Luna (TV series) facts for kids

Luna was a fun British children's science fiction TV comedy show. It was made by Central Television for the ITV network. The show ran for two seasons in 1983 and 1984.

About the Show

The main character of the show was also named Luna. She was played by Patsy Kensit in the first season. Later, Jo Wyatt took over the role for the second season. The show was written by Colin Prockter and Colin Bennett. Colin Bennett also acted in the show.

Luna was created and produced by Micky Dolenz. He was a member of the famous pop group the Monkees. Dolenz shared that the idea for Luna came from his daughter, Ami. He had the idea way back in the late 1960s.

The show was set in the year 2040. It was about a very unusual family living together. The characters were not actually related by blood. Instead, they were assigned to live together by the government. Sometimes, the future world shown in the show was a bit scary. For example, in the first episode, Luna was in big trouble. She was threatened with a serious punishment for losing her citizen's ID card.

A cool part of the show was the special language called "techno-talk." All the characters used it. It was described as a new version of English. This language was made so that computers could understand people better. Techno-talk used new words made from parts of old English words. For example, a home was called a "habiviron." School was an "eduviron." A child was a "diminibeing," or just "dimini." Instead of "sorry," they said "regrets!" And for "thank you," they said "gratitudes!"

The first season of Luna was shown again right before the second season started. However, the show has not been repeated on TV since then.

Main Characters

Here are some of the main characters from the show:

• Luna (Season 1: 72-batch-19Y) - She is a kind and gentle "diminibeing" (child). Luna was raised in a "dimini colony." She doesn't know much about the "old world" (our time). But she is very curious to learn and wants to fit in. Andy likes her because she brings a "civilizing influence" to their home. Andy gave her the name Luna. He chose it because she was "batched" (born) on the moon.
• Brat (3G-batch-19Y) - He is a smart but sometimes annoying male "diminibeing." Brat is younger than Luna. He is very intelligent and good with machines. He can fix most of the gadgets in their home. But he can also be very spoiled and selfish. He even tried to get Andy and Luna replaced! He doesn't want to learn about the old world. He always uses code numbers for the others, like "72" for Luna. Gramps gave him the name Brat during an argument.
• Gramps (WB1889U) - He is an older character who grew up in the "old world." He is the original person living in Habiviron Jo-Y. Gramps often has trouble understanding techno-talk. He hardly ever uses it himself. Andy usually helps translate for him. He doesn't really like sharing his home with children. But he puts up with them. Gramps has a secret collection of old world items in his room. These include teapots and board games. These items are now illegal to own. He never uses code numbers and can't even remember his own. He just calls himself "Gramps."
• Andy (CB1979D) - He is the home's android (robot). Andy is an older model and sometimes breaks down. The family could get a newer android. But Gramps keeps Andy because he knows Andy will put up with his "inefficient" ways. Andy knows a lot about the old world. He often quotes from Shakespeare or other old books. Most of the other characters don't recognize these quotes. Gramps named him Andy because he is an android.
• Mother (1984726SD) - This is the home's computer. She controls all the normal functions of the house. She also keeps Andy charged. "Mother" is Andy's nickname for her, and she doesn't like it!
• Jazzmine - Luna's alien pet. She is described as "a little simple" and comes from the planet Sim. Luna saved Jazzmine from a traveling junk trader who was treating her badly. Jazzmine can't speak. But she can do some complex tasks and has special healing powers.
• 80H - He is the sector "bureaubeing." 80H is in charge of the whole area. This includes giving out resources and making sure laws are followed. He has a lot of power over everyone in the sector. People call him "your burificence." When he arrives, Mother plays a special fanfare. He wears a shiny black suit and a black helmet that covers his whole face. He speaks in a harsh, robotic voice. But under the helmet, he's just a normal, stressed-out office worker. He finds the helmet uncomfortable and only wears it for official business. 80H is actually quite kind. He also remembers and likes the old world. But he has to follow the strict rules from his bosses. Many of the other adults knew him in the old world and still call him "Sid," which he hates.
• 40D - 80H's assistant in the first season.
• 32C - 80H's assistant in the second season.

Episode Adventures

Season One

• Ep1 - Habiviron, Sweet Habiviron': Brat and then Luna arrive at the home. Gramps is not happy about sharing his home with kids. He is already in trouble with 80H for having an illegal old world teapot. When 80H visits, Luna realizes she lost her ID card. Andy tries to hide it, but fails. 80H tells Luna she must show the card in 24 hours or be "obliviated" (removed). Andy and Luna search for the card. No one helps them. Gramps talks to 80H, asking him to be kind. 80H agrees, but the teapot is destroyed. Gramps gets angry about Luna's possible fate. 80H admits he doesn't like the task. Time runs out, and Luna goes to 80H. The "obliviator" door opens. But then Brat runs in with Luna's card! He says it was in her "zipclad" (clothing). It seems Brat took it and then felt bad. Luna is saved! 80H uses the card to stop his chair from wobbling.
• Ep2 - The Clunkman Cometh': A junk merchant called "The Clunkman" visits the home. Brat plans to sell Andy to him for a robot goldfish. He knows a new android would be sent. But Luna stops him. She is shocked by how The Clunkman treats his alien pet. After he leaves, she teleports onto his ship. She rescues the alien and names her Jazzmine. The Clunkman reports the missing alien to 80H. 80H has a toothache. He agrees to investigate in exchange for some illegal old world sweets. Brat tells 80H about Jazzmine. 80H tells Luna that aliens can't live in a static home. He goes to get The Clunkman to pick her up. When they arrive, Luna begs 80H to let Jazzmine stay. Jazzmine uses her healing powers to cure 80H's toothache! 80H agrees she can stay. But The Clunkman still wants her back or something in return. He first wants Andy. But he finally accepts one of Gramps' old world music records.
• Ep3 - All The World's A Teletalk Linkup
• Ep4 - Happy Batch Day Dear Luna
• Ep5 - Environmental Ambience Stable, Wish You Were Here': Luna feels bored. Andy suggests they go on holiday. They need travel permits from 80H. He is happy to give them. An important coordinator is visiting the sector. 80H worries their home looks "inefficient." They make plans. But 80H learns the coordinator will visit earlier. He gives them permits for the earlier time. This makes their bookings useless. There's no time for new ones. Gramps suggests camping instead. Brat finds a model VW Beetle. It can turn into a full-size car! But they find Jazzmine has no travel permit. 80H can't get her one. She's not officially allowed in the home. 40D agrees to use one of her permits. The group gets ready to leave. But the car doesn't work! Brat didn't know cars needed petrol, which is no longer available. As a last idea, they decide to camp inside their home. The coordinator arrives for his inspection. 80H is very worried. But the coordinator is happy to join in the camping fun!
• Ep6 - When Did You Last See Your Pater Batch Mix Doner

Season Two

• Ep1 - You Can't Judge a Videotalker by its Blurb
• Ep2 - Go Forth and Quadruplicate
• Ep3 - The Happiest Earth Revolves of Your Span
• Ep4 - It Isn't How You Vict or Slunk But How You Co-participate
• Ep5 - A Bureaubreau In The Hand Is Worth A Pension
• Ep6 - You're Only As Multi-Tocked As You Perceive

Fun Songs

Many episodes of Luna feature "techno-talk" versions of classic or old-time songs. Here are a few examples:

• I belong to 3540 (from I Belong to Glasgow) and Maybe it's because I'm a 3540er (from Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner), sung by The Clunkman in episode 1.2.
• I do like to be beside the Saline (from I Do Like To be Beside the Seaside) and We're Porting along on a Tidal Displacement (from We're Riding Along on the Crest of a Wave), sung by the whole group in episode 1.5.