User Reviews

Sometimes it's a deserted mansion - but it saves on cast members. Apparently this jolly swagman is played by an Irishman - no wonder he sounds American instead of Australian. He seems to have imported some rattlesnakes... and vultures... Does Australia have vultures?

Wow, I can't believe the low rating of 6.3 for Happening. I thought it was great. In this one, Richard is investigating possible sabotage in connection with a bomb test in the Australian Outback. After falling from a helicopter, he wakes with amnesia. Can he regain his memories in time to deactivate the dirty nuclear device someone has attached the the bomb? And, can Sharron and and Craig help him from 50 miles away?

A couple of things I liked: 1. Happening has to be most tension filled episode I've seen so far. I was literally on the edge of my seat by the end. 2. Sharron's long-distance CPR scene was really cool. I always like seeing newly discovered powers. 3. Michael Gough, even in a small role, is always fun.

A couple of things I didn't like: 1. The fake desert sets are really bad. They distract from what is otherwise a fantastic episode. 2. While Craig is able to help Richard diffuse the bomb, I'm not sure how he's going to explain it all away. Tremayne was standing right beside him and saw what was happening. Plus, Sturat Damon's facial expression in these scenes are laugh-out-loud funny. Every time he gives Richard a telepathic instruction, he looks like he's having an orgasm.

Overall, a very interesting, entertaining episode that I'm giving an 8/10.

'Avengers' writer/co-producer Brian Clemens penned two 'Baron' episodes - 'The Long, Long Night' and 'The Maze' - under the alias 'Tony O'Grady'. For 'The Champions', however, he reverted to his real name. 'Happening' was one of two outings he scripted for the NEMESIS trio, the other being the show's finale 'Autokill'.

An atomic test is due to take place in the Australian outback, and Richard is there to check out reports of 'subversive elements' who might have a vested interest in sabotaging it. After arresting two men in a helicopter in flight over the Simpson Desert, a fight breaks out, a stray gun-shot cuts the fuel line, and the copter plunges earthwards. Barrett falls out. Being superhuman, of course, he survives, but when he awakens his memory has gone. A bracelet identifies him as 'Richard' but Richard who? A grimy road sign tells him he is a considerable distance from Sydney, Australia. Another sign points him towards Joe's Place, an abandoned diner. Only it is not quite abandoned - a strange-looking machine has been placed over a well, and a drunken, earthy old prospector ( Jack MacGowran ) covers him with a rifle. He is 'Banner B.Banner' ( his mother apparently lacked imagination when it came to names ). The area - 'Bad Joke Springs' - has been evacuated because of the impending atomic bomb test, Banner chose to remain behind because he is unconvinced it will happen. While arguments rage, Barrett spots a poisonous snake headed for the old man, and moves to stop it biting him. It bites Richard instead...

A tense, exciting story matched by good direction from Cyril Frankel. 'Banner' is like an Aussie version of an 'Avengers' eccentric, forever knocking back whisky and laughing at his own jokes. MacGowran, a hugely talented Irish actor, later appeared in the Australian comedy 'Age Of Consent' starring James Mason and Helen Mirren. As the story progresses, Barrett regains his memory but the danger is far from over - the atomic bomb has been augmented by a similar, dirtier device installed by agents of an unfriendly country. When it goes off, most of the country will be wiped off the map. One of their agents - 'Major Joss' ( Michael Gough ) - has been ordered to lay down his life by guarding the device.

Richard's show then, but the other Champions contribute too - Sharron gets Richard's heart pumping again using her telepathic powers, and Craig sends him the know-how needed to defuse the bomb. Also on view is Grant Taylor as 'General Winters', later to play 'General Henderson' in 'U.F.O.'. The final scene has a baffled Tremayne wondering how the Champions managed to save their friend from such a long away way.

Incidentally, Bad Joke Springs was so named because it was bone dry - that was the bad joke!

The show adopts a globetrotting tone with this episode, mainly the William Gaunt show. He's stranded in the Australian desert with only an annoying old drunk and an evil Michael Gough (sadly underutilised) for company and it just sort of muddles along from there. Plenty of super power stuff but it lacks the edge of previous instalments.