Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast

Episode 9: Too Near Home

There is trouble in Paris and Lisa is about to get in very deep water in nearby Senlis. But when her uncle Gaston finds himself interrogated by Kessler himself it is set to be a dark day for Lifeline. 
As they review Too Near Home, AJ and Andy discuss its writer, master of suspense and spy storytelling - Robert Barr, the reliably distinctive direction of Viktors Ritelis and, thanks to the appearance of Souad Faress as Maria, the hidden history of the people of colour who played key roles as airmen and resistance workers during the war. 
They also find themselves critiquing plot contrivances at the Pontoise Prison and Lifeline communication failures, and due to Jeffrey Holland's presence even singing the theme to 'Oh Dr Beeching'! 
Get your handkerchiefs at the ready because it's time for the once seen, never forgotten, Too Near Home. 
We also hear from Jem Fell (@jemfellpoetry) who remembers the power of Secret Army's title sequence. 
Next Time: A special mid-month episode relating to the Candide. 
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The books that AJ mentions in the episode are:
- Under Fire: Black Britain in Wartime 1939-45 by Stephen Bourne
- The Story of Britain's Black Airmen by K. N. Chimbiri
You may also want to check out:
- Spy Princess: the Life of Noor Inayat Khan by Shrabani Basu

Episode 8: Guilt

This month AJ and Andy review one of their favourite episodes from the first series: Guilt. Naturally, they love the more active role it affords Angela Richards' Monique as she follows Curtis into France to determine if he is a double agent. 
Guilt is of course a continuation of the story begun in Lost Sheep, dealing with the aftermath of the betrayal of Flt. Lt. Peter Romsey and the death of resistance agent Victor. And like the preceding episode, Lost Sheep, it is masterfully penned by N J Crisp and directed by Paul Annett.
Monique aside, AJ and Andy also discuss: 'shelf-cam'; Curtis's high-risk strategy in the narrative (and how it fits with his white male heteronormative fantasy); whether he and Monique should have murdered Dorothy Neville as well as Hugh; and what this episode says about women both in front of and behind the camera.
All this and Ryan enjoys three different 'mission hats'!
Next Time: Too Near Home

An interview with Christopher Guard (Flt. Lt. Peter Romsey)

We are just too good to you! In this, another special extra edition of Down the Line, AJ catches up with Christopher Guard who played Peter Romsey in Lost Sheep. Chris shares his memories of working on Secret Army and also reflects more broadly on his time working in television in the 70s. He also shares details of his entertaining autobiography: And Then It Was Now, which is available in print and as an ebook: https://amzn.eu/d/3RiEzAb
If you enjoyed this interview please consider donating a sum to Christopher's chosen charity: the World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/ 
Many thanks for listening. We will be back in your ears again on February 3rd when we review the sequel to Lost Sheep: Guilt. 

Episode 7: Lost Sheep

Its a new year and a new time slot! From now on we will be publishing new episodes on the first Saturday of every month. Today, AJ and Andy tackle Lost Sheep, the seventh episode of the first series, which features Christopher Guard as evader Peter Romsey - the Lost Sheep of the title - and Peter Barkworth as writer Hugh Neville.
As well as celebrating the performances and exploring Norman John Crisp's intelligent script, they share stories of location hunting and consider the episode's unfortunate sexist elements.
Also up for discussion are Romsey's sexuality, Barkworth's 1985 drama Late Starter, and the exact specifics of the OBOE bombing system!
Don't miss our special accompanying episode in which AJ interviews the wonderful Christopher Guard. 
Next Time: Guilt

Christmas Special 2023

In a special Christmas episode Andy takes up the editing reins for a change and guides Saint Nicholas's festive sleigh as he and AJ celebrate Secret Army and this podcast with a little help from Albert, Monique, Natalie. Max and a group of Belgian orphans.
As well as reflecting on what they have learned through collaborating and creating together, there's also a fiendish quiz and some entirely reliable Belgian Christmas facts.  
There's also a tale of a French Christmas past from AJ and a snowy Swedish train journey fromAndy. All this and a Secret Army Christmas song that is much less lost than was thought. 
We wish you all a very happy holiday season!
Down the Line will return on 6 January 2024.
Next Time: Lost Sheep

An interview with Angela Richards (Monique Duchamps)

This week AJ interviews Angela Richards who played Monique Duchamps in all three series of Secret Army. Rather than covering her time on Secret Army (as discussed in Andy's 2020 interview with her for his UK TV Drama Podcast - see link below) AJ covers brand new ground with the supremely talented actress and singer. 
Music: For All Our Yesterdays written and performed by Angela Richards
Andy's interview with Angela: (https://soundcloud.com/azuktvdrama/19b-interview-with-angela-richards) 
You can purchase 'An Evening at Le Candide' (Angela's songs from Secret Army including 'For All Our Yesterdays') on CD here (part proceeds go to Angela): http://classictvpress.co.uk/secretarmymusic.htm 
If you would like to donate to Angela's chosen charity visit: http://pdsa.org.uk (donate button in top right hand corner) or phone: 0800 9172509 (lines open 9 to 5 Monday toFriday). When donating quote 'Angela Richards - Secret Army podcast'. 
And don't forget to follow us on social media:Twitter/Instagram: @secretarmypod
Thank you for listening.
AJ and Andy xxx
Next Time: A festive special on Christmas Day!

Episode 6: Growing Up

This time AJ and Andy review Growing Up - the very first episode of Secret Army to go before the cameras back in April 1977. It tells the story of a young Belgian boy - Jean-Paul Dornes played by Max Harris - who discovers and assists a downed airman - Sgt Clfford Howson played by Norman Eshley - with tragic consequences.
Once again the Lifeline regulars (in AJ's head 'The Baker Street Irregulars') are somewhat sidelined as the episode takes a 'Play for Today'-style focus centred around the Dornes family and their small mining town existence which, despite Anna Dornes' naive convictions, cannot escape the war. 
They find much to enjoy in the episode: particularly the performances of Max Harris and Brian Glover, and its careful treatment of grief and bereavement. If anyone listening is currently dealing with bereavement you might choose to skip AJ's recollections of dark times in their life which the episode prompted them to revisit. 
Andy is surprised to find Vivien Merchant and Stanley Lebor among the supporting cast, playing the wonderfully named Mademoiselle Gunet (the teacher) and Pierre Bazin (the shopkeeper) respectively. 
Elsewhere, it falls to Ryan to call out Kessler for his unfair treatment of Brandt, Andy reveals a more significant role for Natalie in the original script, and AJ demands that the production team 'give that woman a hair bobble'!
As the episode draws to a close we hear from Simon Jones who selects a possibly surprising favourite regular character. 
Next Time: Lost Sheep

Episode 5: Second Chance

Today the Down the Line team review the episode that Andy always describes as the start of Secret Army proper: Second Chance. Although it introduces yet more new characters: Hans and Lena, the story has our Lifeline regulars more centre stage and we finally hear Monique sing. It's a tightly plotted piece with a weighty moral dilemma at its absorbing and memorable conclusion.
Elsewhere AJ is disappointed by Rear Gunner Eric Finch's northern-ness and both they and Andy are infuriated by Curtis's sexism. They also have to cause question once again who exactly is the series lead? Is it Lisa, who like her historical counterpart ran the line, or is it Albert? 
Also, AJ is critical of sling technique and, unlike Hans, very pleased not to have taken their name from a gravestone, while Andy wonders why neither of them received invites to the Manon Wedding Party. Both are surprised to discover that Monique has a flat, although they note that it is nothing like as fancy as Natalie's apartment later in the series. What has Natalie been up to?
At the end of the episode we hear from musician Kate Garner @KateGarnerMusic (the daughter of Chas from Chas & Dave - yes really!) who consider the first series to be her sweet spot. 
Next Time: Growing Up
 

Episode 4: Child’s Play

We've reached episode 4 of the first series and Arden Winch's Child's Play. While AJ has beef with Mr Winch, Andy struggles to believe this is directed by Viktors Ritelis. Although both agree that this is not the best episode of Secret Army, due to the sheer amount of exposition and the fact that it takes place down the line away from most of the Lifeline regulars, they still find things to enjoy here: the Chantal sisters for instance and the climactic scenes towards the end of the episode. 
Elswehere, Ryan finds the episode to be much better than he imagined and regular contributor Alex Wilcock makes some excellent observations.
Some of the real life heroes of the Comete Line are examined as we delve into the events that inspired this and other episodes including the fearless Tante Go and basque guide Fiorentino.
If you would like to get involved in the podcast, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 5: Second Chance

Episode 3: Radishes with Butter

This week AJ and Andy tackle the third episode of Secret Army's first series: Radishes with Butter, written by John Brason and directed by Paul Annett. 
It chiefly deals with the Final Solution: the deportation of Jews from Brussels to death camps, via the story of one family - the Schliemanns - who Curtis wants Lifeline to help even though Lisa insists that they cannot get involved.
At Gestapo HQ Brandt and Kessler lock horns over Nazi coffee and some bourbon biscuits, while courtesy of Gaston and his friends we discover that bankers can be the good guys sometimes!
Elsewhere Andy has memories of the late Michael Burrell who played Schliemann and Jan Francis who has never forgotten that rooftop kiss!
First-time watcher Ryan wants to know whether he is meant to like Curtis, while Alex Willcock just outright calls him a dick. Andy and AJ are similarly unimpressed.
The episode ends with memories from Maria Leel who recalls tuning in to Secret Army from the start the first time around and then binge-watching it again when the series was first released on DVD. 
All this and a description of Front Axial Projection!
If you would like to get involved in the podcast, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 4: Child's Play