With Ash seriously in need of medical assistance, the fugitive crew seeks help on Candy’s home world of Skov but finds life there is far from the way she remembers it.

Having visited a desert world and a wet world, Intergalactic now lands on a snow planet built on the back lot at Space Studios Manchester. There could be a sense that they are doing alien environments by numbers. But as they say, there is nothing new under the sun (or suns) in terms of storytelling. Perhaps we have been spoiled by exposure to such high-quality visuals elsewhere. The detail in the street market on Skov is remarkable. Price lists in multiple Earth languages outside a café, relics of opulence now lost, and a sense of “realness” in the world building. Skov has been stripped of its wealth and resources by the Commonworld and its inhabitants condemned to struggle for survival.

The series has suffered as it reached its midpoint and instead of hitting a climax or turning point, in the previous episode it felt like it was treading water. The series was originally intended to be ten episodes rather than eight. thus, episode 5 should provide a turning point.

This episode digs deep into Candy’s back story. We see a depth to Eleanor Tomlinson’s performance that has been lacking to date, and her scenes with her mother (guest star Phyllis Logan) are strong, assured and emotive. Natasha O’Keefe also begins to shine, literally and metaphorically, in trying to link up with ARC. Savannah Steyn’s Ash finally realises that her actions carry inexcusable consequences, and the scales finally begin to fall from her eyes.

Verdict: We finally see the turning point we awaited, as Ash Harper finally realises that she has been lied to all her life. Candy realises that there is more to life than drugs and partying. Both are now at a point of no return. It is the injection that the series needed at this stage and we see some very strong performances from key cast members. Intergalactic is back on track and promises some exciting pay-offs. 8/10

Andy Evans