For those who haven't seen the Andromeda series, begin reading here.

Many years ago, in fact before he died (easier than after), Gene Roddenberry, creator of the ever-great Star Trek was heard to murmur the word Andromeda. And lo, the series Andromeda was born. And just what Gene Roddenberry would have made of this series, we'll never know. But we can guess....

The story, in a nutshell, is this. There was a cruel and evil empire of a million planets known by the Cromwellian title of 'The Commonwealth' (to differentiate it from Isaac Asimov's 'Empire', no doubt). The freedom-loving universe has managed to escape from the clutches of this Commonwealth and now exists as a group of proudly independent, free planets.

But their nemesis is out there in the interstellar wastes between the suns - the dreadful starship Andromeda, captained by the despotic and bloodthirsty Dylan Hunt. His aim: to restore the pomp and glory of the old Commonwealth. To seek out freedom wherever it may be, and subdue it once again. So far he has brought 50 former members of the Commonwealth to heel. There will be more.

'Andromeda' is not just a starship, it is the sensual and cruel synthesised woman who is the starship's heart and soul. She holds the crew of half a dozen in her thrall - there once was a crew of 4000, before Captain Hunt carelessly lost them; the casting agency can't come up with that number again.

Well, I may have got the villains wrong - perhaps Andromeda, Captain Hunt and the crew are good after all - it hardly matters really, in this mish-mash of recycled sci-fi themes.

The first episode on this disc is in fact a lecture about drugs and drug abuse which is every bit as funny and effective as a Mr Garrison lecture in South Park. The second episode has the crew running around the ship being chased by alien invaders who sound exactly like the Wicked Witch's troop of sentries in The Wizard of Oz. To find out how this episode ends, you must buy the next DVD in the series. But I think you can guess... Poor old Gene Roddenberry, to have his wonderful visions reduced to this!

It's full screen for a start - even though so many better shows are now being shot in widescreen.

The picture quality is decent; an admirably crisp and clear image.

There are no special features to speak of - a surprise visit by Captain Hunt for a few seconds while accessing the fully-animated menu seems to be about it.

The stereo audio is clear enough to reveal the unmistakeable acoustics of a sound stage, located miraculously aboard the starship Andromeda.