy Padbury) and Jamie (Frazer Hines) find themselves bouncing between 21st century London and the moon in this latest adventure. Earth has done away with the…

Doctor Who (Patrick Troughton) – The Krotons

  The next journey of the TARDIS is this four-part story written by Robert Holmes that ran from 28 December, 1968 to 18 January, 1969. The Doctor, Zoe (Wendy Padbury) and Jamie (Frazer Hines), find themselves on a planet inhabited by the Gond, who seem to be in some sort of slavery to machines known…

Doctor Who (Patrick Troughton) – The Invasion

  This eight part series written by Derrick Sherwin, which aired from 2 November to 21 December 1968, is an epic story that sees the return of the Cybermen (who remain unseen in the story until episode 4), the appearance of UNIT, and it’s commander, now Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. The TARDIS arrives in London, after eluding…