"Mindgame Trilogy", a new video by Reeltime Productions, follows up on the three characters from "Mindgame".
The first story, "Battlefield", was written by Terrance Dicks and focuses on the Sontaran, Field-Major Sarg. Returning from captivity, Sarg tries to report to its superiors about its alien captor. But the communications equipment is damaged, and Sarg discovers that it is alone in the middle of a battlefield and the Rutans are closing in.
"Prisoner 451" was written by Miles Richardson, who also stars in the story as the Draconian. Imprisoned for subversion, he complains to spy cameras about the events that led up to his imprisonment, betraying, for a Draconian noble, a surprisingly large amount of familiarity with Human literature and drama. But what was his subversion, that it has earned the death penalty?
"Scout Ship", written by Roger Stevens, opens with the human, now named Pilot 6927896, adrift in a damaged ship. With only two hours of life support remaining, can she repair the ship in time?
Those expecting a story similar to "Mindgame" or--as I was-- hoping for a possible exploration of clues dropped in the previous video will be surprised to find a quite different series of stories. These stories are much darker--giving the actors an opportunity for powerful performances--but leaving this viewer rather depressed by the end. There is also a segment on the making of "Mindgame Trilogy" with the interesting title of "The Mismanagement of Mindgame Trilogy". Miles Richardson (the Draconian) puts his own somewhat cynical spin on events, but the behind-the-scenes look at directors Nicholas Briggs and Keith Barnfather in action is interesting.
Sophie Aldred and Miles Richardson return as the human and the Draconian, while John Wadmore (from "Auton", "Republica" and "The Stranger Chronicles") takes on the role of the Sontaran. The entire video is approximately 80 minutes.
Recommended.
"Mindgame Trilogy" is currently available on PAL, but should be available on NTSC soon from Ministry of Sound and Vision, 2457A S. Hiawasse Rd., Suite 135, Orlando FL 327835, 1-888-422-7537, BRITTV@aol.com