Sapphire & Steel
April 27, 2023 10:04 AM Subscribe
When I was 6 years old my mind was blown by sci-fi TV serial Sapphire and Steel, with its stories of inter-dimensional slippage, time-shuffling wonkiness, and not entirely logical plot resolution. Revisiting it 40 years later, I'm ready to be disappointed. But it's actually good. Worth watching just for the stars, Joanna Lumley as TV's most fashion-conscious time-manipulating psychic alien, and David McCallum as her permanently-scowling colleague. All episodes are on shoutfactorytv.com (US) and itv.com (UK). Previously.
It’s so very, very good, managing to be spookily suggestive and creepy as fuck with so very little.
Probably unlikely to see the light of day again for complicated license and copyright reasons, but I’d love to read the Arthur Randon drawn comics.
posted by Artw at 10:19 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
Probably unlikely to see the light of day again for complicated license and copyright reasons, but I’d love to read the Arthur Randon drawn comics.
posted by Artw at 10:19 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
An extraordinary show - the opening titles alone (which are never really explained) will give you a hint as to how weird it was.
posted by thatwhichfalls at 10:48 AM on April 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by thatwhichfalls at 10:48 AM on April 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
I adore this show. One of the things I love most about it is how much confidence and faith it has in its audience. It explains hardly anything to you; what little explanation it does give is done obliquely or confusingly, and the show trusts you to do the work and piece things together on your own. It's lovely to watch a show this creepy and weird not undermine that creepiness by trying to make sure the audience understands what's going on.
I would always rather a work of horror/the weird remain ambiguous (while not dissolving into complete incomprehensibility - the other failure state of weird fiction that this show neatly avoids). Sapphire & Steel understands how to show the audience the shadow on the wall, rather than the object casting it - that's a rare and precious thing.
posted by darchildre at 11:20 AM on April 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
I would always rather a work of horror/the weird remain ambiguous (while not dissolving into complete incomprehensibility - the other failure state of weird fiction that this show neatly avoids). Sapphire & Steel understands how to show the audience the shadow on the wall, rather than the object casting it - that's a rare and precious thing.
posted by darchildre at 11:20 AM on April 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
...And now I've discovered that Shout Factory's streaming video is not blocked on my work computer.
Interesting.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 11:23 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
Interesting.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 11:23 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
That would be Silicon fulfilling her mandate to allow free travel of information across the dimensions.
posted by thatwhichfalls at 11:24 AM on April 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by thatwhichfalls at 11:24 AM on April 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
Remember that Joanna Lumley got her start replacing Dianna Rigg (most recently Lady Olenna Tyrell) in the Avengers - so arse-kicking aristocratic weirdos was sort of her oeuvre
posted by mbo at 11:48 AM on April 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by mbo at 11:48 AM on April 27, 2023 [8 favorites]
Oh wow. I re-watched all of S&S during the pandemic and it mostly holds up despite how slow moving most of the episodes are. Television has changed massively and I cannot see anything like this being made today. The sense of dread in The Train Station story is overwhelming.
That opening sequence is burnt into my brain although it has always annoyed me that neither Sapphire nor Steel are properly elemental.
posted by AndrewStephens at 11:58 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
That opening sequence is burnt into my brain although it has always annoyed me that neither Sapphire nor Steel are properly elemental.
posted by AndrewStephens at 11:58 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
(note: Lumley was in The NEW Avengers - which did a righteous new take on the iconic original show's opening theme music!)
posted by davidmsc at 12:01 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by davidmsc at 12:01 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
→
I found one of the Ranson comics on the internet archive: Look-in v11n50 [1980-12-06] : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. There may be more, but the indexing/metadata might be off.
posted by scruss at 12:17 PM on April 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
Probably unlikely to see the light of day again for complicated license and copyright reasons, but I’d love to read the Arthur Randon drawn comics.
I found one of the Ranson comics on the internet archive: Look-in v11n50 [1980-12-06] : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. There may be more, but the indexing/metadata might be off.
posted by scruss at 12:17 PM on April 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
I watched S&S for the first time last year, and the only bad thing I could find to say about it was that the music sometimes seemed a bit pasted-on. It's a great example of multi-camera studio drama at the peak of its form, with some clever special effects and very effective sets and lighting.
Directors from that era often describe multi-camera TV as being closer to theatre than to film in terms of how it allows the actors to play off each other, and that's certainly true here. The seance scene in the second story was breathtaking.
(I've also watched A Night to Remember recently, plus a fair amount of NCIS in the early 2000s. David McCallum may actually be a time traveller.)
posted by offog at 1:09 PM on April 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
Directors from that era often describe multi-camera TV as being closer to theatre than to film in terms of how it allows the actors to play off each other, and that's certainly true here. The seance scene in the second story was breathtaking.
(I've also watched A Night to Remember recently, plus a fair amount of NCIS in the early 2000s. David McCallum may actually be a time traveller.)
posted by offog at 1:09 PM on April 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
Mr. Ranson himself has some things to say.
There are multiple downloadable collections of his Sapphire & Steel strips. Try limiting results to filetype CBR or CBZ.
posted by meehawl at 1:20 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
There are multiple downloadable collections of his Sapphire & Steel strips. Try limiting results to filetype CBR or CBZ.
posted by meehawl at 1:20 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
you hear a lot of people complaining about this particular time line we're all stuck in, but I'm darned glad to be in one that gives us lines such as this (from the linked Guardian piece):
Back before Joanna Lumley had discovered her inner PR airhead on Absolutely Fabulous, she was quite a passable aristocratic ass-kicker.
posted by philip-random at 1:30 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
Back before Joanna Lumley had discovered her inner PR airhead on Absolutely Fabulous, she was quite a passable aristocratic ass-kicker.
posted by philip-random at 1:30 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
I'm watching the third story now, The Creature's Revenge, and it's definitely my favourite so far. Some terrific sci-fi concepts I've not seen done anywhere else and clever word-building, plus great characters and story. Not only does it hold up, I think it sets a really high bar for all sci-fi shows.
posted by mokey at 2:02 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by mokey at 2:02 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Apparently, the episodes are also on Tubi if you, you know, use Tubi.
posted by wittgenstein at 2:22 PM on April 27, 2023
posted by wittgenstein at 2:22 PM on April 27, 2023
Everything yinz’all have said makes me think I’ll love this show.
posted by slogger at 2:27 PM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by slogger at 2:27 PM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
Offog's comment reminded me about the shows sets, which are notable for being really well designed and dressed. Most of the stories are confined to just a few rooms which could be terrible drab but the sets really do a lot of the heavy lifting. It feels a little bit classier than the Doctor Who's and Blake Sevens' of the same era.
The hip older teenager that introduced the younger me to the show when it played late at night in late-80s repeats observed that it was amazing how little could happen in 30 minutes of still riveting TV. When I describe S&S to other people, I joke that a typical episode synopsis could be "Sapphire and Steel spend 20 minutes in a room talking about whether or not they should go up some stairs, eventually deciding not to."
posted by AndrewStephens at 2:47 PM on April 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
The hip older teenager that introduced the younger me to the show when it played late at night in late-80s repeats observed that it was amazing how little could happen in 30 minutes of still riveting TV. When I describe S&S to other people, I joke that a typical episode synopsis could be "Sapphire and Steel spend 20 minutes in a room talking about whether or not they should go up some stairs, eventually deciding not to."
posted by AndrewStephens at 2:47 PM on April 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
The audio spinoff series starring Susannah Harker and the late great David Warner goes all in on tragic fates ala Assignment 2 and (later on) dabbles in some fun metatextual weirdness.
posted by StarkRoads at 2:48 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by StarkRoads at 2:48 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
We've seen a lot of Sapphire and Steel at MST Club! That's the kind of weirdness we put in sometimes on alternate nights.
posted by JHarris at 3:57 PM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by JHarris at 3:57 PM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
OK but listen: jet, diamond, radium, sapphire, and steel aren't elements, though I suppose diamond is 100% carbon, or close to it—but if diamond is standing in for carbon, then what's jet even doing in there? Also, if transuranics are incompatible with life, shouldn't radium be banned, too?
posted by The Tensor at 4:29 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by The Tensor at 4:29 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
BAH RADIUM IS AN ELEMENT WHERE'S MY EDIT BUTTON.
posted by The Tensor at 4:45 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by The Tensor at 4:45 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
> ...plus a fair amount of NCIS in the early 2000s. David McCallum may actually be a time traveller.)
Kate "What did Ducky look like when he was younger?"
Gibbs: "Illya Kuryakin"
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 6:44 PM on April 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
Kate "What did Ducky look like when he was younger?"
Gibbs: "Illya Kuryakin"
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 6:44 PM on April 27, 2023 [6 favorites]
Okay, I really need to check this out. But since Ilya Kuryakin came up, I also have to leave this here.
posted by mollweide at 7:58 PM on April 27, 2023
posted by mollweide at 7:58 PM on April 27, 2023
Just know that despite the glowing reviews posted in this thread, this show may not be for you--and that's perfectly okay. I came across it a while ago when I was surfing through ShoutFactory's options. I like both of the stars. I have no problem watching older shows or British shows or older British shows. I watched the first episode. Nothing about this show worked for me. The writing, the acting, the pacing, the feel for who the intended audience is (it seems like it was more of a kids' show). I was really disappointed because I was hoping that I had found a hidden gem I had never heard about.
I'm not saying this to dump all over the fans of this show. I just want to offer a counterpoint for people like mollweide who intend to see it for the first time: if you like it, great, but if not, you're not the only one. I suspect it's a very hit-or-miss type of show, and it may not be for you. If you're not digging it once you get a little ways in, it's highly unlikely that you'll start to think better of it by the end.
posted by sardonyx at 8:44 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
I'm not saying this to dump all over the fans of this show. I just want to offer a counterpoint for people like mollweide who intend to see it for the first time: if you like it, great, but if not, you're not the only one. I suspect it's a very hit-or-miss type of show, and it may not be for you. If you're not digging it once you get a little ways in, it's highly unlikely that you'll start to think better of it by the end.
posted by sardonyx at 8:44 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
mollweide, I think your link is broken? I can't seem to get it to open.
posted by JHarris at 9:47 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by JHarris at 9:47 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
sardonyx, from what I've read the first series was intended for children, but this changed from series 2 (or "Assignment 2") onwards.
I agree with what you say about it not being for everyone, all I'd say is it may be worth giving later seasons a quick try even if you don't like the earlier ones, as the approach and style does seem to have changed a bit and each "season" is quite distinct from the others. (Personally I'm not mad about the first two seasons but really like the third one).
posted by mokey at 10:37 PM on April 27, 2023
I agree with what you say about it not being for everyone, all I'd say is it may be worth giving later seasons a quick try even if you don't like the earlier ones, as the approach and style does seem to have changed a bit and each "season" is quite distinct from the others. (Personally I'm not mad about the first two seasons but really like the third one).
posted by mokey at 10:37 PM on April 27, 2023
Oh God, the photograph creature! I saw that story first when I was 10 years old. It was disturbing then, it is disturbing now. I love it.
OK but listen: jet, diamond,radium, sapphire, and steel aren't elements
The fan theory I heard is that they are elements for space/time like fire, air, earth and water are elements for the physical world. So not really elements but a label for forces we don't understand.
(In reality the writers just liked the sound of it.)
posted by antiwiggle at 2:03 AM on April 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
OK but listen: jet, diamond,
The fan theory I heard is that they are elements for space/time like fire, air, earth and water are elements for the physical world. So not really elements but a label for forces we don't understand.
(In reality the writers just liked the sound of it.)
posted by antiwiggle at 2:03 AM on April 28, 2023 [4 favorites]
I somehow missed this. But, then again, being stationed in west Texas at the time, about all I got to to watch on TV was the evening news.
posted by Oh_Bobloblaw at 8:23 AM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Oh_Bobloblaw at 8:23 AM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
The fan theory I heard is that they are elements for space/time like fire, air, earth and water are elements for the physical world. So not really elements but a label for forces we don't understand.
But they mention "atomic weights"! I agree that "sapphire and steel" sounds awesome, so let's rejigger it: pure elements are too powerful to use in the presence of life, but compounds and alloys are more predictable, and therefore permitted. So gold, lead, copper, radium, and silver are out, but jet, sapphire, and steel are OK. And transuranics are still right out, even in compounds. Maybe throw in crystals as another category that's OK, which would rescue diamond. It's still a shame to lose "sapphire, silver, and steel", which is nicely alliterative.
But perhaps I'm overthinking it.
posted by The Tensor at 10:56 AM on April 28, 2023
But they mention "atomic weights"! I agree that "sapphire and steel" sounds awesome, so let's rejigger it: pure elements are too powerful to use in the presence of life, but compounds and alloys are more predictable, and therefore permitted. So gold, lead, copper, radium, and silver are out, but jet, sapphire, and steel are OK. And transuranics are still right out, even in compounds. Maybe throw in crystals as another category that's OK, which would rescue diamond. It's still a shame to lose "sapphire, silver, and steel", which is nicely alliterative.
But perhaps I'm overthinking it.
posted by The Tensor at 10:56 AM on April 28, 2023
I was really disappointed because I was hoping that I had found a hidden gem I had never heard about.
....If you're not digging it once you get a little ways in, it's highly unlikely that you'll start to think better of it by the end.
posted by sardonyx
Eponhysterical!
posted by doctornemo at 12:13 PM on April 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
....If you're not digging it once you get a little ways in, it's highly unlikely that you'll start to think better of it by the end.
posted by sardonyx
Eponhysterical!
posted by doctornemo at 12:13 PM on April 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
I never saw the show as a kid. Never even heard of it until my thirties.
My wife remembered it fondly from living in Britain in her teens, so we sat down to watch it.
So, so much done with so little budget. A fine sense of dread and the surrealism of encountering another world.
posted by doctornemo at 12:14 PM on April 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
My wife remembered it fondly from living in Britain in her teens, so we sat down to watch it.
So, so much done with so little budget. A fine sense of dread and the surrealism of encountering another world.
posted by doctornemo at 12:14 PM on April 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
So gold, lead, copper, radium, and silver are out
Lead and Silver both appear in the show though.
posted by thatwhichfalls at 12:27 PM on April 28, 2023
Lead and Silver both appear in the show though.
posted by thatwhichfalls at 12:27 PM on April 28, 2023
posted by offog
hi peaslake!
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 1:57 PM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
hi peaslake!
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 1:57 PM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Apparently, the episodes are also on Tubi if you, you know, use Tubi.
All the time, it has all kinds of obscure stuff totally free with minimal ads. (Currently binging Lego Masters Australia. Love Tubi.)
posted by LooseFilter at 3:34 PM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
All the time, it has all kinds of obscure stuff totally free with minimal ads. (Currently binging Lego Masters Australia. Love Tubi.)
posted by LooseFilter at 3:34 PM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Caught the tail end of this show, the fourth season of Blake's 7, and the Davison era of Doctor Who (I'd already seen Tom Baker) when I lived in the UK in the early 80s. My little mind has never been the same.
Last year at an online gaming con someone ran a Sapphire and Steel RPG and you better bet I was ALL OVER that like white on rice. I had a great time, too. I really hope he runs another session this summer.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 8:24 PM on April 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
Last year at an online gaming con someone ran a Sapphire and Steel RPG and you better bet I was ALL OVER that like white on rice. I had a great time, too. I really hope he runs another session this summer.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 8:24 PM on April 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
Thanks for my first "Eponhysterical!" doctornemo. (Do you have to take it back if I admit it was entirely unintentional?)
posted by sardonyx at 12:22 PM on April 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sardonyx at 12:22 PM on April 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
(Although given the talk about elements and whatnot, it was likely subconscious.)
posted by sardonyx at 12:24 PM on April 29, 2023
posted by sardonyx at 12:24 PM on April 29, 2023
Well I've now finished all the episodes, and I have to say, Assignment 3, the Creature's Revenge and Assignment 6, the Trap, are easily among my favourite sci-fi of all time. The other stories were less interesting.
It would be so cool to see a reboot or film based on this series.
posted by mokey at 10:38 AM on April 30, 2023
It would be so cool to see a reboot or film based on this series.
posted by mokey at 10:38 AM on April 30, 2023
Behold the terror of… travel chess!
posted by Artw at 11:08 AM on April 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 11:08 AM on April 30, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm almost done with the first series, and My Headcanon is that it's a Laundry Files story about External Assets.
posted by mikelieman at 6:46 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 6:46 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]
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