Time Commander (BBC4) - TV Review - War Games

Time Commanders (BBC4) is back on our TV screen last night and I am so geeky this is my kind of TV only problem is it has had a make over so I was hoping it still floated my boat. The first two series were hosted by Eddie Mair and latterly by Richard Hammond originally broadcast on BBC2. Gregg Wallace now presents the new series who is kind of Mr Marmite man of British TV some people really do not like him.

It is the same show with a few tweaks but one favourite historian/presenter is now a she, not a he, but still throwing out the facts that is all that matters.

Back on our screens after the last show aired in 2005 we now have two teams going head to head in a total war based recreation of a famous (or infamous) battle from history. Last night we were offered the key battle between Rome and Carthage, with the board gamers (Posh Boys) taking on the role of the former and wrestlers the latter. Yes wrestlers.

The teams had a small skirmish battle to get the feel of their forces and test out battle manoeuvres and the like before the big battle. Carthage when first after we get a little history lesson about one of their key troops, the Balearic slingers. Then the Romans turn to get the feel of their troops and we learn about their cavalry. Base on this short burst of activity the wrestlers may have the edge.

Studio Layout

To the battle of Zama which saw victory to Rome but could that be about to change with this re-run of history.

After scouting out the opposition, we are go! But both teams parked their troops in defence sitting waiting for their opponent to go first. The army of Rome soon got bored, made the first move, and soon nullified the Carthage elephants after they were sent in without the infantry support leading to a massacre. Every sane general knows you never send in your heavy armour without infantry support.

Now it comes down to cavalry vs cavalry, with Rome having the larger one...which doesn’t look good, until Carthage get it together, regroup their infantry and do some serious damage to Rome with their Balearic slingers, ending up in a stalemate with each side winning and losing on a different flank.

Carthage’s troops are running low, so in a last ditch attempt they go after Rome’s commander and get him! Unfortunately, it is too late in the battle for the death of Scipio to turn the tables significantly, and Hannibal falls soon after. Ultimately, Carthage are overwhelmed and the battle goes the same way as history, although with far, far greater losses to Rome.

I must say Gregg Wallace was lively jumping around the studio. When he took a little pop at the Posh Boys they responded with polite sarcasm, when Gregg yelled that the Romans were about to rout, their commander snapped: ‘Thank you very much, sir, you are incredibly helpful and I am incredibly appreciative of it. Naughty corner for Mr Wallace.