The lowdown: 'Survivors' was first broadcast on BBC1 between April 1975 and June 1977, with 38 episodes over three 
seasons. Created by Terry Nation, who also wrote many of the first season's episodes, it tells the story of Britain's last
survivors of a devastating virus outbreak that has killed most of the world's population. The series begins with the outbreak
and the collapse of civilisation, and focuses on the daily struggle for survival of a small group of people who eventually come
together to form a new community. Amid the global disaster there is hope for the future of humanity, yet some people are 
still keen to capitalise on the disaster for their own gain. Some survivors plan to build their own empire out of the ruins of 
civilisation, others want to control the supply of goods, while others simply want to ensure that the human race goes on.

'Parasites' was the 10th episode of the second season, and featured Patrick Troughton in an all-too-brief cameo as John 
Millen, a survivor who travels around with his barge and his horse, trading goods for things he needs. Mina, one of the 
members of the fledgling Whitecross community, encounters Millen on the canal and invites him back to the settlement to
discuss trading a stock of wellington boots. However, when the barge arrives two strangers emerge and it is subsequently
revealed that they are convicts who killed Millen. Patrick Troughton is, as always, excellent, and it is a pity he did not have 
a greater role in this episode. In fact, a recurring role in the series would have been great!

The verdict: Being over 30 years old, 'Survivors' is showing its age, with the fashions and hairstyles belonging firmly in the
70s. However, this should not deter people from watching what is a compelling and well-written series. 'Survivors' excels in 
story-telling and the acting is also largely very good (with cameos from a few other actors who became well-known). But the
real strength of the show is its intelligent and realistic portrayal of the human condition and how people would really react if
the world they knew had been destroyed.

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