Inspector Spacetime

*"When you look out at the skies at night, what do you see? Starlight. From millions of stars. And that's just the light that's arrived here at one point in time. You can see every star, every planet, in one point of time, and never get the full picture. So really, the question isn't where... but when."*

-The Eleventh Inspector

"**Inspector Spacetime**" is a popular British science fiction television programme that has been on the air for over fifty years. Created by (Ex) Sir Anthony Bonham Pease, its popularity has grown since its debut in 1962 and it is now a pop Culture icon and has spawned a few spinoffs, merchandise and even what is widely seen as an imitator in *Doctor Who,* though the creators of that show, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright, insist that *Doctor Who* is based on their own experiences.

### **History**

Noted British Science fiction writer (Ex) Sir Anthony Bonham Pease created the show in 1962 as the "Space Race" was heating up. The show follows the adventures of a mysterious being known only as "The Inspector", a time and space travelling alien. The show had low production values, and the first few seasons were broadcast in black and white despite color being available. Green screen was used extensively, but when the budget allowed, a few exterior shoots were done on several recurring locations in London. These often used locales were actually humorously commented on by the main characters. In a breaking the fourth wall moment on the show, the Inspector noted they can go anywhere in time or space, but *"it will probably be in London...during the Blitz"*.

Despite the obvious lack of money, the show soon became a hit and gained even more fame when episodes started being shown abroad. A succession of actors (and one actress) have portrayed an incarnation of the lead character. Each actor wore a variation of the traditional uniform of the Inspector; a trench coat, an ascot, and a hat (typically a bowler hat). Each Inspector has a partner named a "Constable" and is equipped with a "**Quantum Spanner**" device. They travelled in a spaceship/time machine known as the "X-7 Dimensionizer"(also called a DARSIT in the first episode). Its appearance is that of a red telephone box, an item closely associated with the show's country of origin. Over the years, the Inspector and his Constable have encountered a host of opponents including the Inspector's most infamous foes, the race of cyborgs known as the "Blorgons".

A notable replacement for the main character was the first, and so far only, female lead **Minerva**. Minerva was the second Inspector, the show having introduced the concept of renewal into new bodies to allow the original actor to leave.

She was created in the shadow of the second wave feminist movement that was gaining momentum in the late '60s and early '70s. However, it was hard to overcome the prevailing social attitudes of the times. In addition, some fans found Minerva (and her actress) to be quite annoying. Consequently, she is often considered by a majority of fans to be the worst Inspector ever. Recently there has been a vocal minority of fans who see her character as a trailblazer and an important step in equality for actresses in lead roles. They consider her a role model for girls and also a forebearer of female action adventure heroes like Buffy and Xena. Despite this, the very word "Minerva" has become slang amongst the Inspector Spacetime fandom to refer to a disagreeable female.

The 1970s began with a behind the scenes scandal. Linda McCartney was on set and the actors playing the Inspector and Constable fought over her attention. It ended up with third Inspector's portrayer choking the actor who played the constable. Despite the bad publicity, the show's popularity remained strong. In order to keep things fresh, a few status changing ideas were introduced to shake things up creatively. This included replacing the X-7 Dimensionizer with the "**HMS Spacetime 12**" and the introduction of a female Constable known as "**Geneva**". Fans reacted negatively to most of the changes, particularly the loss of the X-7 since it had become an icon of the show. Some of the new cast was met with equal disdain, even by the production staff. This was demonstrated when, for an entire season, the writers only gave three lines to an actress hired to play the character known as "**Constable Rosemund**".

By the 1980s, all the changes had been reverted, and the X-7 was brought back. Yet another Inspector and Constable were introduced. However, the decline creatively continued and culminated in the infamous 1981 "**Inspector Spacetime Christmas Special**". The story involved the Inspector and Constable Reggie celebrating a space holiday known as "**Time Day**". Fan and critical reaction were extremely negative, particularly since the episode featured a performance of a then popular hair metal band. It was so horrible that the creator Anthony Bonham Pease, who had just been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, had his knighthood immediately revoked. Although it was hated at the time, fans have grudgingly given the special its due and regard it with a bit more respect years later. While the episode itself was bad, it helped set up one of the most critically praised story arcs in the show's history.

The series went into the 1990s with the continuing turnover in both cast and crew. While it seemed to be in the doldrums, that would soon change. The advent of the internet would help not only reinvigorate its popularity but also stimulate it creatively. By the 2000s, earlier episodes became available for streaming online and created a new generation of fans. This renewed interest caught the attention of Hollywood producers. They decided to recycle the franchise as they did with other shows. With its newfound popularity, an American version of "Inspector Spacetime" was commissioned in 2012. The test pilot was directed by Tristram Shapeero and written by Maggie Bandur. It was entitled "**Epochs of Eternity**", and for the most part, it remained true to the spirit of the original program.

The studio decided it needed further tweaking and sent the pilot out to the various Inspector Spacetime conventions where it received some negative feedback from fans. The InSpecTiCon convention in Colorado was said to be where most of the criticisms of the pilot originated from. One particular volunteer offered a number of suggestions and notes on how to improve the show. Most of these ideas were incorporated into a second pilot. The setting was changed from England to San Francisco, and the X-7 was replaced with an American telephone booth. The "Inspector" was now a naval officer being played by Luke Perry, and his Constable (now "Ensign") was played by Jennie Garth . The "Americanized" version of the show was met with as much derision from the fandom as the Christmas special. However, this has not affected the original show which is still enjoying something of a renaissance.