Ace of Wands ran for two seasons of thirteen episodes and a third season of twenty. The first two seasons have been wiped, although the final season is intact. In the first two series Tarot is assisted by Sam Maxstead, a reformed convict and Lillian Palmer known by her nickname, Lulli, an orphan. Lulli shares a telepathic link with Tarot, which enables them to communicate over great distances. After having to leave the programme because of prior commitments, in the final series this pair were replaced by brother and sister Chas, a photographer, and Mikki, a female journalist, who have very similar roles, she also sharing a telepathic link with Tarot. A character named Mr Sweet who runs an antiquarian bookshop often has the answer to Tarot's questions. Sweet is based in a university for the last series. Mr. Stabs, played by Russell Hunter, is defeated by Ace of Wands's lead Tarot, yet returns, again played by Hunter, in an episode of the anthology series Shadows. The character's final appearance was in Dramarama, this time portrayed by David Jason. However, the Dramarama story was a prequel to the previous ones. A DVD of all existing episodes was released by Network UK in July 2007 and features a new documentary in 3 parts by classic television enthusiasts and experts Andrew Pixley and Simon Coward. The theme song "Tarot", was written and performed by Andy Bown. It was available at the time as a single.
Episodes
Series 1 (29 July- 21 October 1970)
''One and One and One are Four''
3 episodes. Tarot is on the trail of a cure for paralysis which in the wrong hands, those of Madame Midnight and accomplice Teddy Talk, is a formidable weapon. With Frederick Peisley as Prof Ekdorf, David Prowse as Kal, Tony Caunter as Six, Daphne Heard as Ma Epps, Bruce Boa as Mr. America and Jan Conrad as Mr. Russia.
''The Mind Robbers''
4 episodes. Old adversary Senor Zandor has kidnapped two Government ministers and Tarot traces them to a mysterious house where he meets Fat Boy and some strange creatures. With Sheelah Wilcox as Miss Jelicoe, Geoffrey Lumsden as Sir William, Terry Walsh as Castor and Alan Chuntz as Pollux.
4 episodes. Master art thief Tun-Ju and accomplice Mrs Kite plan to steal the Mona Lisa. Featuring John Barron as Bartlett Bonnington, Reg Lye as Digger Farmer, Patrick McAlinney as Sir Patrick Landau, Diana King as Lady Landau and Tom Gan as Japanese bodyguard
Series 2 (21 July-13 October 1971)
''Seven Serpents, Sulphur and Salt''
3 episodes. Mr Stabs, an evil magician plans with the help of Polandi and servant Luko to steal the missing segment of the Secret Seven Serpents from Tarot. Featuring Jack Woolgar as Charlie Postle and Llewellyn Rees as Mr. Christopher.
3 episodes. Thalia and brother Dalbiac steal the deadly hallucinatory gas H23, a gas which causes a deep sleep and vivid nightmares from which the victim dies of shock after 23 minutes. Featuring Laurence Carter as Dr Winthrop, Lewis Wilson as Police Sergeant and Alan Chuntz as Trooper
4 episodes. Ceribraun decides to steal a huge diamond called the Eye of Ra which it is claimed will turn people into chalk and tracing him, Tarot is prisoner of a talking computer who plans to use giant chess pieces to crush him to death. Featuring Edward Jewesbury as Mr Quince, Nicholas Smith as Fredericks, Charles Morgan as the Computer.
Series 3 (19 July-29 November 1972)
''The Meddlers''
3 episodes. New assistants Chas and Mikki live in a flat overlooking a street market which is under a curse and involved in this is Mockers the local Prophet of Doom. Also - Paul Dawkins as Dove, Michael Standing as Spoon, Norma West as Chauffeuse and Stefan Kalipha as Drum.
''The Power of Atep''
4 episodes. Strange dreams after a meeting with medium John Pentacle leads Tarot and companions to Egypt where in Atep's tomb he encounters a High Priest and double, Quabel. With Michael Rose as a tramp, Joe Dunlop as Fergus Wilson.
''Peacock Pie''
3 episodes. Mr Peacock has the irresistible power of suggestion where torn strips of paper can become bank notes and people do things they do not want to do. With Jenny McCracken as Young Mrs. MacFadyean, Dorothy Frere as Mrs Macfadyean, Valerie Van Ost as the Manager.
''Mama Doc''
3 episodes. When one of Mr Sweet's colleagues vanishes, Tarot traces him to a bizarre Doll's Hospital where Mama Doc and assistant Bobby change real people into dolls. With Robert Grange as Prof. Dorian, Wendy Hamilton as Posy Peagram, Ivor Roberts as Dr. MacDonald.
''Sisters Deadly''
3 episodes. Chas returns from a photo assignment with no memory of the assignment or that he robbed a village post office, which leads Tarot into a plot to kidnap a NATO Commander-in-Chief. With Henrietta Rudkin as Mathilda Edginton, Bartlett Mullins as Postmaster, Sylvia Coleridge as Letty Edgington, James Bree as the Major.
''The Beautiful People''
4 episodes. Two beautiful girls Dee and Emm refuse Mikki entrance to a small town fete, which leads Tarot into an investigation of extraterrestrials with strange powers. With Edward Hammond as Jay, Kathleen Sainsbury as Elderly Woman.
