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Hyperdrive (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Hyperdrive is a British television
science fiction
sitcom
series produced by the BBC
created under the working title of "Full Power." BBC2 broadcast two series in 2006 and 2007, A third series is yet to be commissioned and the actor Kevin Eldon has indicated that is unlikely to be. Set in 2151 and 2152, it follows the crew of HMS
Camden Lock
as they stumble through their heroic mission to protect British interests in a changing galaxy.
The series is written by Kevin Cecil
and Andy Riley
and directed by John Henderson
and produced by Alex Walsh-Taylor. The first episode was broadcast on BBC Two
on 11 January 2006. A second series began on 12 July 2007 on BBC Two
.
The design for HMS Camden Lock was based loosely upon the BT Tower
in London. It is a 'Wendover
' class ship and measures 376m long by 90m wide. The ship's registration is XH558 - the same serial number as the last flying Avro Vulcan
bomber. Shuttlebay doors on the Camden are shown with the Union Jack embossed on them, which is part of the proudly British theme of the series. Camden Lock
is the name of a lock
on a canal
in the real Camden
in London
.
The Camden Lock is powered by P-Rods, with the P standing for Perfectly safe, although it is rumoured to stand for Plutonium. Her maximum speed is 170 Vs—any higher and the reactors overheat. Her maximum crush depth is 197 atmospheres.
The Camden Lock is armed with missiles and pulse weapons of some form. The laser guns wielded by her crew bear a striking resemblance to crutches.
The Green Javelins (a 'space-o-batics' precision flying team that appear in Series 2, Episode 1) also use 'Wendover' class ships.
. They like to dress in jester-like bright red latex suits. They desire everyone to marvel at their civilization. As revealed in "Artifact", they gained a space-faring capability after half of the population was sold as food to an insectoid species to 'grind up in their mandables for their children.' This was seen by the King as a good trade off. Their leader possesses a "Doom Ray" which he threatens Henderson, Teal, and York with. According to him, it will disintegrate them "in under three days", and requires a week to recharge.
subculture, or the Ali G stereotype of white youth.
of the Star Trek: The Next Generation
Borg
, the Red Shiny Robots of Vortis are eager to absorb the information and knowledge of various races, exterminating them in the process. They appear to be clad in red latex, they extract the minds of the lifeforms into the "data-sphere" which leaves the bodies dead, although it has the weakness of disruption if those who are having their minds "harvested" think of falsehoods (allusion to the Star Fleet attempt to plant an optical illusion computational worm
in the Borg collective in the I, Borg episode).
There is also a model of Red Shiny Robot of Vortis used for infiltration, designed to look like attractive women, though based on the episode, it's debatable whether they truly understand the concept of attractive. This could also be based on human-like Cylons
featured in the 2004 Battlestar Galactica
.
as Henderson and Mark Gatiss
as York, the rest of the cast was the same as in the series. It was directed by Armando Iannucci
and was never aired.
British television
Public television broadcasting started in the United Kingdom in 1936, and now has a collection of free and subscription services over a variety of distribution media, through which there are over 480 channelsTaking the base Sky EPG TV Channels. A breakdown is impossible due to a) the number of...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
series produced by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
created under the working title of "Full Power." BBC2 broadcast two series in 2006 and 2007, A third series is yet to be commissioned and the actor Kevin Eldon has indicated that is unlikely to be. Set in 2151 and 2152, it follows the crew of HMS
Her Majesty's Ship
Her or His Majesty's Ship is the ship prefix used for ships of the navy in some monarchies, either formally or informally.-HMS:* In the British Royal Navy, it refers to the king or queen of the United Kingdom as appropriate at the time...
Camden Lock
Camden Lock
Camden Lock, or Hampstead Road Locks is a twin manually-operated lock on the Regent's Canal in Camden Town, London Borough of Camden. The sign on each of the twin locks reads "Hampstead Road Lock 1"...
as they stumble through their heroic mission to protect British interests in a changing galaxy.
The series is written by Kevin Cecil
Kevin Cecil
Kevin Robert Cecil is a British screenwriter.Writing alongside Andy Riley , he has won two BAFTA awards, the first for writing the Comic Relief one-off special, Robbie the Reindeer, in 2000, and the second for Black Books in 2005...
and Andy Riley
Andy Riley
Andy Riley is a British author, cartoonist, comics scriptwriter, and television screenwriter.Riley has written several best-selling cartoon books, The Book of Bunny Suicides , Return of the Bunny Suicides, The Bumper Book of Bunny Suicides, Dawn of the Bunny Suicides, Great Lies To Tell Small...
and directed by John Henderson
John Henderson (director)
John Henderson is a British film and television director His first directing job was for Spitting Image on ITV, which won him a BAFTA...
and produced by Alex Walsh-Taylor. The first episode was broadcast on BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
on 11 January 2006. A second series began on 12 July 2007 on BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
.
Cast and characters
- Nick FrostNick FrostNicholas John "Nick" Frost is an English actor, comedian and screenwriter. He is best known for his work with Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg in the role of Mike Watt in the television comedy Spaced, as well as the film characters Ed in Shaun of the Dead, PC/Sgt...
plays the character of Space Commander Michael "Mike" "Lucky Jack" "Hendo" Henderson – According to the official website of the series, Henderson's "Space Force File" describes Henderson's career arc this way: "Henderson rose through the ranks in exactly the way we say people can in the recruitment ads, yet endeavour to prevent in practice. Henderson shows initiative; always a dangerous sign." It also says Henderson's education was received at DagenhamDagenhamDagenham is a large suburb in East London, forming the eastern part of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and located east of Charing Cross. It was historically an agrarian village in the county of Essex and remained mostly undeveloped until 1921 when the London County Council began...
Secondary Modern and New PortsmouthPortsmouthPortsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
Cadet Camp. The website further describes Henderson is an idealistic explorer, eager to meet new races, and feels he is undervalued given his low-priority assignments. Frost's character also has a recurring theme, his favourite show, 'Captain Helix'. He is very protective of his Commander's chair, which he refers to as "Spinning Jenny." - Kevin Eldon as First Officer Eduardo Pauline York – a brilliant scientist and tactician, second in command of the Camden Lock. He is also a borderline sociopath, obsessed with and taking immense joy in violence, needing only the slightest provocation to attack someone. He believes in a hardline doctrineDoctrineDoctrine is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system...
and feels Commander Henderson is too lenient regarding the crew and application of regulations. He does not trust Technical Officer Jeffers, and has the ability to hold his breath for seven and a half hours to avoid the effects of sedative gas. He also shows great affection towards Sandstrom, appearing to be in love with her at certain points in the show, even becoming jealous when Vine is kissing Sandstrom in his "Pub-conscious". Like his friend Henderson, York also watches 'Captain Helix'. - Miranda HartMiranda HartMiranda Katharine Hart Dyke , known professionally as Miranda Hart, is an English actress, writer and stand-up comedienne. She writes and stars in the BBC sitcom Miranda...
as Diplomatic Officer Chloe Alice Teal – Teal has a large and obvious crush on Commander Henderson, who has not responded to her advances. Teal's skills as a diplomat could be questioned, as during the episode Hello, Queppu, her drunken outburst results in the Queppu imprisoning the three senior officers of the Camden Lock. She failed her final exam to become an officer, and is only present on the HMS Camden Lock as her father is an ambassador. She is also the yogaYogaYoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
instructor on the ship.
- Stephen Evans as Navigator Dave Vine – Vine's greatest apparent achievement to date is purchasing a planet in an auction. The planet was quickly renamed Vineworld with such locations as Vine City 1 and Vine Ridge. Vine is a quiet member of the crew, uncomfortable with standing up to the outgoing personality of Jeffers or the authoritarianismAuthoritarianismAuthoritarianism is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority. It is usually opposed to individualism and democracy...
of York. He is a collector of 1990s "antiques", believing it to be a simpler time; this is reflected by his "pub-conscious", which is the only dream he has, a pub in 1995, where it is revealed that he, like York, is attracted to Sandstrom. - Dan AntopolskiDan AntopolskiFor the rowing coach and commentator, see Daniel TopolskiDan Antopolski is a British stand-up comic, actor and writer, mostly known for his surreal stand-up.- Stand-up comedy :Shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe include:...
as Technical Officer Karl Jeffers – an easy going and lax member of the bridge crew who has been placed in command of the Camden Lock on at least two occasions by Commander Henderson. He dislikes York and makes written notes on all the senior officer's mistakes. Jeffers has a liking for alien music; in particular, he enjoyed listening to the Lallakiss war anthem, "Kill the Humans", whilst on duty. - Petra MasseyPetra MasseyPetra Massey is a British actress, and a physical theatre performer in stage, film and television. Petra is best known for British television playing the "enhanced human" Sandstrom in the BBC2 Sci-Fi comedy series Hyperdrive 2006-07....
as Sandstrom – an enhanced human, a cyborg interface needed to ensure the Camden Lock keeps functioning. She agreed to have her body and mind modified in exchange for the Space Force paying off her student loanStudent loanA student loan is designed to help students pay for university tuition, books, and living expenses. It may differ from other types of loans in that the interest rate may be substantially lower and the repayment schedule may be deferred while the student is still in education...
, assuming the offer would not be made if the procedure was not safe. Her personality was then overwritten and she functions much like an android, although chocolate seems to have an adverse emotional effect on her. She seems to have a lot of affection for York, and is much more obvious about her feelings for him than he is about his for her. She gets very jealous whenever another Enhanced comes on board. - Maggie Service as a variety of Computer Voices – these serve primarily as throwaway lines and interstitials, and include user interfaces (To access the toilet, enter the second, fourth and eighty-third numbers in your security code) and shipwide announcements (Attention all crew: Today is Take Your Clone to Work Day. If you don't have a clone, go and see the Clone Officer on Level 7). In series two, some computer voices are played by Ewan Bailey.
HMS Camden Lock
BT Tower
The BT Tower is a tall cylindrical building in London, United Kingdom, located at 60 Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia W1T 4JZ, London Borough of Camden. It has been previously known as the Post Office Tower, the London Telecom Tower and the British Telecom Tower. The main structure is tall, with a...
in London. It is a 'Wendover
Wendover
Wendover is a market town that sits at the foot of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, England. It is also a civil parish within Aylesbury Vale district...
' class ship and measures 376m long by 90m wide. The ship's registration is XH558 - the same serial number as the last flying Avro Vulcan
Avro Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan, sometimes referred to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan, was a jet-powered delta wing strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A V Roe & Co designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced,...
bomber. Shuttlebay doors on the Camden are shown with the Union Jack embossed on them, which is part of the proudly British theme of the series. Camden Lock
Camden Lock
Camden Lock, or Hampstead Road Locks is a twin manually-operated lock on the Regent's Canal in Camden Town, London Borough of Camden. The sign on each of the twin locks reads "Hampstead Road Lock 1"...
is the name of a lock
Lock (water transport)
A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is...
on a canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
in the real Camden
Camden
- Australia :* Camden, New South Wales** Camden Council ** Electoral district of Camden- England :* London Borough of Camden** Camden Town, an area in the borough* Camden School for Girls- United States :* Camden, Alabama* Camden, Arkansas...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The Camden Lock is powered by P-Rods, with the P standing for Perfectly safe, although it is rumoured to stand for Plutonium. Her maximum speed is 170 Vs—any higher and the reactors overheat. Her maximum crush depth is 197 atmospheres.
The Camden Lock is armed with missiles and pulse weapons of some form. The laser guns wielded by her crew bear a striking resemblance to crutches.
The Green Javelins (a 'space-o-batics' precision flying team that appear in Series 2, Episode 1) also use 'Wendover' class ships.
The Glish
The Glish are repulsive-looking, slimy creatures who like to communicate by drooling and licking. Commander Henderson causes a diplomatic conflict by not allowing the Glish ambassadors to rub their genitals on his face.The Queppu
The Queppu are a Mediaeval-ish race living on a mostly desert planet. They have a pseudo-feudal society with a despotic borderline insane king with a daughter not unlike Lucrezia BorgiaLucrezia Borgia
Lucrezia Borgia [luˈkrɛtsia ˈbɔrʤa] was the illegitimate daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, the powerful Renaissance Valencian who later became Pope Alexander VI, and Vannozza dei Cattanei. Her brothers included Cesare Borgia, Giovanni Borgia, and Gioffre Borgia...
. They like to dress in jester-like bright red latex suits. They desire everyone to marvel at their civilization. As revealed in "Artifact", they gained a space-faring capability after half of the population was sold as food to an insectoid species to 'grind up in their mandables for their children.' This was seen by the King as a good trade off. Their leader possesses a "Doom Ray" which he threatens Henderson, Teal, and York with. According to him, it will disintegrate them "in under three days", and requires a week to recharge.
The Lallakkis
The Lallakkis are another pseudo-Mediaeval race. They dress in somber brown leather, appear unkempt, have the mental capability of 10-year-olds, and are eager to play chicken and use violence at slightest irritation. They make a battle song for every war they fight, one of their battle songs is "Kill the Humans" which includes a death threat for Commander Henderson in the lyrics. They appear to be caricatures of the British ChavChav
A chav is a term that is used in the United Kingdom to describe a stereotype of teenagers and young adults from an underclass background.-Etymology:...
subculture, or the Ali G stereotype of white youth.
The Bulaagh
A highly developed race, they are very haughty about their civilization, looking down on everyone else. Not as trigger-happy as the Lallakkis, they nevertheless ally themselves against Britain with the Lallakkis after the Lallakkis called Commander Henderson's bluff, resulting in the destruction of an asteroid which was the subject of a dispute between the two races.The Red Shiny Robots of Vortis
A parodyParody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of the Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
Borg
Borg (Star Trek)
The Borg are a fictional pseudo-race of cybernetic organisms depicted in the Star Trek universe associated with Star Trek.Whereas cybernetics are used by other races in the science fiction world to repair bodily damage and birth defects, the Borg use enforced cybernetic enhancement as a means of...
, the Red Shiny Robots of Vortis are eager to absorb the information and knowledge of various races, exterminating them in the process. They appear to be clad in red latex, they extract the minds of the lifeforms into the "data-sphere" which leaves the bodies dead, although it has the weakness of disruption if those who are having their minds "harvested" think of falsehoods (allusion to the Star Fleet attempt to plant an optical illusion computational worm
Computer worm
A computer worm is a self-replicating malware computer program, which uses a computer network to send copies of itself to other nodes and it may do so without any user intervention. This is due to security shortcomings on the target computer. Unlike a computer virus, it does not need to attach...
in the Borg collective in the I, Borg episode).
There is also a model of Red Shiny Robot of Vortis used for infiltration, designed to look like attractive women, though based on the episode, it's debatable whether they truly understand the concept of attractive. This could also be based on human-like Cylons
Cylon (reimagining)
Cylons are a race which appear in the reimagined Battlestar Galactica television series and its prequel Caprica. They have several forms, some of which resemble and even mimic the behavior of humans, while others are mechanical in appearance and function.In the first DVD, one of the show's creators...
featured in the 2004 Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American military science fiction television series, and part of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The show was developed by Ronald D. Moore as a re-imagining of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series created by Glen A. Larson...
.
The Engulfers
Extradimensional beings of pure energy, they consume atoms and excrete black holes. They are able to swallow spaceships whole.The Scrane
Interstellar pirates who are interested in stealing the most lethal weapon the Space Fleet has at its disposal.Episode list
The original pilot episode was first named "Lepus" and later "Full Power", It starred Sanjeev BhaskarSanjeev Bhaskar
Sanjeev Bhaskar, OBE is a British Indian comedian, actor and broadcaster, best known for his work in the BBC Two comedy series Goodness Gracious Me and as host of The Kumars at No. 42...
as Henderson and Mark Gatiss
Mark Gatiss
Mark Gatiss is an English actor, screenwriter and novelist. He is best known as a member of the comedy team The League of Gentlemen, and has both written for and acted in the TV series Doctor Who and Sherlock....
as York, the rest of the cast was the same as in the series. It was directed by Armando Iannucci
Armando Iannucci
Armando Giovanni Iannucci is a Scottish comedian, satirist, writer, director, performer and radio producer. Born in Glasgow, he studied at Oxford University and left graduate work on a PhD about John Milton to pursue a career in comedy....
and was never aired.
Series 1 (2006)
| # | # | Title | Directed by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Series 2 (2007)
| # | # | Title | Directed by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|