From TES issue 32 (March 2005)

Series 7/8
LISSARD

Who could forget Lord Fear's amphibious seneschal from the final two series? Somewhere under all the green make-up was actor Clifford Barry, who also played Raptor and Brother Strange. Lissard loved to concoct devious plans that his master could use in his war against the Powers that Be, and he became Lord Fear's confidant, constantly appearing in spyglass sequences to discuss Fear's evil plans with him. Lissard was the first character to appear in series 7, and his first appearance was very much like the vast majority of his subsequent appearances - lisping "ness" a lot and discussing the Opposition's plans with Lord Fear. Lissard had apparently been sent to Knightmare from Atlantis, the lost continent, hence his amphibious nature. He had bad breath from eating fish, which Lord Fear constantly teased him about: "They ought to call you tuna breath; you smell like something the cat brought up." - Lord Fear.
Unfortunately, that's about as far as Lissard went. Don't get me wrong here, readers - I like Lissard and enjoy his appearances on the programme, but I do have a major criticism of him - he was a very one-dimensional character. The role I have already described as Lord Fear's confidant was all there was to Lissard - that, and nothing else. As a long-term viewer of Knightmare in September 1993, I was expecting great things from Lissard, a fantastically striking character with a genuinely threatening presence in both his appearance and his manner. It was satisfying to see him continuing the role as chalk to Lord Fear's cheese in spyglass sequences, which Skarkill had started towards the end of series 6. Disappointingly, however, that's as far as it went. Lissard could have had some great scenes with dungeoneers, and played a solid, satisfying part in quests but, sadly, it was not to be.

Lissard did, of course, have one brief appearance in the Dungeon. During Barry's quest, he appeared for a few seconds before uttering a couple of short lines and then scampering straight off. What a wasted opportunity for some banter with Barry! Before and after that, though, he was confined to spyglasses.

Still, having said that, Lissard and Lord Fear made a good partnership. They concocted some interesting plans together, and the two were involved in some good scenes. As far as Lissard went, he was a fresh, engaging and enjoyable character, but it would have been good to have seen him go further.

Fear Factor: 7 A strikingly hideous character.
Killer Instinct: 0 Never given the slightest chance.
Humour Rating: 5 Often had an evil laugh with Lord Fear.
Oscar Standard: 8 Certainly a memorable performance.

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