tbs-2-9Langstrom Fischler’s latest “project” sends a comet heading towards Earth – and Global 1 is in the way…

Rosamund Pike gets a chance to expand her female voice repertoire once more as Captain Ridley O’Bannon makes a return appearance – and there’s just the right amount of hint of romance between her and John to be realistic without making the target age audience turn away because there’s “kissy stuff”. Her presence – and the increased roles for Kayo and Lady Penelope this season – answer some of the criticisms of the show’s male-centric set up: one of the most fraught sequences in this features her heading for a manual control that is, in the best Galaxy Quest/Doctor Who tradition, behind deadly revolving items… and that’s without the bits of debris falling on her from the approaching comet.

The episode also nicely gives some attention to those stuck on Tracy Island during the rescue – Virgil, Alan and John are all in immediate danger at different points in the episode, and we see the effect that this has on Scott and Brains. There’s not too much Fischler in this, which is a relief – a little of the character goes a long way (a tribute to the impression that Rhys Darby makes!).

Verdict: Another enjoyable rescue mission. 7/10

Paul Simpson