As the oppressive summer heat descends upon the Emirates and residents ditch the beach for the box set, expect to hear friends debating the relative virtues of their favourite series with earth-shattering degrees of priority and significance. But mega-budget espionage thrillers and cutting-edge comedies won't be part of my viewing schedule this summer. I've become enchanted by the bizarre American shows that were made with the post-Second World War generation in mind. And although they were certainly not high-budget by today's standards, they were defiantly cutting-edge.
I'm talking about series such as The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits and the original Star Trek. While these charming 1960s sci-fis will be familiar to readers of a certain age, many who, like me, were born in the 1980s, will be less well acquainted. Sure, Star Trek has only grown in recognition by successfully replicating itself over the decades, but the other shows are known best by my generation because of their influence, rather than the episodes themselves.
These programmes were so much more than excuses to dress actors in rubber alien costumes - particularly The Twilight Zone, which was usually more concerned with mystery than fantasy. With a completely new story and set of characters each week, the show was essentially a collection of 30-minute morality plays, based around simple "what if?" ideas. As well as being hugely imaginative, the episodes' brevity enforced some of the leanest, most highly distilled drama in TV history.
But the greatest pleasure that I derive from watching such series comes from imagining what American families in the mid-1960s would have thought, as they sat down to eat their meatloaf. Although these sci-fis clearly had the horrors of the early 20th century in mind - often focusing on paranoia and potential abuses of science - they also embodied a sense of wide-eyed optimism about the future of the human race.
Their writers seemed to believe that we could reach for the stars while simultaneously solving all of the world's ills - something that today feels naive at best and at worst, slightly tragic. Perhaps it's the recent challenges that western capitalism has suffered, or the feelings of futility that one can derive from current events, that make me so nostalgic for an era that I never even experienced - a time when anything seemed possible. But just because the decades that followed these shows did not bring world peace or prosperity for all, it doesn't mean that sense of optimism is not worth reliving.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival