SF Obscure: 1990

This is a series I’d heard about in rumors, but hadn’t had a chance to see. It was released on DVD in March and came highly recommended. (However, it’s a UK release only as far as I know so borrow or buy a multi-system player) Series 1 and 2 are available.

1990, made in 1977, posits a future Britain run by the Public Control Department (PCD)- an all powerful bureaucracy in which government regulations turn into social control.  A few lone journalists walk a fine line between criticizing the government and being shut down.

It starts with an attempt at a military overthrow in the mid 1980’s in which the state took over.   Emigration, not immigration, is Britain’s biggest problem as those with skilled jobs and higher education seek a life abroad. As such, the PCD makes it extremely difficult to get a travel visa, so an underground system emerges to smuggle people out of Britain. There are also strict labor union codes which basically lock people into jobs; county estates are turned into ‘reeducation centers’ for those who are unemployed or the government thinks needs ‘reforming’; a whole series of codes governing arts, education, journalism, and what language is deemed appropriate.

There is a rather large cast of characters-but I found it to be more of a topical show than an character based show. There is continuing subplot involving spies in the PCD and the PCD infiltrating other organizations. ( A resistance cell?) Some of the discussions can be confusing if you don’t know much about the British political system. It’s a unique show in that it posits a slow slide to dictatorship rather than ‘one evil leader’ and raises uncomfortable questions about limits on speech and personal freedoms worth thinking about in today’s world.  The PCD’s belief that it’s ‘helping’ people when their actions show otherwise makes you question those who think they know ‘what’s good for you’.

1990 is a thinking show…if you want shooting and riots  this is not for you. I found it fascinating. I’m saving my pennies for Series 2. There are also novelizations of the series. Highly recommended.