“We’ll always be together. Together in electric dreams.” Or at least that’s what?renowned fibbers?Giorgio Moroder and Philip Oakey would have us believe.
Electric Dreams also happens to be the name of a new three-part series which, combined with some other technology focused programmes, creates the Electric Revolution season on what is the UK’s last beacon of hope in this multi-channel revolving pit of despair, BBC Four.
Together in Electric Dreams was of course a track from a film of the same name in which a lonely architect takes the advice of his new computer to plan and execute the murder of his new neighbour, while listening to synthesizer-based music. Unfortunately this isn’t a TV serialisation of the film, but instead transforms the house of a technologically dependant family into that of a 70s household, then 80s, then 90s. We mentioned it was in three parts.
The Sullivan-Barnes family are drip fed bits of tech by a trio of experts; one of which is Twitter’s very own Gia Milinovich. She is introduced as a technology journalist and computer expert, though the latter obviously isn’t true as she can be seen tapping away at the keyboard of a Mac.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that you’ve heard of, or maybe even seen this premise before, that’s because you have. Adam Buxton & Joe Cornish created The 1980s House as part of The Adam & Joe Show in 2001, and they are exceptionally similar.
There is a mixture of despair and excitement from the double-barrelled family as they enter their Life on Mars-ed house. The excitement element soon subsides as the mother struggles to comprehend the kitchen and lack of gadgets therein. As she laments the presence of a basic electric hob and absent dishwasher, it becomes clear to the viewer that it is no worse than the average student’s food preparation room.
There’s also the faint smell of collusion as the arrival of a?Teasmade?provokes confusion and an apparent inability to recognise something they almost certainly would have been aware of during their formative years.
Nonetheless, they immerse themselves in the 70s and its idiosyncrasies including black & white television, cars without?wing mirrors, and ketchup that comes in glass bottles. Crazy. If nothing else good comes of this, at least 13-year-old Hamish discovered the concept of tangible music ownership. His first experience of handling vinyl has set him on a path of purchasing music on physical formats rather than stupid mp3, I’m sure David Quantick would approve.
The mother also gets into the swing of things by romanticising the prospect of striking her child, but concludes that she probably shouldn’t. This is reassuringly further reinforced by the father, who reminds her that she definitely shouldn’t; the NSPCC can relax. That clip is currently available to view on iPlayer by clicking on this word. While correctly suggesting that the 70s was a golden era for child abuse, she forgets that it was also a time when women should be seen and not heard, and with good reason if she is anything to go by.
The Electric Revolution season is worth watching for its nostalgia value alone, you can find out all about it on the BBC website.
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