Just Enough Time To Save The Situation!. Review on Seven Days

This series has been shown on various channels here in the UK.I watched it on BBC2 where we had the first series until it was suddenly cut from the air.I believe in the States that it ran into a third series before being axed.

Enough,though,what about the programme.

Most of us have imagined the scenario - ''if only I could travel back in time with the knowledge that I have now , I could undo the mistakes of the past''. I could pass that exam , knowing the questions in advance . I could slow down at that spot on the road and not get done for speeding. I wouldn`t say or do that stupid thing that breaks up a promising relationship and of course having the winning lottery ticket numbers would be to my advantage , as well .!

When Christopher Crowe was posed that proposition , his mind went not to the past but to the future. He visualized making a whole T.V. series based on the premise that time - travel was possible but would only be used to undo the most catastrophic events.

Crowe,the creator and co-producer of ''Seven Days'' has an excellent pedigree.He is a veteran of film and T.V. writing ,for example he co-wrote ''Last of the Mohicans '' starring Daniel Day Lewis, amongst many things.

He envisioned an elite and highly secretive military intelligence unit that would have the capabilities of sending just one operative back in time 7 days to rectify only the most dire of events.The equipment would be largely untested due to it`s use being brought forward through necessity and because the technology employed was alien ,thanks to the 1954 Roswell incident .

He imposed moral dilemmas into the story-lines.The philosophical struggle of just what do you attempt to rectify is always self-evident and only the most cataclysmic events should be deemed worthy of intervention.The first reasons for the time-jumps included presidential assassinations and world-wide deadly plague but whatever the reason it provides a vehicle for a completely innovative and exciting series. Don`t expect too much concrete science to be talked about for the accent is definitely on action and expect plenty of that as well.

I feel that there must be a limit to the number of incidents deemed worthy of a ''back-step'' as they refer to the time-jumps but initially the series seems to have got off to a rip-roaring start thanks largely to it`s main character ,Frank and although the cast is well put together , it centres upon the two characters of Frank Parker and Olga Vukavitch and the interplay between them.

Frank,played by Jonathan LaPaglia,is a former CIA operative and ex Navy Seal (the US equivalent of our SBS).He had to be specially released from a secure military pyschiatric unit to be the guinea pig in the experimental procedures of time-travel.

He ,of course,displays all the qualities needed to do the job and also produce a few ''fireworks'' along the way. As we get to know his character he reveals himself to be both anti-social and anti-authority.He is also totally unpredictable ,rebellious and cocky.Add this together with his reckless disregard for fear, novel ingenuity and high tolerance for pain and, not surprisingly,it proves that they`ve chosen the best man for the job.Oh and his near photographic memory comes in handy as well !

As he strives to build a relationship with Olga,a bit of a cold fish,the constant interruptions of his ''back-steps'' or time-jumps,prove to be a hinderance in this department.

Olga ,played by Christina Vail ,is a real brain-box.Extremely intelligent and attractive,she`s a Russian nuclear and astro-physicist as well as being the discoverer of Temporal Displacement who defected from the USSR after the end of the cold-war where she had been working on a similar project.She manages however to remain aloof from Frank`s constant attentions.

The rest of the very competent cast sport some well known faces.You`ll recognise Don Franklin as Craig Donovan who`s the chief military advisor to the project.He`s also a close personal friend and supporter of Parker which helps no end!

My initial feeling about this series is good .It brings together a most enjoyable blend of action and suspense that I hope can be maintained.Excellent dialogue and vivid special effects add to the zest. Wit and humour also find a welcome place in the components of it`s structure being nicely interspersed within the events happening.Solid and professional acting hold everything together but it is wise to suspend close examination of the cause and effect theory when watching it.Don`t let logic spoil your enjoyment of good S.F. escapism!

Addendum.

I find it quite satisfying to find that the two lead characters are both played by non-Americans.

Jonathan LaPaglia (Frank) is an Aussie and brother of the more well known Anthony.He is also a fully qualified doctor having worked in E.R. departments in Australia and England before his gradual shift into acting after studying drama part-time.

Christina Vail (Olga) is an ex-pat Brit.Born in Malaysia ,she lived in Hong Kong before moving to England and study at the Canterbury Arts College. She embarked upon an acting career whilst visiting the U.S.There she brazenly walked into the casting dept. of a film.asking to read for a part stating that she was a seasoned English actress.She got the part and has not looked back since!