Zodiac

Mystery crime series in which a detective uses the skills of an astrologer to help solve the riddles and puzzles of his cases. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but the result was rather tatty and the show had no redeeming features at all. This was a golden opportunity for the lovely but charmed Ms Hempel to move on to a leading role in her acting career, but she obviously has not done her homework here, stunting a series which perhaps could have lasted a couple of seasons in the hands of a keen and hard working young actress?. Its left to the more than reliable Anton Rogers to up the intrigue and try and hold what there is of the show together.

He's a policeman. She's an astrologer. Together they solve crimes, using astrology. The show plays this perfectly straight, and it's usually just shrewd psychological insights into the behaviour of different star-signs. I thought it was great fun but you should probably factor that I fancy Anouska Hempel. And my star-sign.

I never saw this series at the time, nor even heard of it. On reflection I suspect that's because it was probably on at 9pm or later, because one of the joys of it is the dialogue which is definitely adult. Or more accurately, grown-up. By which I mean the characters make references that are naughty (in a playful way) & occasionally swear at a minor level.

It is that dialogue & the chemistry between the two leads that really lifts the series up.

It's hampered by being studio-bound & the astrology/supernatural aspects while fun are really just hokum. Plus they drive a coach and horses through any semblance of police procedure.

BUT I was left with a huge smile on my face, laughed out loud several times and really, really wish more than 6 episodes had been made.

At time of writing (2022) you can get this on DVD and I really recommend it. It ought to be lauded as lost classic!

Despite the other negative reviews concerning this programme, it was one of my favourites that year. I well remember this as being a very gentle comedy/drama, and (again contrary to other comments) considered that the chemistry between the two principal leads worked excellently well. The subtle humour and banter between Rodgers and Hempel made it one of those "will they won't they" scenarios, very much akin to the Steed/Peel coupling in the 1960's Avengers. Certainly for 1974 it was a great tonic and wonderful relief from the grim reality of that year of the Heath Government. A great pity there were no more than the original six episodes. However six was probably the right number and I suspect that more would have meant less, so to speak. Nevertheless I would dearly enjoy seeing them all again, they have truly vanished without trace and there are, for example, no listings at all on ebay from amateur recordists. Indeed, even Wikipedia makes no mention of the series under Anton Rodgers - maybe he was also disappointed and wished to remove any connection with it? Nevertheless, Zodiac has one fan - me!

Detective David Gradley teams up with astrologist Esther Jones, in order to solve an array of crimes.

Such a shame that this show lasted only six episodes, when you compare it to a lot of content from the era, this was wonderfully entertaining, original, and pretty refreshing.

Every episode presents a unique, unusual story, the running thread being astrology, we see Gradley's scepticism challenged by the beautiful, but remarkably talented Esther.

Favourite episode of the lot has to be Saturn's Rewards, that one is so interesting, but every single one of them offers something.

Anouska Hempel and Anton Rodgers are a wonderful duo, they combined incredibly well, and brought out the best in one another.

A great guest cast appear here, including Michele Dotrice, Peter Egan, Michael Gambon, and an awesome performance from Peter Vaughan.

The usual production values of the seventies, I think it looks great, marvellous fashions and cars, and in the first episode, you'll get a glimpse of what they thought the future may look like.

A shame a second series didn't follow, I urge you to get hold of a copy of the DVD, it's well worth seeing.

8/10.