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Survivors – Series
One
Based on
the original novel and TV series by Terry Nation, Survivors
is a modern reinterpretation of his ideas and even though many elements
here mirrors the popular TV series Lost, Survivors was here first.
The story is set in the not so distant future which has seen the Earth
devastated by a modern apocalypse, more specifically a deadly virus that
has wiped out most of humanity.
In the
ashes, a group of survivors have banded together that includes Abby
Grant (Julie Graham), the main protagonist of the series who is looking
for her son, Tom Price (Max Beesley), a prisoner who escapes from prison
after the virus struck and Greg Preston (Paterson Joseph), a longer and
survivalist. As the plot progress, they are joined by Dr. Anya Racyznski
(Zoe Tapper), a doctor who still cannot grasp the disaster, Al Sadiq
(Phillips Rhys), an Arab Playboy, Najid Hanif (Chahak Patel), an 11-year
old Muslim and finally Sarah Bowyer (Robyn Addison), a women who uses
her body to get what she wants. Needless to say, it's quite a mixed
group of individuals who actually develop a strong loyalty to the group.
If you have seen the original, the line-up has definitely changed with
the times.
For some
unexplained reason, this group of survivors are immune to the virus and
because they all come from such a diverse background, it creates some
tensions among the group. This is the highlight of the series as the
viewer is given a first hand insight into how each of these people cope
and interpret the events that have and will happen. Like Lost, the
characters behind Survivors are a group of attractive Brits
which does make relating to them a little easier, even though they are a
little too shiny at times but each has their own motivations and
histories which makes the story so enjoyable to watch.
With
that said, Survivors Series 1 establishes the characters well as they
attempt to find water, food and shelter in this devastated world that
has seen everything that mankind has built destroyed. To compound the
situation for our unlikely group of heroes, other people have survived
as well which has caused a dog eat dog mentally and whereas order once
reigned supreme, it has been replaced with chaos. Although many of the
episodes can be watched as standalone episodes, there are intricate
themes that overlap and continue throughout the series 1 which makes you
want to keep watching.
However
at times, some episodes feel a little disjointed from the main premise
but thankfully this the good overwhelm the bad. In relation to the good,
Survivors was a gripping science fiction TV series due to the
characterisation and how each of them dealt differently with what
happened, including the psychological repercussions that they face. From
violent gangs to religious cults, the world of Survivors is not the
nicest place to live but in this grim and gritty world, there are a few
heroes out there.
On DVD,
the video quality is quite impressive and the BBC have never let us down
when it comes to perfect picture quality. Add in Dolby Digital 5.1 and
you almost have a movie like treat but at 420 minutes, it’s definitely
better value for money.
Compared to much dribble coming out of the US, Survivors
Series One is definitely a must watch series if you are after a thinking
man’s science fiction series like Lost but without all the metaphysical
questions and railroading. It’s a very well made series on DVD that puts
shows like The Sarah Connor Chronicles and V to shame. It’s must have
viewing…bring on Series 2! |
