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https://youtu.be/2ncytk5bIe8?si=6F3UeP8IJPF8x3hC
Special Branch is a British television series made by Thames Television for ITV and shown between 1969 and 1974. A police drama series, the action was centred on members of the Special Branch anti-espionage and anti-terrorist department of the London Metropolitan Police.
The first two series were shot mainly in a studio on videotape with filmed location inserts; a standard method of the time but one which suffered from jarring differences in picture quality between interior and exterior scenes. The location scenes of some episodes were shot on outside broadcast cameras, leading to smoother transitions between location and studio work for those episodes. Series 1 and 2 starred Derren Nesbitt as Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Jordan, working to Detective Superintendent Eden (Wensley Pithey) and subsequently Det. Supt. Inman (Fulton Mackay). The episodes featuring Eden (the first nine of Series 1) were recorded in black and white, while all subsequent episodes were recorded on colour videotape.
The show was revamped in 1973 after Thames Television’s Euston Films subsidiary took over production using film, which allowed for a less studio-based series. Euston Films had pioneered the technique of shooting action and adventure series entirely on location using 16mm film, for a more gritty and realistic look. These episodes starred George Sewell as DCI Alan Craven and Roger Rowland as Bill North. In series 3 episode 2, Patrick Mower debuted as Craven’s colleague and often antagonist, DCI Tom Haggerty. By the 1974 series Bill North had been axed, having had a nervous breakdown, though he returned for one episode later in the run.
Another character was Strand, who appeared in the fourth series, the man from the Ministry, played by Paul Eddington. Strand was a toffee-nosed civil servant who kept an unwanted eye on the detectives and their budgets. He sometimes manipulated them in order to pursue obscure matters of state, such as in the episode “Double Exposu
The Revolution – #4/13 – American Crisis
About this series
The American Revolution (also known as The Revolution) is a 2006 miniseries from The History Channel composed of thirteen episodes which track the American Revolution from the Boston Massacre through the Treaty of Paris, which declared America’s independence from Great Britain. The series is narrated by Edward Herrmann.
About this episode – American Crisis
The Revolution examines the early parts of the American Revolution and looks at the flagging morale of the continental army and how some generals began to question Washington’s leadership abilities after a few of his early losses. Eventually, Washington is able to silence his skeptics by crossing the Delaware and defeating the Hessian soldiers at Trenton.
India Invented – #4/18 – Age of Iron
India from an Indian perspective.
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The Series
This episode
Uploaded September 07, 2024
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Link below
https://youtu.be/eO-bKHn7ABo?si=4sTw4UgEKHNk0C71
Mildred invites people to her coffee morning, but the only guest who arrives is Ann, who is heavily pregnant.
Jerry tells George about a scheme to poach pigeons from Trafalgar Square to create a ‘pigeon farm’. They would breed them, kill them, fry them and sell them in a chain of shops. George has very little money, so he thinks it a good idea to sell the house to raise the capital to back it. He goes to Fourmile to ask him to put the house on the market, which he gleefully does without charging any commission. Mildred is angry when she finds out from Ann that George tried to sell it, so it is taken off the market. Jerry tells George that he has another scheme — selling newts.
Patricia Kneale and Robert Raglan appear in this episode.
Satirical Parody by The Intel Lady of Angela Rayner, John Healey, the Budget and the British Labour Party and Government
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The Daily T: On Autopilot To Oblivion
The Daily T: On Autopilot To Oblivion | Labour’s ‘Appalling’ budget with Tim Stanley, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Allister Heath, Editor of The Sunday Telegraph
Uploaded to You Tube October 23, 2026
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Quite Right! | Michael Gove interviews Douglas Murray | Integration has failed – Britain faces civil conflict, but our civilisation can still be saved
Uploaded October 29, 2026
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Michael Portillo: Great British Railway Journeys – #52 – #07/25 – S03E07 – Reading to Alton
Michael Portillo – Great British Railway Journeys – this is a great series.
Portillo’s enthusiasm is infectious and fun.
This Episode
Michael Portillo takes to the tracks with a copy of George Bradshaw’s Victorian Railway Guidebook. Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country to see how the railways changed us and what remains of Bradshaw’s Britain, in a series of five epic journeys.
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The Brink is hosted by: Jake Wallis Simons newspaper columnist and foreign correspondent; plus fellow host Andrew Fox, former British Army Officer and now geopolitical analyst
Uploaded October 29, 2026
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From Jesús Fernández-Villaverde: Will AI poison the public finances of many modern states? There is a real risk that it will. Yesterday, I circulated…
Will bystander economies be able to finance their governments?
China rules Mbappé offside – and kicks home a lesson in what not to say when you mention Mao
Bob Edlin writes – No, we won’t describe Mao Tse Tung – or Mao Zedong – as a communist dictator. First, to do so would expose PoO to the prospect of…
China rules Mbappé offside – and kicks home a lesson in what not to say when you mention Mao
Drachinifel: Cruiser Guns of WW2
Bob Edlin writes – If you have ever wondered what cannon fodder looks like in politics, check out the news from Hutt South today. New Zealand First …
Alistair Boyce – the bloke whose (improbable) move from the Backbencher to the back benches has been blown away
Save the welfare state? Save the state first
James Templeton writes – The ever-interesting economist John Cochrane writes on his Substack about a conference on the question of saving the welfare…
Save the welfare state? Save the state first
David Barber writes – Weighing up how to vote in this election, I am reflecting on how New Zealand has changed since I migrated here from Britain 63…
NZ in 2026 – has it become a better place over the past six decades?
I left New Zealand over an email
David Smylie writes – I left New Zealand over an email. It was a private, four-sentence reply to a sales rep, sent late one night.
I left New Zealand over an email
“Freedom” group voices dismay at Dame Jacinda’s new job – but what does a Professor of Practice do?
Bob Edlin writes – Big-wigs at the University of Sydney this week expressed their delight at hiring Dame Jacinda Ardern. Their press release said:
“Freedom” group voices dismay at Dame Jacinda’s new job – but what does a Professor of Practice do?
Mike Graham: Thursday October 29, 2026
The full daily show followed by Littlewood and Cox
Link below
https://www.youtube.com/live/o6wOkopl2Ic?si=ApTudzi2g62o9V1h
State broadcasters coverage of minor parties
An interesting analysis of time given to minor parties by the two state broadcasters is here. My summary is: 32 more words
State broadcasters coverage of minor parties
Peters endorses Bishop
The Herald reports: Some of the only warm words in Peters’ speech were reserved for the local MP, National’s Chris Bishop, who is facing a tight race…
Peters endorses Bishop
The Greens are consistent
The only thing surprising about the Greens defending their attendance at a Mongrel Mob hui, is that people were surprised they attended. The Greens …
The Greens are consistent
Free Speech Union NZ: Ani O’Brien and Liam Hehir have a Good Faith Yarn in Palmerston North
Ani O’Brien and Liam Hehir discuss various issues
August 04, 2026
Link below
https://youtu.be/Yf5TDY31SyU?si=cnqnIsllmvNi9YQC
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