PERENNIAL TARGET for “cuh?!” criticism, this cheapo would-be glamorous soap set on a passenger ferry on a triangular route between Felixstowe, Stockholm and Amsterdam (do you see?) invited derision pretty much from the off thanks to its fundamental flaw – the North Sea is a grey, freezing dreary wasteland, and no place for viewer-friendly shenanigans. Most-remembered scene introduced sexy ship’s purser KATE O’MARA sunbathing topless on foredeck (chest down, of course), visibly suffering from effects of 40mph wind and light drizzle. It got no better. O’Mara left after two series (nowadays it would’ve been pulled after two episodes). Also on board: MICHAEL CRAIG, LARRY LAMB, NIGEL STOCK and SCOTT FREDERICKS. DIANA COUPLAND, PAUL JERRICHO and GEORGE BAKER were drummed on board to try and pep up interest. Instead it sank, all hands, no doubt in the choppy wake of THE LOVE BOAT.
Applemask
February 6, 2020 at 5:37 pm
It might make an interesting setting for a gritty, sardonic comedy drama by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, or Alan Bleasdale maybe. But not a would-be glamorous aspirational soap type thing. Felixtowe is not Dallas. It’s not even Knots Landing.
richardpd
February 6, 2020 at 11:01 pm
One problem the production team had was trying to shoot it all on location with the new hand held cameras, that could cope with either indoor or outdoor light levels, but not a mixture of both.
This meant most of the interior shots on the ferry had to be done with curtains covering the windows.
From what I remember from the first episode when it was shown as part of TV Hell there was a few lame attempts at humour & even lamer attempts at incidental music.
Glenn Aylett
February 7, 2020 at 11:05 am
Was Triangle any worse than Eldorado, with its wooden actors and lame plots? At least it had a decent cast, not a load of unknowns, and starred Paul Jerricho, appearing a few weeks after he played the evil Mr Hicks in Grange Hill, in probably his biggest acting role. I wouldn’t say Triangle was great, but it was better than the likes of Crossroads and Eldorado, and my family considered it OK. Any chance of a re run then?
Richardpd
December 11, 2023 at 10:20 pm
Paul Jerricho is one of those actors who has turned up in many supporting parts over the years, from Doctor Who to Look Around You.
Glenn Aylett
December 12, 2023 at 8:12 pm
@ Richardpd, Jerricho was excellent as Mr Hicks in Grange Hill and as the Castellan in Doctor Who. It’s a shame Triangle wasn’t a better show as he had a decent sized role and it could have worked very well for him.