Codename Icarus is a five-part British television serial produced by the BBC. Combinijg elements of teen drama and Cold War era conspiracy thriller, young prodigy Martin Smith is recruited by the mysterious Icarus Foundation, a shadowy organisation that exploits gifted children to develop advanced weapons, including a 'quark bomb'. The serial was broadcast twice-weekly, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 8-9 December, 15-16 December, and 22 December. It is well remembered for being intelligent and hard-hitting, respectful of its young audience, and tackling complex themes, primarily the militarisation of science.
CreatorRichard Cooper
Part 1
Dec 8, 1981
Royal Navy missile tests are failing mysteriously. Martin Smith, a maths prodigy at a school unable to recognise his talents, is noticed by the Icarus Foundation via his secretive use of the school computer to research pure mathematics.
Part 2
Dec 9, 1981
Martin tries to settle in at Falcon Lee with its bizarre teaching methods, tutors, pupils and games. Meanwhile, British intelligence realise that child prodigies may be doing the research that no one else is doing.
Part 3
Dec 15, 1981
Falcon Lee turns up the pressure on Martin and British intelligence is warned off investigating them. Martin and Sue begin to understand that the challenges set for them by John Doll are pieces of a bigger puzzle they can't see.
Part 4
Dec 16, 1981
British intelligence infiltrates Falcon Lee and Martin tries to leave but his mental conditioning stops him. Martin's family become concerned about his lack of communication and his brother tries to contact him.
Part 5
Dec 22, 1981
British intelligence springs Martin and Sue from Falcon Lee. It becomes apparent that Falcon Lee has friends in high places with school across the globe. The head of Icarus makes one last attempt to tempt Martin back.
