Classic TV SF: The Tomorrow People

Reviewed by Scott Ross

The Tomorrow People was a 1970’s British sci-fi series which introduced the next evolution of the human race - Homo Superior. The Tomorrow People had telepathic and telekinetic powers. But perhaps their most exciting ability was being able to teleport themselves from one place to another. This process was referred to as jaunting in the series (and actually came from a novel by Alfred Bester called The Stars My Destination, also published under the title Tiger, Tiger).

They operated from a secret base off an old tunnel in the London Underground. They dedicated their time looking for the emergence of other Tomorrow People (the term used is breaking out) as well as saving us plain Homo Sapiens (referred to as saps) from many threats. They were aided by TIM, a talking biotronic computer.

The original series lasted for eight seasons (1973-1979) and enjoyed a brief revival which lasted for 3 seasons (1992-1995) with former Neighbours star Kristian Schmid and Danny John-Jules of Red Dwarf fame.

The leader of the group (John) was the only member to last the entire original series. Departing actors were explained away as representing Earth on the Galactic Trig (which could be likened to a Federation of planets).

There are some gay subtexts in the series. The first is an obvious play on the words Homo Superior. The second is the process of breaking out which could be likened to coming out as a homosexual person. Also, the fact that The Tomorrow People are a small minority who are different to the norm, who would, if ever found out, most likely suffer some form of persecution. Finally, their self-realisation of somehow "being different" occurs sometime around their onset of puberty.

Slaves of Jedikiah - the first story in the Tomorrow People The TP series is now coming out on DVD. Plans are underway to release the complete original series on DVD. The first 2 seasons have already been released.

Where can you get them
In Australia, you can find them at HMV and JB HiFi (for approximately $35). I am sure that you should be able to find them in other DVD shops and on-line.

You can order them from the UK at:
www.bigfinish.com
www.blackstar.co.uk

Blackstar appears to be the cheapest (prices do vary) whereas Big Finish sells them for a flat rate of £17.50 (including postage). Big Finish also supply the new TP audios.

References:
Most information appearing here was sourced from: The Sci-Fi Channel Encyclopedia of TV Science Fiction by Roger Fulton & John Betabcourt.