Down the Line: a Secret Army podcast

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

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

This week AJ and Andy explore the filmic second episode of Secret Army: Sergeant on the Run. This leads them to consider the unique directorial style of Latvian-born Viktors Ritelis with his penchant for metaphor and stark European realism. They also discuss how this episode might have placed better later in the run due to its focus on a guest character - Sergeant Walker played by Martin Burrows - as opposed to the series regulars, some of whom we are still being introduced to, such as cycle shop owner Jacques Bol.
AJ prompts Andy to considers why gay men might be drawn to the series female characters and also wonders if the relationship between Albert and Monique might have only been a 'night-time encounter' had it not been for the war.
Andy also reads from, series advisor, Bill Randle's account of his wartime evasion adventures in Brussels which directly inspired some of Sergeant Walker's scenes in this episode. 
The episode ends with nostalgic reflections from Secret Army fan Joanne Lee who remembers watching the series while at school in Brussels. 
If you would like to get involved in the podcast, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 3: Radishes with Butter

In this special bonus interview AJ speaks with Secret Army's principal designer Austin Ruddy who created all the key sets for the series including all the Candide interiors, the German offices at the Avenue Louise, and the Colbert family home.  Ruddy describes how he became a TV production designer and his memories of working on Secret Army.
If you enjoyed this bonus episode you might like to donate to Austin Ruddy's chosen charity: The Salvation Army food bank in Ripon, Yorkshire: https://www.givefood.org.uk/needs/at/salvation-army/ripon/ (or: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/ripon)

This week your hosts, AJ and Andy, talk a little more about the inception of the series, specifically the contribution of creator (uncredited) and producer Gerard (Gerry) Glaister) and script editor and writer John Brason, as well as reviewing the first episode: Lisa - Code Name Yvette, written by Willis Hall and directed by Kenneth Ives. 
Hall had the unenviable task of writing an opening instalment that had to introduce a huge number of characters as well as setting the scene for the style and approach of the series. Was he successful? Or was it an impossible task? 
We also hear from Ryan as he watches Secret Army for the very first time.
Don't miss AJ's interview with Secret Army's principal designer Austin Ruddy, also published today.
If you would like to get involved in the podcast, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 2: Sergeant on the Run

Introducing 'Down the Line' a new podcast exploring, reviewing and celebrating the classic BBC wartime series Secret Army.
In this special introductory episode your hosts, Andy and AJ describe what their new podcast will include and why they love Secret Army. 
New episodes will be available every 2 weeks and will explore every instalment in depth. Along the way there will be bonus interviews with cast and crew members too!
If you would like to get involved, get in touch at @secretarmypod on Twitter or secretarmypod@gmail.com.
Next Time... Episode 1: Lisa - Code Name Yvette