Sky (ITV 1976, Marc Harrison, Stuart Lock)

In this legendary scifi drama series teenager Arby Vennor discovers alien being Sky who reveals he has travelled from another time via the Juganet. This is a kind of intergalactic/future time matter transportation device which can only be described by the forces it generates not the shape it takes.

Taking him to shelter in a nearby cave Sky reveals that not only his own life in danger but also that of any one who shelters him from the Earth itself which is generating energy to cleanse itself of the unwelcome incomer. It isn’t too long before Arby’s sister Jane and neighbour Roy are also involved.

The Earth’s attempt to be rid of Sky leads to the generation of another being called Goodchild whose sole aim is make sure that Sky is eliminated, it’s a race against time as the trio of teenagers attempt to reconnect Sky with the Juganet before he is killed by Goodchild.

Hugely well remembered by scifi fans Sky has a lot going for it, a very intriguing and surprisingly complex plot line and strong concept. It’s certainly aimed at an older audience with its occasionally disturbing and discordant imagery. Structure wise its almost like a serious take on Catweazle at times, teenager finds strange being, helps them return home etc. Sky has quite strong powers such as telepathy (he remarks that he is a God at one point) and is not averse to using them, his eyes glowing blue when he does so.

Incidentally much of the location work was filmed around prominent stone circles such as Stonehenge, Avebury and Glastonbury. Despite a few longeurs Sky is a nicely challenging telefantasy scifi classic.

Speaking to the TV Times writer Bob Baker said of Sky “he is part Angel, part waif and totally ignorant of the world in which he finds himself. He’s neither hero nor villain, but his power over mortals, his distance ahead of them, makes him a god.”

production details
UK / ITV Network – Harlech Television / 7×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 7 April – 19 May 1976

Writers: Bob Baker, Dave Martin / Music: Eric Wetherll / Production Design: John Biggs / Producer: Leonard White / Director: Patrick Dromgoole

cast
MARC HARRISON as Sky
STUART LOCK as Arby Vennor
CHERRALD BUTTERFIELD as Jane Vennor
RICHARD SPEIGHT as Roy Briggs
JACK WATSON as Major Briggs
FRANCES CUKA as Mrs Vennor
THOMAS HEATHCOTE as Mr Vennor
ROBERT EDDISON as Ambrose Goodchild
DAVID JACKSON as Sergeant Simmons
REX HOLDSWORTH as Dr Marshall
BARNARD ARCHARD as Haril
PETER COPLEY as Revil
TREVOR RAY as Rex
PRUNELLA RANSOME as Susannah
SEAN LYNCH as Michael
MEREDITH EDWARDS as Tom
BARBARA BABER as Receptionist
GERARD HELY as Dr Saul
GEOFF SERLE as Orderly
URSULA BARCLAY, MONICA LAVERS as Nurses
EPISODE TITLES
BURNING BRIGHT
JUGANET
GOODCHILD
WHAT DREAD HAND
EVALAKE
LIFE FORCE
CHARIOT OF FIRE