One Of These Things

I'd like to talk to you today about one of my all time favourite shows. It's a science fiction tv show that started way back in the 60's when TV was still black and white, but is still going strong today.

Indeed, when someone mentions science fiction in connection with it's country of origin it's almost the first thing that springs to mind. Whilst perhaps considered rather culty by some it's permeated the national conciousness to the point where everyone knows a little about even if they've never seen it.

In this series that I so love a powerful, yet benevolent alien protects mankind from the threats of alien invasion, rampaging monsters and even the occasional giant robot.

Whilst he comes from a far away world ruled by an ancient race of almost limitless power, he has a particular fondness for the planet earth, and a great affection for it's people. He sees the goodness and inherent potential of the human race, but is not blind to it's flaws. Still, in spite of the mankind's occasional failing, the hero of our show frequently puts his life on the line in our defence. Without him the human race would have been annihilated a hundred times over.

Of course, he can't always do it alone, and often pairs up with a young, heroic human being.

Many times he has worked alongside a specialised international military organisation that has been created to investigate the strange and unusual and, where necessary, fight it. Of course, although equipped with the best earth can offer and possessed of a rare passion and determination they frequently find themselves unable to best the foes that assail them, and must rely on the aid of our hero to win through.

The series itself has, as I said, been running for several decades now. Obviously it's gone through many periods of change, with the whole production staff and cast shifting. Even the our leading man, that powerful alien traveller himself has gone through many incarnations over the years.

Although of course this does mean that from time to time everybody can get together for a team up special.

Whilst the show is firmly grounded in a science fiction adventure type mold, among the episodes themselves there is a surprising amount of variation and shifts in tone and style. Some stories are dark, disturbing tales of horror or violence. Other times the adventures are light-hearted, or even flat out comedic. And all from a show that is, ostensibly, for children. Despite that label however the show has a strong adult following, as many fans have grown up with it, and even been inspired by it. There was even that time they did a darker, adult themed spin off.

Of course, having been going for so many years the show is not without it's detractors. There are always those who will look back on those venerable old episodes and laugh. They regard the special effects poorly, and indeed for some the show is a go-to example of cheap and shoddy. Of course, there's no pleasing some people, and there are always some fools who will judge a TV monster suit from the 70's by some multi-million dollar cgi movie effect of the present day. They don't appreciate the constraints of time, budget, and available technology. What they really fail to see is how excellent and in many cases ground breaking the effects were in series. It was the work in this show (and others like it) that paved the way for what we have now. This isn't to say that some monsters weren't more successful than others of course, but that's the way of things. The point is that new aliens/monsters/robots were created for every story. Although obviously a few favourites have reappeared over the years to menace the hero over the years.

Occasionally one might even become an ally.

There have been times of course when the show wasn't on at all. A long absence of many years in fact. However long this absence lasted the show could never really die, and eventually returned with much fanfare to a new era of popularity, and a new generation of fans. And it's been going strong ever since.

So, answer me this. What show am I talking about? Doctor Who, Or Ultraman?

Not sure? Okay, let me give you a few more clues.

It took a while before we got proper look at the heroes home-world, although a few hints and glimpses were given out over the years. When we finally did see it though, things were perhaps not quite like we expecting. Certainly there was a lot of shiny green architecture.

Speaking of the heroes home-world, how about that time it was nearly destroyed by heroes arch nemesis, an corrupt and evil member of his own race clad in sinister black.

Of course, his mad schemes for power were eventually his downfall, becoming a twisted and monstrous version of his former self.

Oh boy. I never actually realised that Mega Monster Battle was actually the Deadly Assassin. Anyway, moving on.

Of course, whilst the monsters are an integral part of the series appeal, they're not the only villains. Our hero has had to face evil versions of himself on more than one occasion.

Then of course there was that one episode when things got a little more messianic than some people really cared for.

Or maybe you remember the one with the giant plant monster?

Or maybe the one where a previously undiscovered subterranean race seek to conquer the surface world?

Of course, they have a large monster to help them. Then of course there's the one about "Dinosaurs".

Okay, maybe not the finest example, but you have to work with what you've got. Anyway, Our heroes adventures, whilst obviously spending a large amount of time on earth have taken him across Space, Time and even into other Dimensions.

And he's even fought and defeated Vampires! Not just once, but multiple times.

So, now do you have a better idea which series it is I'm talking about?

No. Neither do I.