The series was Martin's first British role in fifteen years, and was considered to be a "rare misfire" for creator Banks Stewart (who described this series as "a light-hearted thriller"),[2] whose previous series Bergerac and Lovejoy had enjoyed significant success on British television.[3]
Despite reports that the BBC had already commissioned a second series prior to the first series being broadcast, only thirteen episodes were made and the series was swiftly axed due to poor ratings, despite airing in a primetime Saturday evening slot.[4] To date, the series has only been repeated once on Satellite TV, and has never been released on DVD.
Premise
The series starred Millicent Martin as clairvoyant and astrologer Gladys Moon, whose ability is more instinctive than psychic and John Michie as her psychic son, Trevor, who travel between Folkestone, England and France, conducting readings and selling occult and astrological goods from their mobile "Astral Centre Salon" called "Visions" and getting involved in various police investigations along the way.[5]
Background
Alongside Martin and Michie, Laure Killing co-starred as Cecille Coulmier, Trevor's girlfriend. Other characters include the zany Zelda, a medium friend of Gladys' played by Anita Graham, Sergeant Eavis, played by Ian Redford, and Inspector Sardou, played by Patrick Drury.
Christine Buttner of Ravensbourne University London acted as astrological adviser to the programme, emphasising the astrological elements of the storyline, with crystal balls, phrenological heads, hand reading and healing crystals.[8]
A young microlight flyer finds a Roman silver plate, complete with astrological signs on its rim, and takes it to Gladys for an expert opinion. But then Cecile sees a ghost and Gladys finds herself in danger, as the Moons uncover a tragic tale of recklessness and evil on a tranquil Kent hillside.
Trevor's determination to help the police catch a strangler begins to seem like an obsession. But one of the intended victims is Cecile, and the killer is closer to home than anyone thinks.
Other people's guilty secrets can prove a risky business for clairvoyants, especially if someone mentions murder. An old lady in a nursing home sends Gladys on an unexpected journey, and Trevor helps the police to lay an extremely unorthodox trap.
7
"A Foreign Body"
Gawn Grainger
Moira Armstrong
15 February 1992 (1992-02-15)
A young woman is found dead in the boot of a car belonging to Euro-MP Howard Garvie. Gladys takes a palm print to help the police solve the riddle of the victim's identity, and the murder trail leads to France and the infamous Chateau Salubre, playground of the rich.
8
"Her Death Was So Sudden"
Robert Banks Stewart
Paul Harrison
22 February 1992 (1992-02-22)
A honeymoon couple are amused when Gladys reads the runes for them, but the promise of a happy future soon turns into a nightmare.
9
"Past, Present and Future"
Stephen Mayne
Ken Grieve
29 February 1992 (1992-02-29)
Gladys and Trevor are determined to help the servants in a stately home whose employer has died, leaving them only the ghost of a chance of finding a will that could repay their devotion.
10
"Music in the Air"
Colin Giffin
Paul Harrison
7 March 1992 (1992-03-07)
The Moons are asked to probe the background of a gentle south coast faith healer, when he claims that John Lennon is using him to produce a string of new pop songs. The compositions could spell a fortune for charity and the record industry alike, but tragedy hovers over the new album.
11
"The Chinese Medicine Man"
Nick McCarty
Henry Herbert
14 March 1992 (1992-03-14)
When Martin Shan, a popular south coast doctor, comes under suspicion of theft and murder, Trevor tries a little oriental sorcery of his own.
12
"The Place of Cold Fires"
Leslie Darbon
Henry Herbert
21 March 1992 (1992-03-21)
Eavis suspects the Moons are working outside the law when a Foreign Legionnaire's return to Folkestone sparks off a hunt for stolen diamonds.
13
"S.O.S. From A Gemini"
Alan Goldstreet
Roger Tucker
28 March 1992 (1992-03-28)
A child hears a strange song, and danger threatens Gladys and Trevor as they help a young English couple who believe that ghosts from a far-off tragedy are haunting their newly acquired farmhouse.
