I missed this show first time around and am finally making my way through it now I, like many, have a hell of a lot more free time these days. The show is pretty good, but I wanted to draw attention to this episode in particular which I think is outstanding. And not because the theme of it involving a plague resonates at this time.

In this episode we see a relatively secondary character in Helo, not known for his smarts or character development, taking centre stage as we see a great portrait of work related stress, being out of your depth / overpromoted, being doubted and having to obey a chain of command. This is all really well done (and we even learn his real name) and I imagine rings true to those of us who have seen a 'disciplined service' in action.

But then factor in that he is having to take on the establishment (that is, the established central characters of the show) and expose them as unthinking, uncaring, borderline bigots. I don't know if I've ever seen a show paint several of its key protagonists in this way in terms of making genuinely horrific misjudgements and covering up murderous failings using the excuse of being overworked and ingrained (and not entirely unjustified) prejudices about certain sections of society.

Really top notch television in this particular episode that millions will never see because it is in a sci-fi show. A big bravo to whoever wrote this episode and whoever agreed to key characters being presented in this way.