Period mini-series.

The eponymous short story by Alexandros Papadiamantis comes to life on the small screen. The four-episode drama mini-series "Watchman on the Quarantined Ships" (Βαρδιάνος στα Σπόρκα), directed by Manousos Manousakis and aired by ERT, transports viewers to the ambiance and atmosphere of a bygone era in the mid-19th century.

The Story…
Papadiamantis' short story narrates the tale of 50-year-old Skevo. Upon learning that her son Stavros, who has embarked as a boatswain to earn money and marry his beloved Rinio, has fallen ill, Skevo disguises herself as a man and becomes a vardianos (guard) at the sporka (quarantined ships due to cholera) to save him.

The situation is dire. Ships attempting to return to the harbor are denied entry. Quarantine… The residents are gripped by fear. Divisions arise—should they save others or themselves? Meanwhile, Stavros is wasting away…

The series vividly portrays the mother’s unwavering determination to overcome every obstacle in quarantine to save her son from death, capturing the essence of Papadiamantis' work.

Production Details
The script adaptation is penned by Stavros Avdoulos and Eirini Ritsoni.

The lead role of the elderly Skevo is played by Renia Louizidou, with Giorgos Savvidis as her son Stavros. Jenny Kazakou stars as Rinio, Stavros' sweetheart.

Additional cast members include Petros Xekoukis as Stathis Chercheris, Rinio's father; Takis Vamvakidis as Barba-Nikas, Skevo's in-law; and Pavlos Kourtidis as Captain Konstantis, Chercheris' close associate, among others. Maria Kavoukidi portrays Vasiliki, Rinio's mother and Chercheris’ wife.

Stavros' condition is serious. Skevo steps up her efforts to find a way to get close to him. At the same time, life on the island has changed completely. The fear of illness has a major impact on the small society. Some people try to exploit the need of those who are on quarantine, in order to make money, others turn into monsters, going against whoever asks for shelter on the island, because on the ships people are dying. Of course, there are also those who tend to the unfortunate.
Mastro-Chercheris leaves for Tsougkrias and starts building the wooden shacks, while promoting his daughter's engagement. She is adamant. Her heart belongs to Stavros. She confesses her feelings to Skevo, She tells her that she wants to go to the quarantine station to find him. Skevo advises her to do nothing. Instead, she makes sure that she will be the one to go. Rinio's mother, when she realizes what is really going on with her daughter, sends a message to her husband. From that moment, Chercheris, who loves his daughter deeply, starts to take interest in Stavros' condition.
With great effort, Skevo persuades Nikas to help her. He, in turn, pleads with his boss, the foreman of the quarantine station, to take in another guard, a relative of his. Ronimos, that is, the foreman, does him a favor and therefore Skevo, dressed as a man, goes to report to the council, in order to get permission. The question is whether she will be convincing and whether her ploy will prove successful.
In the end, with great difficulty, Skevo is admitted by the council and is appointed a guard on the sporka. And on the ship where her son is, at that.