Episode Critics
Compiled by Martin Willey

20. The Seance Spectre

It's a mediocre yarn, but stands head and shoulders above many other second season stories because it avoids cliché. Carolyn Seymour...gives a charismatic performance as Sanderson's girlfriend Eva. There's some pleasing model work as an Eagle crash-lands on the planet, and some uncharacteristic continuity as Koenig decides to recreate the explosion which blew the Moon out of Earth's orbit. Where's Victor Bergman when you need him! (Richard Houldsworth, TV Zone, 1994)

The most remarkable thing about The Seance Spectre, or should I say the only remarkable thing, is that it does not contain even a reference to seance or a spectre. It might be assumed that this little misnomer may have come about due to a more apposite title such as 'crap' being unacceptable to a tea-time audience. The highlight of the episode comes with a showdown between Koenig and Sanderson... This, together with a full scale evacuation of the moonbase, hark back to the action packed episodes of season one. (Anthony McKay, Dreamwatch, 1994)

Rather odd title as the 'seance' isn't really one and there isn't a spectre in sight. Not a bad episode but it's a bit lacklustre and ordinary. Carolyn Seymour is a good enough reason to watch, though. B- (Chris Bentley, SFX 20, 1996)

The characters are dynamic and charismatic and they propel the action forward with each move. And importantly they are likable believable people in danger, nto just ciphers. The best aspect of Donald James' script is the philosophical themes throughout. Sanderson clearly represents Charles Manson. (John Kenneth Muir, Exploring Space: 1999, p148)

Seance Spectre is a first rate script which is also filled with non-stop action and countless small climaxes. An over-the-top performance from Ken Hutchinson detracts from the character's impact, a caricature instead of a character, lacking in subtlety. 9/10 (Bob Wood, The Future Is Fantastic, 2001)