Paul and the Badger: Episodes 5 to 8

The Badger Series has issues and attempts, each episode, to resolve them. Recasting a glove puppet show through his own present day sensibilities, Paul assumes the role of kindly uncle mentor to a household of capersome woodland creatures. Mortality, self-sacrifice, depression, altered states of consciousness and transgressive art practices are all explored as part of their everyday lives together.

Meanwhile the show is mindful to adhere to the traditional structural formulae, with entertainment numbers and routines appropriate to the scaled down sitcom world that they occupy. The series is equal parts moral instruction and narrative play, mediated through the forced fit of an experimental filmmaker as children's entertainer.

Episode 5 (2008, 14:00) A surprise visitor in the garden sets the household to thinking about their origins.

Episode 6 (2009, 13:30 or 12:30) Back to nature after a glut of technology, which leads to discussions of Henry David Thoreau, sexuality, and a moral dilemma. This is a multi-choice ending episode (hence the differing running times).

Episode 7 (2009, 11:00) Whilst making a public information film, the household becomes fascinated by a prop microscope and the window it opens on to the world of microbes.

Episode 8 (2010, 12:00) The story behind Gustav the Dancing Robot and a consideration of identity and belonging. Book Club title: Frankenstein.

DVD Extra! Stamps (2007, 5:30) A consideration of stamps and their methods of adhesion. Episode 1 of a (potential) public information series, and the film we glimpse the 'making of' at the beginning of Episode 7.