Who Pays the Ferryman?
Who Pays the Ferryman?

Who Pays the Ferryman? (1977)

6.4 (5 votes)
1 Season
November 7, 1977
English
Drama

Synopsis

Who Pays the Ferryman? was a television series produced by the BBC in 1977. The title of the series refers to the ancient religious belief and mythology of Charon the ferryman to Hades. In ancient times it was the custom to place coins in or on the mouth of the deceased before cremation so that the deceased could pay the ferryman to go to Hades. The eight-part series was written by Michael J. Bird.

Network

BBC Two

Episodes

Return to Yesterday
E1

Return to Yesterday

Nov 7, 1977
50 min

Reliving the past can be dangerous as Alan Haldane discovers when he returns to Crete after 30 years. His arrival awakens old passions and a hatred, which, unknown to him, has festered for all that time.

Some Talk of Alexander
E2

Some Talk of Alexander

Nov 14, 1977
50 min

Haldane meets William Hebden. Hebden is also reliving the past, but while Haldane hides his light under a bushel, Hebden tells his story to anyone who'll listen. An action he may have cause to regret.

The Long Shadow
E3

The Long Shadow

Nov 21, 1977
50 min

Katerina Matakis marshals the forces against an unsuspecting Haldane. A man's past can be used to destroy him. But when the stakes are this high, other lives may then be in jeopardy.

A Dead Man to Carry My Cross
E4

A Dead Man to Carry My Cross

Nov 28, 1977
50 min

An entire village unites against a stranger and an ugly vendetta alienates Annika from Haldane. As events take their course, Haldane learns just how strong are the ties with the past.

Receive the Light
E5

Receive the Light

Dec 5, 1977
50 min

Haldane accepts an unusual challenge and wins an unusual friend. Meanwhile, it is Easter in Elounda. Annika does not know and Haldane dare not reveal that her dead sister is an obstacle to their happiness. When disaster strikes Haldane is surprised by the reaction of the local population.

The Well
E6

The Well

Dec 12, 1977
50 min

"We can never shake ourselves free of what once was", says the Major, "for the past stands with us like our shadow." Alan Haldane encounters a "Lotus Eater". What is it that drives a man like Duncan Neve?

A River to Cross
E7

A River to Cross

Dec 19, 1977
50 min

The vendetta continues against Alan Haldane and he learns that someone wishes him dead. Is it he who must pay the ferryman? He may yet have cause to wish it were.

The Daughters of Themis
E8

The Daughters of Themis

Dec 26, 1977
50 min

"In a lifetime, in every act, among the seeds we sow is the seed of tragedy. And tragedy is a plant which can take many years to grow and even longer to blossom and bear its bitter fruit." Katerina Matakis discovers the capriciousness of the Fates as old gods exact their vengeance. With his new life in ruins, Haldane can see no alternative but to fight his vendetta to its conclusion.

Cast

Details

Original Title

Who Pays the Ferryman?

Status

Ended

Seasons

1

Episodes

8