Conversations with the Dead (TV story)

***Conversations with the Dead*** was the second episode of first series of *Star Cops*, written by Chris Boucher and directed by Christopher Baker. It was broadcast on BBC 2 on 13 July 1987. It introduced Trevor Cooper as a hopeless police officer, who is taken on by Nathan Spring.

## Synopsis

Nathan Spring's lover has been brutally murdered. A space ship is careering out of control, unable to break. Absolutely heartbroken and powerless to interfere, Spring must watch as a bumbling, careless police officer handles his lover's murder case. Meanwhile, from the new Moonbase office, Theroux must investigate this ship - its seemingly infallable computer, its two famous pilots, and its mysterious cargo.

## Plot

The space craft Daedalus is having trouble in space. A crew emember, Lara, warns pilot Mike to wake up because of machine failure, but he dismisses her. Later, on the Charles de Gaulle, the traffic controller informs Inspector David Theroux that the Daedalus had a suspected engine failure, resulting in the deaths of the crew. Theroux does not want Commander Nathan Spring to hear all of the details until the case is closed. Spring awakens to the WWBC News continuing its ongoing report into the refusal of the United States to allow an inspection on its unmanned station. According to the news, all major space powers to launch formal protests in Geneva. Spring turns it off.

Theroux attempts to help Spring eat breakfast, but a disoriented Spring accidentally lets it float away. He laments that he's not getting used to the weightlessness. Theroux leaves a stubborn Spring to fumble his way out of bed. Later in the control room, Theroux is talking again with the traffic controller, stating that Spring wouldn't want to know the details of the Daedalus. From behind him, Spring has been listening but is focusing more on making his way safely to his desk. He then brings up Theroux's conversation with the traffic controller again, asking for its meaning. Theroux tells him about the Daedalus investigation. Spring doesn't like Theroux's "cop speak" that the very much alive crew is "dead", but Theroux explains that they have limited oxygen supply, leading Spring to accept his judgement. Upon receiving advice from Box to find an environment with gravity to relieve his nausea, Theroux reminds Spring that there is an office on Moonbase that he may wish to use. He calls the ESL and asks for transportation to the Moon.

In Spring's apartment, Lee Jones enters and is faced with a message on his answer phone. She informs it that all messages for Nathan Spring are to be rerouted to the Charles de Gaulle. The answer phone insists that the message is for Lee Jones, to her surprise. She approves the message but is astonished to find it so securely stored, even assuming it to perhaps be a practical joke from Spring. The message reads: "From: Nathan Spring. To: Lee Jones. Your life is in danger. Stay where you are. Under no circumstances must you leave. [...]" At that point, all the lights shut off. From the Entry Lift comes an unknown person. Jones comes to the landing, hoping for it to be Spring. The man then approaches her, whispering the message fanatically. In their struggle, he kills her.

Later, in the apartment, a devastated Spring watches as a medical pod carries Jones' body away. A smarmy police officer is at Spring's view screen. The officer, Colin Devis, immediately points the finger at Spring, seeing as his name was attached to the message. Spring states that he doesn't have an account with Unicom so the message couldn't be from him. Sergeant Corman suggests that they should allow him some time to grieve, rather than go all guns blazing so soon. Spring jumps in and states that he doesn't think this was random. He doesn't understand how such a careful plan could be done so carelessly. He is disappointed to hear Devis tell him he won't be a part of the investigation. Devis puts him in his place, calling him a "glory boy up there" but an "ordinary citizen down here".

The Daedalus continues to drift through space. Pilot Mike informs Theroux that their checks are done and everything appears faultless. As their conversation continues, a moon shuttle rolls over the horizon towards Moonbase. The traffic controller tells Mike that the decision to "wait it out" or not lies only with the two of them. On the Moon, Theroux comes under fire from the Base Coordinator Professor Paton, who Fox states is pathetic. He goes onto slate the Star Cops for being stupid. Gina Siccini seems to think that Fox and Mike were friends, and Mike and Lara were lovers.

During Theroux's report with Spring, Spring just isn't buying the engine failure. He asks about the current accommodation, to which Theroux responds positively. Spring decides once and for all that Star Cops will be moving there. He explains just how cretinous he finds the Lee Jones' investigator, Devis, to which Theroux jokes that he sounds like Star Cops material. Reaching his boiling point, Spring asks Theroux to keep in touch before ending their conversation. He asks Box to book his usual table at the Lotus Garden. Box asks whether he should inform Lee Jones, to which Spring explains that she is dead. Box updates him that there are one hundred names still on the list for her murder. Nathan stands before Box, tears rolling down his face.

At the Lotus Garden, Spring recalls his last conversastion with Jones at the restaurant. He remembers how she told him she hated the place, which adds to his guilt. Spring is drinking his sorrows away. He is interrupted by Sergeant Corman, who says that this was the first place she chose to look for him. He tells her about how oblivious he was to her hatred for the place before necking a shot. He learns that Corman requires advice. She informs that they have been monitoring their computers and are aware of him accessing their databases. She expresses her similar thoughts to Spring about the case not being so simple. Spring states that no professional killer would just leave all of those loose ends. She informs him that Devis is unaware of her being here. She says that she's growing tired of being told what to do by people more stupid than she is.

On Moonbase, Theroux is clearing out what will become the new ISPF office. Fox enters asking what is was that Theroux wanted to ask him. Theroux wanted an explanation for a quote he used before: "The only design fault on that ship won't be investigated at all". Upon receiving no answer, he reminds Fox that being charged with anything is pretty much game over for a career on Moonbase. Fox is of the opinion that the Star Cops don't have the jurisdiction quite yet, leaving Theroux to point out that they're pretty much there already. Fox explains simply that the enamored crew of the Daedalus was against protocols. He explains that when you mix personal life with professional life, you get mistakes.

WWBC News is once again reporting the unmanned station as Spring drinks his pain away. It also reports that the European Space Colonisation Bureau are denying rumours that due to the incident with the Daedalus cargo ship, that the Martian colony will run dangerously short of vital stores. Spring turns off the news. He then reports a message reading: "To: Nathan Spring. From: No Name Registered. Lee Jones has been dealt with. You are next. You're next." He orders Box to trace the message. Box explains that the message was sent one hour ago with a delayed relay from a public access booth, and that it was charged to his account. The lights then switch off. He arms himself. Box informs him that the lift is on its way up. When the lift doors open, he finds it empty. The lights switch back on. A call comes through stating that they know who kiilled Lee Jones. The voice wishes to meet him at Chiswick Park within 15 minutes. After the message ends, Box tells him that the call was charged to Ploughman Electronics, which makes Spring order Box to find out every piece of information about their staff.

In the new ISPF office, Professor Paton comes to see Theroux. Paton explains to Theroux that there is another solution to the Daedalus situation. The crew could divert the trajectory of their flight just enough so that eventually it would return into their system. Meanwhile, the crew could use his own equipment to place themselves in suspended animation. He states that technology is only experimental. Meanwhile, in Chiswick Park, Spring awaits his meeting. A strange character on rollerskates rolls up to him but rolls off when Spring tells them to scram. But the rollerskater continues to roll around him, playing mind games. Upon threatening to arrest the rollerskater, Spring is attacked and lands on the floor. As the rollerskater is about to make their final blow, someone comes from the darkness and knocks them unconscious.

Confused, Spring calls out, demanding they reveal their identity. The voice from before belongs to his rescuer. The voice explains that the rollerskater is something known as an "Urban Apache". The voice claims to be the one who killed Lee Jones. As the voice steps from the shadows, Corman shows up and shoots him. Spring joins her in firing at the man, but he gets away. Disoriented, Spring demands that the area is cordoned off for forensics. Back on Moonbase, Gina Succini hands the crew and Theroux the projections, explaining that the release of air from the Daedalus can successfully alter their trajectory if done so in the next twelve hours. The crew discusses how the person who successfully creates a working suspended animation pod will be famous indeed, leaving Paton to wonder.

On the Daedalus, Mike understands the mission and uncovers the stasis pods, stating they remind him of coffins. Back in Spring's apartment, Devis is admonishing Spring severely for falling for the bait. Devis informs Spring that the forensic investigation has been called off due to limited funds. Devis states that the computer gave the case a "double F", meaning that it doesn't require further investigation. Devis starts to wind Spring up almost to the verge of tears, as he suggests that he flounced his way into Star Cops. Spring stop him in his tracks, asking him to help himself to a drink. As Devis helps himself, Spring explains that the assailant claimed to have murdered Lee Jones. Devis pours them both a glass and suggets that if someone is playing a game with Spring, then maybe a draw is the best outcome. Spring makes it clear that since he is no longer required, he will return to work out in space.

In the office, Theroux is explaining to Spring that due to the Daedalus not being able to allow the airlocks to just open in space, the crew set a timed delay explosive to aid the air release. ISPF and the Moonbase crew only know that the trajectory is fine, but what they don't know is whether Mike and Lara survived. It is forecasted that they will find out in around eight years. Spring congratulates Theroux on his work. As Spring tries to get to grips with Lee Jones' murder, Coordinator Paton enters. Spring gets Paton to sit down and presents him with the Brussels Accord on Animal and Human Experimentation. Theroux explains that they are aware that Paton was refused a licence for human experimentation. Paton claims that this wasn't an experiment, rather an emergeny, but Spring displays disbelief. Theroux continues this train of thought, putting it to Paton that the ship didn't go rogue, the computer was tampered with. Whoever did it would have total access to the computer that controlled the ship and the cargo manifest. Paton claims this to be ridiculous, to which Spring retorts that it's just as ridiculous as needing to send cryogenic pods to a Mars facility.

Paton explains that after his tour on Moonbase, he was planning to go to Mars. Spring states that he checked in the the Mars colony and no-one is expecting him. Theroux then continues to say that he must have panicked at the eleventh hour when no-one thought of the rescue plan, and had to suggest it himself. Paton speculates that if they are correct, no-one has been hurt. Spring makes him fully aware that if the crew of Daedalus are found dead, he will be charged with murder. Even if they survive, the crew would most likely bring about a civil suit against Paton, which would be fully supported by Spring. As Paton goes to leave, Spring promises that they will prove his guilt. Paton then comes face-to-face with Spring, threatening that if he follows this enquiry, his reputation and his career are over due to his influence. Before Paton can leave, Spring quips that Paton should inform the ISPF of any journeys he plans to make within the next eight years.

At that, the duty controller of the Charles de Gaulle speaks on their view screen, informing them of a situation. She informs them of an authorised person in the Star Cops office, who is refusing to leave. Upon investigating in person, Spring and Theroux find Corman. She claims that she has followed the killer to this location. She claims that the killer, who calls himself John Smith, has followed Spring to the space station. According to Corman, Smith was a former engineer in space before being busted by a Moonbase Star Cop. Despite being aquitted, Smith still lost his career, hence why he's trying to kill Spring.

With Corman out of the room, Theroux claims that Corman is lying. He points out that there weren't any Moonbase ISPF officers before a few days ago. As Smith races off in a space shuttle, another shuttle is prepared for the two officers to pursue. Before leaving for the shuttle, Spring mysteriously asks the traffic controller for a favour. In Euro Shuttle Five, Spring, Theroux and Corman are looking for Smith. They soon spot Smith heading for the unmanned American station. Spring tells Theroux to stop the shuttle, refusing to go any further. Spring then has a revelation. He knows that if Smith lands at that space station, the Star Cops will go in after him. Spring states that even if they went in there, the ISPF are neutral, meaning the Americans would be unable to reprimand them. He turns to Corman and asks her if he's right.

It becomes clear to Spring that upon arrest, Smith would speak publically about everything he's seen inside the space station. Spring brings up the calls being charged to Ploughman Electronics, which Corman claims to be a cover organisation for the Russians. Spring is aware of this story, as Box had previously mentioned it too. He understands fully well that Smith, as well as Corman, is a British spy, allowing the Russians to take the blame from the Americans while the British walk away with the secrets. She makes it fully clear that she outranks both of them, and demands them to continue their course. Spring gives Theroux the go-ahead but Theroux refuses. Theroux soon succumbs to Spring's wishes and he proceeds.

As Smith's shuttle moves closer, it blows into a ball of flame, not to Spring's surprise. Corman is confused, how would the Americans know that Smith was a crazed psychopath? Spring explains quite simply that he told them. He sent a message through the duty controller asking the American authorities to stop Smith at all costs. Spring is full of remorse and tells them that he has killed three men since he started his new career. Corman pushes for them to take her to the station to learn about its secrets but Spring is prepared to get out of his seat and kill her with his bare hands after hearing her state that Lee Jones had to die for this operation. Theroux manages to subdue him. He tells Theroux to take them home. Theroux tells Spring that he could order him to execute Corman, stating he has no principles.

In a graveyard, Colin Devis joins Nathan Spring at Lee Jones' grave. Spring is confused as to why Devis is here. Devis states quite simply that he was looking for Spring. Devis apologises earnestly for not knowing Corman's true intentions. Spring attempts to make him feel better by telling him that he also didn't notice it. Devis finally realises that he had been placed on this specific case because he's "thick". The two of them can't grasp why they could so easily take Lee's life for this end goal. Devis claims he's going to try throwing every sentence he can at them. Spring tells him it'll cost him his job, but Devis already knows that. He turns to Spring and asks whether he'd be willing to give him a job. As the two of them leave the cemetary, Devis cracks a joke to lighten the mood.

## Cast

* Nathan Spring - David Calder
* David Theroux - Erick Ray Evans
* Colin Devis - Trevor Cooper
* Lee Jones - Gennie Nevinson
* Corman - Sian Webber
* Paton - Alan Downer
* Fox - Sean Scanlan
* Gina - Carmen Gomez
* John Smith - Benny Young
* Traffic controller - Deborah Manship
* Mike - Richard Ireson
* Lara - Rosie Kerslake

## Crew

* Stunt arranger - Gareth Milne
* Series devised by - Chris Boucher
* Production Associate - Ian R. Wallace
* Production Manager - Gary Downie
* Production Assistant - Karen Jones
* Assistant Floor Manager - Betsan Morris-Evans
* Video Effects Supervisor - Robin Lobb
* Visual Effects Designers - Mike Kelt, Malcolm James
* O.B. Cameraman - Trevor Wimlett
* O.B. Lighting - John Wiggins
* O.B. Sound - Ian Leiper
* Technical Co-ordinator - Peter Granger
* Studio Camera Supervisor - Garth Tucker
* Graphic Design - Charles McGhie
* Properties Buyer - Chris Ferriday
* Videotape Editor - Dennis Collett
* Vision Mixer - Jim Stephens
* Studio Lighting - Chris Townsend
* Studio Sound - Chick Anthony, Richard Chubb
* Costume Designer - Lynda Woodfield
* Make-Up Designer - Jill Hagger
* Theme composed and sung by - Justin Hayward
* Incidental Music - Justin Hayward, Tony Visconti
* Script Editor - Joanna Willett
* Designer - Dick Coles
* Producer - Evgeny Gridneff
* Director - Christopher Baker

## References

* WWBC News reports on the United States continued refusal of an inspection on their unmanned station.
* Unicom was a Secure Communications Link that was fitted in some of the more modern households. It was able to act as a simple answer phone as well as being able to reroute messages anywhere, including space stations.
* Chief Inspector Colin Devis sees Nathan Spring's ISPF officers as "playing spacemen" but bluntly reminds him that Earth-side, he is just an "ordinary citizen".
* In his discussion to Theroux about the Daedalus, Spring quotes the famous Sherlock Holmes quote: "eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth".
* Colin Devis seems unmoved by the death of the Urban Apache. He doesn't even count it as murder.
* Theroux wears a "Michigan Wolverines" t-shirt.
* Apparently, forensic investigations for murder enquiries is classed as Category A. The police force doesn't see Spring's attack at Chiswick Park as falling into this category, therefore no investigation takes place.
* Computers assign a "double F" to cases that it deems do not require further investigation.
* Anyone working space-side is referred to as a "high frontier", if Theroux's lingo is anything to go by.

## Story notes

* The version of Colin Devis we see in this story seems to be written almost as the antithesis of the version we are used to in other episodes. The cuddly Colin that we are used to throughout the series is callous, uncaring and very crude in this episode.
* The title of the episode works in two ways. You could see it very simply as Nathan's regrets towards how he let his own professional life swamp Lee Jones, literally to the point of replaying their last conversation together at the Lotus Garden. Or you could also apply it to the crew of the Daedalus, who are being spoken to by the ISPF officers and Moonbase crew. Despite being very much alive, Theroux refers to both Mike and Lara as "dead", since their oxygen will run out far sooner than their ship will stop moving.
* We are introduced to two important sections of the Moonbase: the ISPF office, and the Gallery.
* Theroux wearing a Michigan Wolverines t-shirt may indicate that he is an alumni of the Univerity of Michigan.

## Continuity

* The previous traffic controller, Stephenson, has been replaced by a new one. Stephenson had previously been arrested for his involvement in the spacesuit malfunction murders. (TV: *An Instinct for Murder*)
* Nathan Spring is still struggling with weightlessness. (TV: *An Instinct for Murder*) Much later in his career, during the Moonbase Killings, he remembers how useless he has always been without gravity. (AUDIO: *Sins of the Father*)
* Colin Devis' lack of sympathy regarding the murder of the Urban Apache is something that Spring doesn't appreciate. Despite his education during his time as a Star Cops inspector, Devis would later show similar disregard to artificial lifeforms, refusing to accept that they have a soul. (AUDIO: *Sins of the Father*)
* Devis states that the forensic investigation has been called off due to funding issues. Similar funding issues caused Commander Gerard to deny Spring's request for a proper investigation into the drowning incident. (TV: *An Instinct for Murder*) The idea that Star Cops seem to have money to burn isn't a new one. We see Spring request a Moonbase outpost, which he receives. Later in his career, similar would happen on Mars. (AUDIO: *The Highest Ground*)
* Nathan Spring shows remorse for having John Smith executed. He states that he has now killed three men. This would include the two space walkers who attempted to murder him in his first Star Cops operation. (TV: *An Instinct for Murder*)

## Home video releases

* In 1991, all episodes of the television series were made available on VHS over three tapes by BBC Video. Later, in 2004, the entire series was released on DVD by Network Video over three discs, which included documentaries and as well as numerous interviews.

## External links

* *Star Cops* on the Internet Movie Database