The New Counter-Measures: Series 1

Following the standalone reboot episode, Counter-Measures returns for a new season of four hour-long stories. Unlike the previous seasons, there's no arc here, with the individual stories almost entirely unconnected. With the exception of the third story, the fact that we've moved on from the '60s to the '70s isn't really apparent, either; it seems to me that most of these would have worked perfectly well in the original setting. As indicated in the reboot episode, however, the set-up is different, dealing now with three agents and their boss, without the original military backup or other extensive resources. Sir Toby also seems to have mellowed a bit with age, being less duplicitous, although he's also more directly involved in some of the action, perhaps because the team is now smaller.

* Nothing to See Here - The first story (as is apparent from the pre-title sequence) deals with bank robbers able to turn invisible to carry out their crimes. There are some obvious parallels with Wells' The Invisible Man here, with the toll that invisibility takes on the characters being a central theme. But it's relevant that it's not regular invisibility, working in a different way than is usually portrayed in such stories, something that directly affects how it plays out. That aside, it's an investigation story with a suitably dramatic conclusion at a ski resort in Switzerland. 4 stars.

* Troubled Waters - A lower-key story that has some loose links to the previous seasons, this also benefits from a claustrophobic setting, almost entirely taking place aboard a sunken submarine. It's creepy in places, as the team explore the limited setting to try and figure out what's going on, but, while it's low on action, there is plenty of threat as events unravel. There is also some good use of the characters themselves, playing on their different personalities and how it affects what they perceive. 4.5 stars.

* The Phoenix Strain - While the title, and some plot elements, are reminiscent of the '70s film The Andromeda Strain, this bears a stronger resemblance to Hitchcock's 1963 The Birds (or perhaps even more so to the novella that inspired it). Which, despite a number of references that place the story in 1973, means that it would probably have worked at least as well in this series' original setting. The avian threat escalates as the story builds and the team investigates the cause, revealing something that has parallels to modern events and to popular conspiracy theories. 4 stars.

* A Gamble with Time - The final story concerns an international arms dealer using a casino as cover, giving something of a James Bond ambience. It's another investigative piece, with the team trying to figure out exactly what's going on as a shady deal for an alien piece of technology develops a number of complications. There are some fun twists in here and a conclusion that, while not really a cliffhanger, leaves things open for future sequels. 4.5 stars.