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Anecdotage's avatar

This is one of the best shows ever made and certainly the best show ever made by a showrunner who was later to die in a mysterious plane crash in the Bering Strait. Best of all, the whole thing is free on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKI0HRnDc2Y&list=PLqY0KgzqHL5r4KIUeUOi5eVbgLH8Glwa_

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stewart white's avatar

God, I loved this show when it played on this side of the pond in the late 80s. <sigh> PBS used to do such good in the world.

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Ben Morgan's avatar

A great TV series thanks for highlighting it.

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David Conroy's avatar

Could not be more thrilled to see this. I have touted The Sandbaggers for a long time.

It's a master class in script writing: how to make people root for an unlikeable protagonist (Burnside is a right bastard), how to generate drama from the simple need to make decisions in the face of uncertainty, and how to make a virtue of a low budget - the real "action" is arguing in drab offices (and one fancy office for Wellingham, reflecting where the real power is).

In fact, I love it so much I can't resist a correction:

"In the first episode of series two, Burnside sends Sandbagger One to comfort the grieving parents of a dead Sandbagger."

I'm only going from memory, but I would bet the ranch Willie went out of a sense of obligation as head of section, despite Burnside having told him he would do it - Burnside reminds him of this after the fact.

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Dennis Sherrard's avatar

It is good. Watching it now. The Sandbaggers…

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Adam Reith's avatar

Agree 100%

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Brad Odsen's avatar

Agreed!

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Cameron Fraser's avatar

In my mind, and without question, the best. Thank you fir drawing attention to it.

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Sean Flaherty's avatar

Love that show!

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