Mastermind: 1989
Season 17 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Mastermind Season 16.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 17 Progress Shield
Episode 1
Jan 15, 1989
Who will be Mastermind Champion 1989? That is the question. Hoping to have all the answers are the 64 contenders in this year's series The University College of Swansea is where th
Episode 2
Jan 22, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the University College of Swansea. This week four contenders from the South and West are in the hot seat. John Noel Banfield (retired MOD scientist) Th
Episode 3
Jan 29, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Salford. The search for the 1989 Mastermind champion moves to the north of England where four more hopefuls are in the spotlight. Myra
Episode 4
Feb 5, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Salford. Four people with a common aim - to be the 1989 Mastermind Champion. This week's heat is once again from the north of England.
Episode 5
Feb 12, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Glasgow. This week four Scottish contestants compete for a semi-final place. Michael Weir (civil servant) History of Golf at St Andre
Episode 6
Feb 19, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from University of Glasgow. John Fleming (social worker) Scottish Wars of Independence, 1292-1330; William Donnelly (smallholder) Life and Travels of Marco P
Episode 7
Feb 26, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from Redbridge Community School, Southampton. This week's contenders: Ian Verber (hospital doctor) The Life and Works of George Orwell; Hilary Potts (violin
Episode 8
Mar 5, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from Redbridge Community School, Southampton. Four southerners compete for a semi-final place as the search continues for the Mastermind champion. The hopefu
Episode 9
Mar 12, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from Queen Mary College, University of London. The spotlight is on four more contestants aspiring to be the 1989 champion. Peter Shirtcliffe (ship's cook) Wo
Episode 10
Mar 19, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from Queen Mary College, University of London. Four more contestants take up the challenge. Christopher Mann (author and publisher) The Life and Campaigns of
Episode 11
Mar 26, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the Cheltenham Ladies' College Richard Harris (insurance official) History of Communism in Eastern Europe from 1935; Gill Reid (housewife) The Life and
Episode 12
Apr 2, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the Cheltenham Ladies' College Tom Bean (farmer) History of the Commonwealth and Protectorate 1649-60; Julie Tedds (knitwear designer) The Life and Work
Episode 13
Apr 9, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the Royal College of Music. Four more contestants compete for a place in the semi-final. Anne Miller (assistant library manager) Life and Works of Lewis
Episode 14
Apr 16, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the Royal College of Music David Carroll (electrician) Wars of the Roses; Charles Tod (retired bookseller) European Torpedo Boats and Destroyers to 1945
Episode 15
Apr 23, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the Museum of Army Transport, Beverley. Halfway through the 17th series, Mastermind reaches its 300th edition. Ian Sutton (accountant) Wines of Europe;
Episode 16
Apr 30, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the Museum of Army Transport, Beverley. The four contenders for the last semi-final place are: Peter North (management consultant) British Butterflies;
Episode 17
May 7, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. The first of the semi-finals with four formidable contenders hoping to receive a place in the final. Mary Elizab
Episode 18
May 14, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. The second semi-final, and four more contenders are hoping to secure a place in the final. William Donnelly (sma
Episode 19
May 21, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the Speech Room, Harrow School. The third semi-final with fourmore hopeful contenders. Malcolm Robertson (composer) Life and works of Ralph Vaughan Will
Episode 20
May 28, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson from the Speech Room. Harrow School. The fourth semi-final and four more contenders hoping to secure a place in the final. Roger Woods (farmer) The Cornish M
Episode 21
Jun 4, 1989
with Magnus Magnusson The last semi-final from the Speech Room, Harrow School. There is only one place left in the final, and it will be taken by one of the 'best of the runners-up
The Final Five
Jun 7, 1989
For 17 years Boswell Taylor has supervised, co-ordinated and edited all the specialist questions for Mastermind yet he denies that he's the fount of all knowledge that some might b
The Final
Jun 11, 1989
The Final with Magnus Magnusson from the University of Warwick Who will be Mastermind Champion 1989? That question is answered tonight in what promises to be a fiercely fought fi