I absolutely adored this series as a 14 year old child and still do as a 38 year old. Even back in the day I saw it for its many many flaws but at the same time it is just pure entertainment at its best. My main draw for this series was the wonderful Jaye Griffiths whom I had seen as the formidable D.I. Johnson in the Bill (when it was good) and I went on to become a life long fan of hers. I liked enjoyed Craig McLaughlin as the original Ed (loathed the 2nd incarnation) but was never a fan of Jesse Birdsall.The shows quality dropped even too low for me in the final 2 series with the introduction of Alex and Jan but it will always always hold a special place in my heart. The theme tune alone still gives me chills of joy to this very day.
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lowecasper9 January 2021
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louiseandphil28 August 2020I have just introduced Bugs to my 14-year-old son, who loved it. 25 years on from the first series, it's better than I remembered, with some very prophetic insights into the impact of technology on society.
The first two series have a very distinct identity. There was a "house style" which only allowed plain, primary colours, particularly blue and yellow (no actors were seen wearing any patterns of any sort) and most of the location filming was set around Canary Wharf. The scripts were centered around the technology and the three main characters were largely two-dimensional, with rather wooden dialogue.
In the third series, there seems to have been a change of direction. The house style was largely abandoned and there was a move to flesh out the main characters, with more insight into their past. The dialogue was more naturalistic and Bugs began to feel more like a programme for grown-ups. The addition of Jan and Alex gave a stale format a big boost.
The decision to have another actor play Ed, in the fourth series, was a huge mistake.
25 years on, Bugs comes across as a highly accomplished piece of entertainment. If you can turn a blind eye to the clichéd, leaden dialogue, it is an enjoyable piece of escapism for older children of all ages. -
dmholloway-1863311 June 2022I revisted Bugs by accident.
I had been discussing old TV shows with a friend when Bugs sprung to mind. I couldn't recall much about it but i remember i enjoyed the theme music when i watched it as a kid so i used a popular Internet video-based site to look up the theme. In doing this i found all 4 series available to watch so began binging.
In the beginning, it looked modern with its use of shooting locations, most notably the (then) recently redeveloped London Docklands.
Unfortunately the stories seem a bit far fetched and the action falls short in places as its clearly trying to keep up more edgy US shows and movies.
It shows its age today but i have thoroughly enjoyed the rewatch. I watch it alone as it can be very cheesey and cringy at times and anyone sitting with you would be well justified in asking, "why on Earth are you watching this?"
But it had good intentions and clearly the budget to back it up with decent FX, ever changing musical score and some set designs that put some other shows to shame.
If you're in the mood for a cheesey, 90s looking, not quite polished in the writing department show, then definitely give Bugs a watch. -
Dark_Side_Mistress13 October 2005I used to watch this show every Saturday night with my family, right through from the very first episode. It was brilliant, and I was really upset when the BBC said they would not be making any more, but even more upset that they left it hanging. What ever happened to Beckett, Ros, Ed and Alex? That's what I want to know.
However, I will say that i think that Craig made a much better Ed than Stephen ever did. The on screen chemistry between him and Paula (Alex), made it seem more real, but when Stephen came along, that chemistry fell flat. Why did they replace Craig in the first place? Th only good thing I have to say about Stephen's Ed, is that, unlike Craig, Stephen actually managed to make it look like Ed was a real tai-Kwon-Do expert, and made him kick butt. I think that this was one of the reasons why the BBC axed Bugs.
I've just been reacquainted with it, via the DVD series, after 6 (or is it 7?) long years, and, as a result, i think all us loyal BUGSs fans should start a campaign to bring a half decent TV show back to Saturady nights. BRING BACK BUGS! BRING BACK BUGS! -
darrelltill19 August 2021I just rewatched some 'Bugs' which I loved in the 1990s. Back then I'd have given it 10 stars, but I'm being fair by giving it a still strong 9.
Bugs was when BBC started to up their game and make shows that could actually compete with imported US action series. They'd recently cancelled Doctor Who because the effects were laughable, but Bugs was smarter with the way it was filmed. The lighting, locations, set pieces etc were used better and even though it was a show about computers, gadgets and gizmos, it didn't rely heavily on FX. Okay, some of the explosions still looked cheap, but that's a minor criticism. The team of protagonists were well chosen, creating a slightly corny but likeable combo of clever, funny, and daring.
Watching today, some won't get the appeal. This was advanced for the BBC at the time, but they've come a lot further since with the reboot of Doctor Who in terms of production values. But this is a likeable show that all ages can watch and enjoy, if you suspend belief a little. Ripe for a remake. -
elavigne78859 July 2014One of the best television series to come out from Britain. Good plots,music score,etc. But when the producers decided to replace Craig McLaclan with Steven Houghton,to play the role of Ed,this was the down fall. Steven Houghton did not fit into the role playing Ed. The rest of the cast did a good job in their roles.but Steven Houghton was not suited for the role of Ed. Eventually the show was cancelled. But,the last episode,was very disappointing. This TV show is available on DVD and can be purchase from Basdvd.com or Amazon.com in the U.K. If you live in Canada or the United States,make sure your DVD player will play region two,European standard,used in Europe. Region one is the standard for Canada,and the United States. If your DVD player is a region one DVD player,on the internet,type in,video help.com. When the web site shows up,scroll down to hacks,press in your DVD player name,example,philips DVD 2800,this web site will tell you how to make your player region free. Most DVD players you can do this to,some you cannot.
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karlbb0211 March 2014From the first episode I have watched on television, I have seen them all. Most on TV, but the ones that missed on TV. I have watched on DVD. I have all the episodes on DVD, as well as the five books. I also do a podcast on the show, reviewing the episodes. The first episode I first watched of the show, was episode 3 in series 1. As this was the episode that was being shown on the night, I first discovered the show on BBC1. I would recommend you watching the show, so that you can find out what it is all about. Also as I watch the episodes again, I can see how much of the Docklands area of London has changed. Since the show was filmed. Most of the episodes was filmed around the Docklands area. The first series had got the most viewers, and seems to be the best series of the first. A lot of actors who were in Doctor Who, have been in Bugs. The reason I like this show, is because I think the stories are well written. Also the music is very good in the show, the opening theme is short, but good. The organelle three actors who headed up the series, are a good pick and work well together.
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Severus_Snape66615 October 2004Bugs was way ahead of its time. When it hit the screens in 1995 on the BBC, nobody had seen anything quite like it. Quirky characters and multitudes of gizmos, gadgets, weaponry, bombs, explosions and not to mention baddies! The show pivoted around its three main characters, Ros, Ed and Beckett, the gadget making one, the daredevil and the team leader. Together they stormed their way through devious plots and baddies, all trying (unsuccessfully) to kill them. The highest point of Bugs for me has always been series two (the plots with the vengeful criminal mastermind Jean-Daniel, thrown in prison by the Bugs team at the end of series one), and, of course, most people's favourite, the end of series 3 'Renegades', when the will they-won't they storyline between Ros and Becket, which had been hinted at since series 2, was finally resolved. Unfortunately, when Craig McLachlan decided not to rejoin the cast for series four, the makers of Bugs sought a replacement and found one in Steven Houghton...well, I suppose there were some similarities...they both had blonde hair. Any others? Uh...no. Steven Houghton was so far off the mark with his portrayal of a once fantastic character that viewers who loved the show turned it off (and the BBC made the unforgivable decision of airing it at 6pm), and so, when series four came to a close with a whopper of a cliffhanger (intending to carry on with the show and not leave it hanging with such an ungraceful ending), suddenly, it was decided to leave the series as it was...and so, the story will never be finished. People might be interested to learn that Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films) appears (albeit briefly) in a series four episode.
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dpudework23 July 2011i agree with the comments, but i think the way season 4: ep 10 ended, there shouldn't leave or have left like that.. i think they bring it back again with the same actors and actresses.
i mean why did they stop it the first place. and why did Craig leave after season 3, who knows, i wish they continued it, as i love the program in those days. and hoping to see them again, and also the same cast...
shell we start a campaign to bring it back??? shame the website went down and there's not a lot of info on the actors and actresses. its like they don't exist.. -
mulan26 April 1999Who says only the US can come up with good action shows ?? "Bugs" is thrilling, captivating and intelligent - simply great fun... I especially enjoy the characters development - it´s not as shallow as might be seen in other shows of this kind. If you have never watched it - do so if you possibly can - it´s definitely worth it... ;-)
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Alexander_romulus25 July 2004When I first started watching bugs when I was about 9, I through it was one of the best programs around. However as I got older the shows cracks started to show, the sometimes rather poor special effects and general things that did not make sense.
However, when Bugs was at its best it really did quite well, for example the "Cyberax" storyline really captured my imagination and when they did get round to doing the Special effects right, they did them well. I still enjoy watching the show on DVD and to me, it still has not lost its charm despite the noticeable errors.
It is my opinion that the show should be remembered well because of how fun it was. Bugs may not have lived up completely to the standards of cool gadgets and supper villains of James Bond or the Avengers, but it still packed some very interesting characters and organisations, i.e. "Jean Daniel" and "The Hive".
P.S Why did Craig McLachlan leave the show after series three??? -
Kinitawowi10 December 1999I used to be a devotee of this show; every Saturday night without fail was spent watching BBC 1's finest Saturday night show (admittedly there wasn't much competition). I loved it; the bangs, the fires, the fights, the hi-tec gadgetry.
And then I stopped.
What happened?
Steve Houghton. There is NO WAY he should ever have been brought into the show; Craig McLachlan was infinitely better as Ed, bringing some humour into the role and convincing viewers that he was a vaulable member of the team. Steve seems to convey the impression of being there just to make up the numbers. Sorry Steve fans out there, but he just isn't right for this show, and it was highly unsurprising that the show was axed. And a shame too, because it was once a great show. -
Well, Bugs started off with all the promise in the world. Season one was about finding its feet, which it did quite nicely by season two. The end of the second season was fantastic, and we all thought nothing could better it. Wrong. Season three gave the characters personal lives and a whole new situation. It became one of the most watchable shows in the usually dead end summer holidays. But we know what comes before a fall. And season four was definitely that. Changes in actors, naff schedules led many people to switch off what once had us reaching for the 'on' button on a Saturday night.
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a_gulliver29 September 2003The first series, apart from the epsiode "Assasins Inc." I thought was very good. For the first time in many years the BBC had applied a proper budget to a drama programme and added an element of SF/fantasy. Brian Celmins (who helped devise The Avengers) was a story consultant and the whole thing worked well.
After that things tended to go downhill, with the scripts getting less believable even though today, some years on, the idea of a computer virus attempting to take over the world through the internet isn't quite as far-fetched as we thought!
There were some entertaining episodes in later years but the ratings dropped from an excellent 9-10 million in the first series to more like 6 million I believe, and the BBC pulled the plug after four series. -
sammyb10 April 1999the premise of this series is very good and the original cast of Jaye Griffiths,Jesse Birdsall and Craig Mclachlan are charismatic. The show has a very distinctive look and yet somehow the episodes are tepid and uninvolving.It is not just the reliance on technobabble or the poorly-staged action and stunts.The series is simply less than the sum of its parts.The problem was compounded in later years as changes to the format meant that the number of recurring characters was almost doubled and the already thin plotlines were spread pretty thinly between them. The final straw came when Craig Mclachlan left and was replaced by Steven Houghton as the same character.He was simply a dull wet piece of wood and enjoyed none of the rapport with his colleagues which had come naturally to his predecessor. The audience turned away in droves and the BBC stopped transmitting halfway through the series.
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smiley-3226 June 1999In 1995, the BBC has come up with a new TV series "BUGS". It's supposed to be a 90's version of the Avengers or something.
Unfortunately, most of the series I've seen has failed to live up to its standard. Special effects, big bangs (that go off for no reason), hi-tech gadgetry, etc. is certainly well down below par.
The characters are not really realistic and I must say Jaye Griffiths dosen't really look like if she's really into the part. More like she's lost in space...
All-in-all, the series may've got off to a good start but then it started to decline with the viewers switching over the other TV programmes.
Although it hasn't done well in the last series, I don't think the BBC would get another chance to come up such pappy show such as this one..! -
I only vaguely remember watching bugs as a child when i was 9 in fact and i have recently brought series 1 of Bugs on DVD. I have to admit that i had forgotten about it for years, when recently whilst browsing on the internet i found Bugs and thought 'yes i use to watch that, and loved it'. I thought why not invest in the 1st series of Bugs and see if i can remember any of the story lines. Of course i didn't but the fact was it was a head of its time and you could argue that the equivalent today is Spooks on the BBC , which again i love.
I have to admit that I've loved watching the old programmes on DVD, the programme is similar to Spooks but it is obviously got its own unique make up of which is great to see again. Without spooks on at the moment I'm really enjoying watching the old team on DVD. Does any one know what they are all doing now? Could they not be repeated on the BBC again? It would make my day if they could!