Since the BBC brought back Doctor Who and scared itself to death with its unexpected success, Aunty Beeb has been trying to pull off the same trick. It came close with Merlin but fell short with Robin Hood. It's next attempt was Atlantis. Intended for the same Saturday evening slot and audience, Atlantis is a good Doctor Who substitute. Its got a handsome heroic lead with two comical sidekicks, who get reluctantly pulled into good old-fashioned good versus evil romps. Greek mythology is a rich source material for a family adventure show. Season 1 was family friendly with monsters of the week, foreboding prophecies and at least two budding romances. The writing was on the wall for poor old Medusa and Hercules, but Jason and Ariadne looked to have a chance. Season 2 got a bit darker (do any shows get lighter?) with more blade work and butchery, but still nothing too violent for the little ones. Good family fun. However, there's a catch. Season 2, which will soon return after the near compulsory mid-season break, will be the last. The Beeb is going to allow Atlantis to sink beneath the waves. This is a shame as the series could have run for a long time, capably filling the Saturday tea-time family slot while Doctor Who was between seasons. However, this show's early demise allows you to rant about the BBC's contempt for the fans, and write angry letters to the director demanding its reinstatement. It's like 1989 all over again.
Older than some and taller than most. Grey of eye and white of beard.
Stephen's book 'Hiding', about a boy who meets a goblin in a local wood, is available to download from the usual places. Think of it as a scavenger hunt.
