Series synopsis
The Tripods is a British sci-fi & fantasy television series that premiered on BBC One on September 15, 1984. It ended on November 23, 1985. It was created by John Christopher. It stars John Shackley, Jim Baker, Ceri Seel and Pamela Salem.
In the year 2089, an alien race stalks the land in towering machines known as Tripods. They have taken over the earth and enslaved mankind with a mind-controlling device, ceremoniously implanted at adolescence. Will Parker, desperate to escape this ritual, leaves the village with his cousin, Henry and attempts to link up with the human resistance movement.
Premise
In the year 2089, an alien race stalks the land in towering machines known as Tripods. They have taken over the earth and enslaved mankind with a mind-controlling device, ceremoniously implanted at adolescence. Will Parker, desperate to escape this ritual, leaves the village with his cousin, Henry and attempts to link up with the human resistance movement.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- John Shackley as Will Parker
- Jim Baker as Henry Parker
- Ceri Seel as Jean-Paul “Beanpole” Deliet
- Pamela Salem as Gräfin de Ricordeau
- Jeremy Young as Graf de Ricordeau
- Charlotte Long as Eloise de Ricordeau
- Robin Hayter as Fritz Eger
- John Woodvine as Meister West 468
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 25 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 13 | September 15, 1984 | December 8, 1984 |
| Season 2 | 12 | September 7, 1985 | November 23, 1985 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Village in England - July, 2089 A.D. The story begins with the capping of Jack, one of Will Parker's friends. Will's community looks to be living in the 1800s as there are no machines or electrical devices, although Tripods are commonplace. In preparing for the capping of Jack, Will and Henry deliver food to vagrants which are people whose capping didn't go well. Living among them is Ozymandias who reveals to Will the secret of the White Mountains where men live free. Jack is capped, and returns to the village as a controlled mind. Will and Henry start their voyage to the White Mountains. |
September 15, 1984 |
| 2 |
England - July, 2089 A.D. Two cousins, Will and Henry Parker, resist the capping process. Under the guidance of a man named Ozymandias, they flee their homes in search of other free humans who are hiding in the White Mountains. |
September 22, 1984 |
| 3 |
The English Channel - July, 2089 A.D. Will and Henry cross over to France, but they are captured upon their arrival and held for the Tripods to complete their capping. |
September 29, 1984 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The White Mountains - 2090 A.D. The season opens with the boys in the White Mountains, training with the free men to enter the Tripod´s games. Only the best will be selected by Julius. |
September 7, 1985 |
| 2 |
Travel All the boys have been chosen to participate in the games. Now comes a trip to Germany, to reach the games stadium. |
September 14, 1985 |
| 3 |
Will Is Arrested Will is arrested after a fight while drunk, Beanpole is missing, and Fritz may head for the games without them. Will and Beanpole end up on the run from Goetz. |
September 21, 1985 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 15, 1984 |
| Last aired | November 23, 1985 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Saturday |