The White Dwarf

Episode aired Feb 25, 1991
52min

7.5/10

S2.E21

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A famous astronomer predicts that the entry into the solar system of a small star will result in the destruction of the Earth. Steed and Cathy try to discover the connection, if any, between... Read allA famous astronomer predicts that the entry into the solar system of a small star will result in the destruction of the Earth. Steed and Cathy try to discover the connection, if any, between the astronomer's dire prediction and the threats on his life.A famous astronomer predicts that the entry into the solar system of a small star will result in the destruction of the Earth. Steed and Cathy try to discover the connection, if any, between the astronomer's dire prediction and the threats on his life.

7.5/10

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Genres
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Trivia
The name Voytek can be seen on the observatory timetable, though no such character appears. This is a clear in-joke to then-ABCtv staff designer Voytek Roman.

Goofs
As Steed fetches Cathy's bag to her in his flat the boom is clearly visible between them.

Quotes
Catherine Gale: There's a theory, you know, that our own solar system started this way. First they were twin binary stars. Then one of them exploded and some of the debris became the planets.
John Steed: That's Professor Richter's theory, isn't it?
Catherine Gale: [angered] If you've already read up on this, you're wasting my time, aren't you?
John Steed: Keep your shirt on! All I know about this theory is, that he said that the white dwarf would re-enter our solar system one day.
Catherine Gale: He still maintains that theory as far as I know.
John Steed: He doesn't maintain anything anymore, he was murdered last night.

Top review

6/10

The end of the world as we know it

"The White Dwarf" presented another potentially gripping story, bearing similarities to the 1961 feature "The Day the Earth Caught Fire." Professor Richter (Keith Pyott, "The House That Jack Built") is an astronomer who believes that a 'white dwarf' (not a black hole) is on a collision course with the sun, and will destroy all life in our solar system. Unfortunately, on a night when he's about to confirm his findings, he is murdered by an unseen assailant, who also disposes of another astronomer as well. On the business end, Maxwell Barker (George A. Cooper, "The Curious Case of the Countless Clues") receives the white dwarf news from his brother Henry (Peter Copley, "All Done with Mirrors"), who works for the Ministry, believing he can make a financial killing from a worldwide panic. Philip Latham ("Room Without a View"), like George A. Cooper a veteran of Hammer's Dracula series, plays Professor Cartright, alarmed by the high morality rate at the observatory, and George Roubicek ("Invasion of the Earthmen") plays the grieving son of Professor Richter. Cathy again dominates the proceedings, but the climax proves to be unsatisfactorily rushed (during one dialogue exchange between Steed and Cathy, a microphone can clearly be seen above them). Steed's dog Sheba makes the second of her five appearances, hopping onto his lap and getting her belly rubbed.

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