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A made-for-thrills ITV drama set in the world of genetic
engineering. A maniac is on the loose in the wilds of Cumbria after a
massacre at a top secret research clinic. Journalist Peter Carson's
girlfriend, Tracy, is among the victims, but when he attempts to
investigate, he is drawn into a nightmare of secrecy, violence and
hostility. Sensing a Government cover-up, he embarks on a quest to uncover
the secret of the massacre. It soon becomes clear to all involved that
this is to be no ordinary manhunt. The 'maniac', the Chimera of the title,
takes refuge on a nearby farm, where the bodies of the farmer and his
wife, the Gaskells, are later found. Their two children, not knowing the
full danger, look after the Chimera, until it is found by Carson and
Alison, with dogged policeman Schaffer refusing to be left out of the
chase. It transpires that the Chimera, half-human half-ape, is a product
of Dr Jenner's experiments to create a super-strong slave race for general
labouring work. But the Chimera, called Chad, has developed further than
Jenner expected, and bristles at the idea of being terminated so that the
next batch of pre-production slaves can be created. Unfortunately, his
treatment and condition have combined to make him emotionally unstable,
and very dangerous. The ending is bloody but not surprising, as the
Government containment squad moves in.
The clinic staff and their patient Mrs Forester are seen
and killed off in the first episode which concentrates mainly on them.
Thereafter, they are seen only in flashbacks which expand on the details
known by the viewer. The Chimera itself is seen only in glimpses until the
end of episode three, where his full form is revealed to the audience.
Actor John Lynch was best known at the time for his leading role in the
film Cal, and Kenneth Cranham starred in the ITV comic saga Shine
On Harvey Moon. Episode timings include commercial breaks. Chimera
was edited for an ITV two-hour 'movie' repeat on 7th August 1994.
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Writer: Seven Gallagher, based on his novel
Producer: Lawrence Gordon-Clark
Director: Nick Gillott
Music: Unknown
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An LWT Production for ITV
4 colour 60-minute episodes
7th - 28th July 1991
(ITV)
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