87%
Most people who recall Sapphire and Steel recall "the train station" story. Although it is a very good story and is genuinely spooky at times (the Darkness is definitely a fearsome foe) I sometimes wonder if people remember it because of the abrupt break during transmission of the story. An industrial dispute resulted in ITV going off air for a number of weeks - the break came just after episode 3 was broadcast. Although there was a long wait until the next episode was broadcast at least ITV re-ran the previous 3 episodes.

All that aside, Assignment Two is an excellent story although I feel that it would have worked better as a six-part story. At eight episodes it seems too long and I find that it loses its way by the end. It is interesting to note that the story was going to be shorter but P.J.Hammond was asked to lengthen it - and I think it shows. Nevertheless, this is an excellent story with some wonderful moments and brilliant acting. Tom Kelly is excellent as Pearce, Gerald James gives a warm and moving performance as Tully and Joanna Lumley shines in this story. David McCallum doesn't get as much of a chance to shine in this story, but make no mistake, he turns in a great performance.

It is unfortunate that Carlton haven't gone to town on this series. The DVD releases offer little more than the original VHS releases - they are almost bare bones with only a handful of static features. Not to mention the fact that all six stories have been spread across two box sets, so the series are mixed together. All 8 episodes of Assignment Two have been authored onto one disc, the second of the three which comprise the set.

There is no option to play all the episodes. When you reach the end of an episode you are returned to the menu and must select the next one. And the sole subtitles are in English only - of course, the series was not that big a success, but nothing damns a series more than the faint praise this DVD release represents.