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The Telepathic Robot
Synopsis:
Haggarty’s latest invention is a robot that can receive instructions via telepathy. A new robot, Lizzie, joins Galasphere 347 on its latest patrol to test whether it can receive Raeburn’s thoughts over long distances. But as they are diverted to investigate a new planet within the orbit of Mercury, Raeburn falls ill and his feverish thoughts cause the robot to distract the crew, who are mesmerised by the Neptunians. The new planet is their holiday resort, and Dart and his crew become slaves to Tyro. It is up to a recovered Raeburn to see if he can order Lizzie by telepathy to effect a rescue...
Cast
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Captain Larry Dart
Husky
Slim
Colonel Raeburn
Marla
Professor Haggarty
Cassie
Gabbler
Katy/Lizzie/Robot Voices
Professor Zeffer
Tyro
Neptunian
Doctor
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Dick Vosburgh
Ronnie Stevens
Ronnie Stevens
Murray Kash
Ysanne Churchman
Ronnie Stevens
Ysanne Churchman
Libby Morris
Dick Vosburgh
Dick Vosburgh
Libby Morris
Ysanne Churchman
Dick Vosburgh
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And The Moral Is:
• “Beware The Ids That March!” (Yes I know we nicked it from ‘Return To The Forbidden Planet’ but it’s so good we thought it could do with another airing... )
Slimantics:
• To Husky “If you do not cease eating, you will become too obese to remain in Space Patrol.”
Huskyisms:
• To which he replies “Don’t be ninsonsical!”
Raeburnt:
• “I’ve been looking for someone like Katy all my life.” What with the incident of the kissing robot, we’re not surprised...
A Venusian Has...:
• The ability to make house calls on a sick Raeburn.
Riding Along In My Monobile... ‘:
• Raeburn visits Haggarty
‘I’m An Alien!‘:
• Tyro’s aide, when attempting to enforce the orders to the mesmerised Galasphere crew, waves its arms in the air.
Ooh, Bitch...:
• Haggarty to Raeburn “You’re looking as sour as an unripe lemon.”
Continuity:
• Cassie is on vacation on Venus for a month.
• Galasphere 347’s patrol in this episode is to orbit Mercury, three days flight time away.
• Neptune would still appear to be a member of the UGO.
Plot Device:
• Lizzie, but as she got them into the situation it’s only fair she gets them out of it.
Harmony For Strings:
• Lizzie manages to carry out each member of the Galasphere crew differently in its rescue bid.
Haven’t I Seen... ?:
• Tyro’s palace on the new planet was Kolig’s palace
• Not only does Tyro abduct Dart, Husky and Slim - he nicks some of the Galasphere control panels too! They are quite visible, dotted around the environmental area the Galasphere crew work in.
Take A Break:
• Dart and his crew have been enslaved by the Neptunians and are given their orders by Tyro's aide.
"You told me to!
You kept giving me orders to go fishing, and to fight!"
Lizzie explains her odd behavior to Raeburn
For Those Of You Just Joining Us... :
• Slim, as the crew succumbs to hypnosis, recalls that it is like the influence of the Neptunians.
• Mention is made throughout of the Galasphere's electromagnetic shield protecting them.
Astro Viewer Working:
• Katy has a “H’ on its chest (for Haggarty) while Lizzie has a ‘R’ (for Raeburn).
• The Slim puppet seems to be the only one of the crew with closing eyelids in this episode, and this is used to great effect.
• The Neptunians have weaponry. Very big weaponry!
Hoorah!:
• Lizzie, while on Galasphere 347, tries to kiss Husky! It is interesting to speculate whether this is an intentional joke or whether Raeburn is, well... that way inclined! Lose the moustache, dearie - it’s a dead giveaway!
• We also get some new ‘robot’ themes for Lizzie as she attempts to rescue the crew of Galasphere 347.
• There is an additional field effect for Galasphere 347 when it escapes the planet to indicate its electromagnetic shield. The two scenes where the Neptunian fires at the Galasphere, and we see a small explosion bounce of the shield as it departs, are also nicely done.
Boo!:
• The shots in Raeburn’s office where he is introduced to ‘Lizzie’ seem to indicate the window is behind Raeburn’s desk where Marla would normally be.
• The doctor, injecting a bedridden Raeburn with a sedative, seems to miss by a considerable margin!
• The new planet changes in appearance from a rocky surface on approach to having banded clouds on departure.
• As Lizzie walks across the planet set in search of the crew, the shadow of the camera (or something) passes quite visibly across the foreground rocks.
• It is never explained how Haggarty came to develop the telepathic circuits, nor are they referred to again after this.
Computer Central:
• First screened: April 9th 1964 (Associated-Rediffusion London)
• Running time: 24 minutes 48 seconds
• BFCC Classified - 15th July 1999
• VHS - Volume 7
• DVD - Complete Series Box Set, Disk 5
Listings
• London, April 9th 1964:
Professor Haggarty's latest invention, a robot servant, has unexpected qualities, and Dart and his crew soon find out that it can be a perilous companion.
Ready To Lift ?:
A much better episode than those of late, and while Lizzie is very much a ‘deux ex machina’ she is used very effectively and carries much of the story.
 
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