Summary Long, long ago in Middleford, a small, safe, English suburban town, a stranger arrived with a secret -a secret that would wreak havoc and transform Middleford from a peaceful, domestic haven into a town of terror. The story begins on Bonfire Night 1983, as the ordinary citizens of Middleford go about their ordinary lives: Copper Wendy pops round the butcher's for some sausages and American beef burgers. Forensic scientist Martin shows newcomer Shauna around his laboratory. Wendy's boyfriend Colin tells his mate Anthony about aliens and gives him a copy of Invasion of the Killer Crabs. Later, Colin and Wendy quarrel while shopping for their Guy Fawkes sausage sizzle. Martin attends an Anti-American action group, where attendees are warned of fast food restaurants and American cultural imperialism. At the party, Colin grouses to Wendy about her inviting all of her boring, aggressive copper friends. Anthony tries to chat up a cornered Shauna. Driving up to the Close, Martin spots raw organs dripping from a sign. An unseen stranger lurks outside Wendy's flat. Martin looks for girlfriend Shirley, who is missing with his flatmate Graham. Colin storms out of Wendy's just as the stranger, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Donald Sutherland, arrives to use her telephone. Martin discovers a mysterious attaché case. Wendy doesn't realize that the American stranger is wearing a blood-stained shirt.

• Comedy
• Sitcom
• Sci-Fi