Netflix’s documentary series that looks at extraordinary living spaces around the world ticks all the boxes for Sci-Fi Bulletin with an instalment that primarily focuses on a Northumberland art teacher’s plan to create a science fiction museum in the family home’s basement.

Within seconds of meeting Neil Cole in the show’s opening minutes you can’t help admire his drive and determination in achieving his pipe dream of a museum to display his collection of 200 screen-used sci-fi props. His very understanding and tolerant wife is used to stumbling over monster mannequins, while her parents have lent them a substantial sum to fund the project. His father-in-law doesn’t even know what sci-fi and can’t quite believe anyone would want to look at old props.

We revisit the project over the final eight weeks to opening day (in truth it doesn’t really open until October, but that’s the magic of TV!) as a new ceiling is installed, display booths are created and fibre-glass display moulds are created. Neil is working on a fire-damaged Terileptil that was burnt in the 1996 Longleat Doctor Who Exhibition (appropriate considering they started the Great Fire of London!) and his other treasures from the show include Daleks, a Cyberman, a Haemovore, a Tractator and more.

Elsewhere in the museum are a background gorilla prop from Planet of the Apes, a Stan Winston Morlock from The Time Machine and prototypes from Alien3. As the exhibition opens and local children are wowed by this unique menagerie, all eyes are on Neil and his team of supporters who have done a grand job.

Verdict: In the absence of an official Doctor Who Exhibition at present, how enterprising that a fan can share his collection of props with others in such an imaginative and striking way. 8/10

Nick Joy