UK Mall 1 - Space Patrol - Vol. 4 - Episodes 13-16 [1963]

This fourth volume highlights episodes from the middle of the production and has a pedestrian feel. Often intriguing ideas languish in stories that do little justice for them, and show that the series could have benefited from having more than a single writer.

'The Walking Lake Of Jupiter' is possibly the nadir of the series, with an interesting idea - alien water that makes objects take on a life of their own - that is never really developed, although there are some wonderfully comic scenes.

'Time Stands Still' suffers a similar fate, with Professor Haggarty's theories on time being different in other parts of the universe (a very modern idea) leading to a very humdrum story about art theft.

Things pick up in 'Message From A Star' with the first contact with an alien ouside the solar system and there are some nice dramatic consequences of this, even if the solution is a little too easy.

'The Fires Of Mercury' is an early episode (fans please note the production order isn't followed by the video releases!) and shows the energy and ideas the series possessed when things started. While not the best example, being a little melodramatic in places, it does highlight the scientific and educational aspirations of creator/writer Roberta Leigh.

Probably only true fans will gain anything from this volume. If you're new to 'Space Patrol' try the first volume which introduces everything, or Volume Five, which contains five of the series best episode, to gain a better appreciation of this rare and intriguing series.