Series 4

The volta, or "turn," in poetry is a rhetorical shift in argument, tone, or emotion, which is frequently signaled by transition words, most notably "but"... This shift is particularly prevalent in sonnets, where it serves as a crucial hinge point — often marking the transition... or introducing the final couplet. I don't suppose many children would've thought of this (if it was even intended), either in the studio or at home watching.

The 'crouching on the floor' idea came from the production team through Pickle's direction, not us (undoubtedly to make it more exciting). Otherwise, we'd probably just have moved Giles laterally, which would've been slicker and less complicated than him thinking he needed to crouch down again each time (which, of course, wasn't necessary at all).

It seems like it to me, yes.

This is really interesting. I’ve genuinely been wondering about it ever since it was first broadcast. I remember becoming convinced at the time (or maybe a couple of years later during a rewatch) that the BUT spell would have magically summoned a goat that would run at Mogdred and headbut him off the screen. This makes much more sense.

Hi everyone, Just a couple of qualifications: we did not audition as early as 1988. Also, I did say we failed the first take of the Block and Tackle, but I think it is important also to bear in mind the context: that Giles's enthusiastic four large steps took him extremely close to where the floor began to fall away - whereas some teams earlier in the series started on the right hand side, right near the front of the chamber. Best wishes, Brett

I'd never really noticed before but Helen certainly snatched that grub quickly at the level 2 clue table, before Gundrada could take any more. She wasn't always the most proactive dungeoneer, but she certainly didn't wait to be told there.

Yeah, so basically: Avoid the left side (which you would do anyway). The back-most bottom block slides once. But that's only going to be a problem if you're in front of it. The front-most bottom block also slides once. But again, it would be instant death and since that's where you start, it would only ever kill you if they were actively trying to kill you at that point. So I'm not sure that depth into the room gives an advantage. But left/right probably does.

A terrible question. Inclusion of the word "most" (a rather subjective term) in a true or false question is bad form too. Unless a young child is expected to have studied every dictionary ever published and know the placement of a certain word in over 50% of them. They don't need to go to such extremes, they just need to use initiative and work out that a word which has aa at the start is going to be first in most dictionaries (we can also safely assume we are talking about English dictionaries given we are dealing with English people). The problem is the first word in an English dictionary is "a", not "aardvark", so technically "false" was the correct answer. The question should have added the condition word with multiple letters.

Was it generally a slower pace? Yes, but I also feel in some ways it was perhaps more 'in depth' than previous series. I think you have summed up what I have struggled to say for years about my mixed Series 4 feelings. I like it. I like it from a nostalgic point of view. And I still like it now for the atmosphere and feel of the dungeon. I like the ruined castles and outdoor locations. I like the mix of characters and the beginning of more plot-focussed quests (albeit still in its very early stages here). But man, that SLOWNESS. It's SOOOO slow. And not just that, the QUIETNESS! The introduction of that atmospheric background music in S6 was a much-needed brainwave of someone's. And then there's the REPETATIVE-NESS. Three major flaws that really detract from an otherwise great series. It's such a shame for me that a series which I love so much for SOME things, is ruined by those awful eyeshield sequences. We get it. It shows us the dungeoneer moving through the forest from place to place in a way that otherwise would be impossible to show. That's totally fine and a good idea. But do we really need (what feels like) 2 whole minutes of footsteps going up a path? Couldn't they have been shorter? Couldn't they have been quicker? Let alone the exact same sequence every time a new dungeoneer comes along. (Just for clarity, all these questions are rhetorical. I understand the reasons why things were done. This is simply my 2022 opinion and frustrations on the subject).

Perceptive as ever, Drassil (about Brother Mace, I mean)! Possibly one of the last significant maneuvering errors in this episode? Similar to the quicksand in Series 3, Team 1. We were quite determined not to get caught out by series 1-3 maneuvering errors in our adventure (in series 4), and series 5-8 seemed to have had far less of them altogether, if I recall correctly.

One thing I like in the closing moments of the scene is the inimitable Hugo Myatt saying my first name in the team's farewell. Given it's a rare one it has the almost feeling of being addressed directly by the great man himself.

I've now noticed that Mistress Goody (or someone in her costume) appears in the Crazed Heifer in all three of its Series 4 appearances. In Dickon's quest, Motley says a member of the Opposition put him in the pillory for telling a saucy joke about "the three Assassins and the sorceress". Earlier in the episode he appears to be telling jokes to Mistress Goody in the background of the Crazed Heifer scene, so I like to think she's the one who took offence!

I've learned never to be sure of anything anymore, and taking a look at those three close-ups I have to admit the one with Alastair's feet is indeed different feet from the other two. I always thought they were all the same shot, and now I think that's probably because of the kind of screen-roll effect (weird bit with a black line) at the top of both Alastair's and Giles's shots, and I always thought Dickon's had this too, but it doesn't. As far as I can see, there is actually a sure-fire way to distinguish between the three of them: Alastair: Alastair's feet with weird black line. Dickon: Dickon's feet with no black line. Giles: Dickon's feet with weird black line. It feels good to come to terms with all that after more than 30 years of watching Series 4.

Haha, Olaf would probably have hit himself on the head with his club. Ah! The bumptings and the tumptings on the head of course!

These knightmare baddies remind me of Bond villains. Instead of taking an immediate opportunity for a face-to-face guarenteed killing of the hero, they come up with an over-complex method which has a significant chance of failing, purely because of their need to gloat.

Thanks for the compliments regarding the documentary, Morghanna. Glad you enjoyed it.

In the days of the caption competition this one would have me submitting: "I'm confused Gundrada, you said you were going to show me your slash and all I get to see is some lousy swordplay!"

Yes, that would fit Fatilla's words best. I like the idea of plot references to things yet to be seen.

Team 6 continued to do well and their quest picked-up the pace in this episode. First they released Motley from the stocks. (Apparently it was his turn this time round.) *We can surmise that the sorceress in Motley's joke was not Morghanna. Something far worse than being put in the stocks would have happened to him if it had been. * Did very well against Doorkis, another 3/3 and their questions were not the easiest. They encountered Gundrada. Motley scarpered after some ill-advised remarks, but the team talked Gundrada into helping them. They reached ariadne's lair and fortunately ariadne pursued Gundrada rather than Dickon, enabling them to take the food & the silver and escape. Next-up was Brother Mace. A great scene where Dickon uses much initiative to persuade him to drink the fake brandy! Mace was turned into a giant reptile. (Thankfully it was not permanent.) Used the silver to pay the ferryman for the river crossing and then descended to steps to level 3. The advisors worked-out the transporter pads nicely. I assumed the clapping was Pickle. (and possibly Treguard) Reached the clue-room just as time-arrived yet again. As others have said, at times Dickon had the helmet of justice tipped back somewhat.

Ah, you learn something new every day. Thanks for the correction.