The Omega Factor (TV Series) Double Vision (1979) User Reviews

Unsatisfactory

[keysam-02610 · 6/10 · 24 January 2022]

It has become clear that Omega Factor is more of a serial than a series, especially in these latter episodes. It's particularly clear in this one. There are mentions of the previous story, in which it becomes clear that no attempt was made to help poor Hamish avoid prison (OK he killed his "girlfriend" but she was actually the one brainwashing him. Surely a reduced sentence at least? But of course Dept 7 aren't letting on about the brainwashing, so it's curtains for Hamish. Tom's not the only person disgusted by this!), but also the plot kind of fizzles out at the end.

Martindale has been revealed to be a baddie, working with Vashrevsky (who appears to be in charge, or at least superior to him) and Vashrevsky is, by the close of the story, intending to frighten Tom - or maybe worse; Martindale obviously suspects something more permanent will take place. Tom runs after "Julia" who has turned out (rather unbelievably) to be a completely different woman in a bad wig, only for Scott-Erskine to pop up, trip him up (to save him) and that's it, roll credits.

So at the end of the episode all the main characters, plus Vashrevsky are in the cemetery, in different spots, but really nothing at all is happening. It's all quite unsatisfactory.

However we do now know that Martindale is a wrong 'un. Anne is at the very least the most incurious investigator of the psychic/supernatural ever - she never once suggests Tom's psychic powers might account for him seeing Julia. But then she doesn't seem intrigued by the lack of official death records either!

Scott-Erskine is apparently *not* working for the same nefarious bunch as Martindale & Vashrevsky (presumably Omega) but whether he's a villain or not remains to be seen.

The final episode will have quite a lot of heavy lifting to do!

Plenty of running about.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 5/10 · 11 February 2020]

Tom is convinced that he's seen Julia roaming the streets, in a nightclub and at The Zoo, Anne seems conveniently on hand each time.

I wouldn't say this is my favourite episode, considering that it's the penultimate episode, it seems to be half an hour of running around, with Tom chasing Julia, and Anne conveniently popping up, dare I say it, it's repetitive.

It's not a bad episode, it's just that it has some terrific ideas, and doesn't make much use of them. They have made us wonder if Martindale is a good guy or not from the start, hopefully we'll know sooner or later.

Philip Locke is a bit hammy as Vashrevsky, his character doesn't really offer up much, apart from a range of accents from across the Globe.

In all honesty this one was hard work. 5/10

Double Vision

[Prismark10 · 3/10 · 5 March 2022]

The Double Vision of the episode is Tom keeps seeing the figure of his late wife Julia everywhere. This includes being at the dancefloor at the disco dancing to Blondie.

Is Julia still alive? Did she fake her own death? Or is it the manifestation of Tom's psychic powers?

Nobody else seems to be that much interested. Martindale suggests that Tom takes a break. Anne thinks Tom might be on tranquilisers. This might tie in with Vashrevsky's idea of a hypnotic state.

Anne is understandably upset that if Julia is still about. She will lose Tom.

Vashrevsky is a slightly sinister character who seems to be trying to find out just what Tom might be up to. Even become a confidant of Tom.

It turns out that Vashrevsky is someone high up in Omega. Martindale is his underling, Martindale is a baddie after all.

I was surprised that the reveal about Martindale came in the penultimate episode.

I thought it was a pedestrian and rather poor story. The thing about Tom looking for a double of his wife was unexciting.

The Martindale reveal was nothing to do with Tom and Anne. This leaves Andrew Scott-Erskine as the only possible ally.