The Omega Factor (TV Series) Out of Body, Out of Mind (1979) User Reviews

A good political themed episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 11 October 2019]

I quite enjoyed this episode, definitely better then the previous offering. Tom is beginning to put the pieces together, figuring out that there is some sort of maligning world order, Omega. This episode is a definite product of the age, there were plenty of 70's dramas, where the leader of an imagined African country is about to be assassinated. The method used to carry out such a deed is an interesting one. I loved the start, very sinister, menacing.

The character of Hamish is a good one, and it's interesting to see a development of the relationship between Tom and his brother. Tom's suspicions of Martindale are now the key focus of the show, is he working with Drexell, and part of Omega, or is he trying to do the right thing? Same goes for Scott Erskine.

Poor Hamish

[keysam-02610 · 8/10 · 21 January 2022]

Brother Michael is out of hospital and finally seems to be a bit better. This allows for a bit of plot development in which Tom finally finds out what was obvious to the viewer at the time - Martindale was behind Michael being in Caithness when he was supposed to be visiting European universities.

In fact in this episode Tom is generally NOT happy with Martindale, nor is he terribly happy with Michael's progress. Anne finally makes a move on him, only to be rain checked in favour of Tom keeping an eye on his brother. Trigger warning for 1970s underpants!

Omega also raises its head a bit more, involved in an assassination plot. As is common with such groups, they have wormed their way into the corridors of power, so that any attempts to thwart them leads to the central characters reporting their misgivings to absolutely the wrong people. Fortunately - sort of - the Omega bunch end up hoist by their own petard, though it's not clear poor Hamish will ever be OK again.

Martindale's little speech about taking risks is all very fine and dandy, except it's never himself he's risking. At least explorers who climb mountains and whatnot have chosen the risk. Too many of Martindale's subjects have either been misled, coerced or simply have no idea what they're getting into.

Interesting episode which leaves this viewer quite nervous about Tom's future, as he really is starting to get in Omega's way now.

Side note: I have been interested to note the inclusion of real popular music in this series occasionally. A couple of episodes ago it was Pink Floyd, in this one it's The Tom Robinson Band. I have always thought the first time I heard real pop music (rather than made-up rubbish) in a TV show was in Miami Vice, but looks like Omega Factor beat them to it. They also have the cast subjecting themselves to some pretty dreadful-sounding "classical" stuff!

Out of Body, Out of Mind

[Prismark10 · 3/10 · 12 February 2022]

No wonder this series had censorship problems. Originally broadcast by the BBC at about 8.00 pm. Kids would had been subjected to prolonged scenes of James Hazeldine in tight underpants in this episode.

Tom Crane learns that Martindale was using his brother Michael for psychic experiments such as astral projecting. Michael is having out of body experiences as he sleeps. Tom once again realises that Martindale has been lying to him.

As for Omega. They have infiltrated the highest levels of government. There is a new section chief in Whitehall as the previous one suddenly dies.

The new guy wants to kill the president of a African country. Hamish Mboto is a friend of Michael and his father is a minister in the African country. He has been shaped with psychedelic drugs to carry out the assassination.

Tom Crane finds out something sinister is happening and races to get to Hamish.

It should be a good episode but it flounders mainly because of mediocrity and boredom. The Hamish Mboto subplot is straight out of The Manchurian Candidate.

At least as the series nears its end. Both Martindale and Omega are plausible targets for Tom.