Anoraks Assemble

The Omega Factor is a short-lived BBC drama which first appeared in 1979.

Tom Crane is an investigative journalist who appears to possess untapped psychic powers. Whilst investigating the death of his wife, who perished in a mysterious car accident, he unwittingly becomes involved with Department 7, a secret government agency (aren’t they all), who investigate paranormal phenomena.

Other members of Department 7 include the mysterious Martindale, who is supervisor of the unit. Should we trust him? Probably not. He is a complex character who leaves viewers uncertain as to his motives, and where his allegiance lies.

Finally, we have Dr. Anne Reynolds, an old friend of Tom’s late wife, and someone whom he starts to fall in love with.

I have to say, I was blown away by this series. I absolutely loved it. Like so many 1970s dramas, it is slow-moving and “talky”, but I really do not mind that. I believe it adds to the atmosphere.

And speaking of atmosphere, the series was filmed on location in Edinburgh, which makes a nice change from London. The Edinburgh landscape plays a big part in the tone of the show. It has a grim, almost grubby look which I think heightens the bleak atmosphere.

The casting is excellent. James Hazeldine – who passed away far too young – is wonderful as Tom Crane, and Louise Jameson, best known to cult TV fans from her stint in Dr. Who, is terrific as Anne Reynolds. Finally, John Carlisle is suitably untrustworthy as the morally ambiguous Martindale.

With its themes of horror, sci-fi and conspiracy, with a touch of, ‘will they, won’t they’ thrown in, it is clear that the show is a very early forerunner to The X-Files, and it is a crying shame we only have one series of 10 episodes to enjoy.

Mary Whitehouse, the famous ‘clean-up TV campaigner’, once described The Omega Factor as, “Thoroughly evil.”

I think that is as good a recommendation as anything!