wood_bee

Must correct another reviewer's comment that 'Spearhead was axed after 19 episodes'. Technically that is the case, but only because Southern TV lost its franchise and everything they were making at the time was 'axed' in the same way; it was not just 'Spearhead'.

My memories of the series are that it was an honest attempt to do for the Army what 'Warship' did for the Navy - i.e. to present it in as realistic a manner as possible consistent with the demands of good TV drama and resource limitations. The cast were all excellent and some of them turned in absolutely heart-rending performances.

I suspect this series fell into the legal limbo of rights reversions and contract clauses, otherwise it would be out on DVD by now; shows with far less merit have already been dusted off and re-issued, and I'm sure there would be an audience for this one.

The best new series to come out of the US since 'The West Wing', and it gets cancelled immediately! The story lines are universally intelligent and thought-provoking and the characters multi-dimensional; what's more, the assembled talent of the cast is so beautifully balanced on the knife-edge between serious and comic that the show is constantly throwing up surprises. In short, there's nothing at all predictable about it, which is a joy in itself.

It's also a pleasure to have good strong female characters (Brianna, Sonia and Charlotte) and the occasional weak male (John). There's a whole lot more I would have liked to learn about these people, and I feel cheated of the chance to watch them develop and interact further. Let's hope a DVD release will not be too far away.