George and Amy have been separated and struggle to survive in a world that is under attack from Martian invaders.

There’s a great sequence towards the end of this episode where the scale and budget are really apparent in Peter Harness’ adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic. It’s on the beach (Dunkirk in reverse) as hundreds of Brits try to get to sea to escape from the advancing Martian tripods. It’s the episode’s money shot, with Thunder Child firing its cannons against the oncoming enemy, explosions on the beach and countless extras running around. But for all this spectacle, it’s the smaller moments that still fuel this series, a poignant moment when George and Amy get together again.

Harness’ script pulls no punches in its anti-Imperialist stance, the arrogant British government still looking at this as a battle they can win, while the everyday people are being slaughtered in their millions. At last Amy and Frederick are now looking out for one another after the latter’s frosty ultimatum to George in episode 1 – leave her and go back to your wife.

One of the biggest changes from the novel (aside from the introduction of new characters and splitting the narrative away from predominantly George’s eyes) is astronomer Ogilvy’s continued existence. You might recall that in the book that he’s one of the first victims of the Martian Death Ray, yet somehow he has survived. You’ll get no complaints from me – Robert Carlyle is a great actor and his character clearly has more to do.

Verdict: As the BBC’s expanded adaptation of the Wells novel concludes its second hour, the prospect of a happy ending seems remote. As bleak an interpretation as you might imagine, there’s no Hollywood heroics here, just the plight of mankind trying to survive. I can see why it wasn’t saved for the Christmas schedules – this is no bundle of laughs, and all the better for it. 8/10

Nick Joy