Anyone else watching the UK show Survivors?

[MegoSteve]

My friend Todd recommended it to me because I like the comic Walking Dead which has a similar post-apocalyptic theme, though no zombies which is fine with me. It's the story of a group of survivors of a world-wide flu pandemic that kills more than 99% of the world's population. It was interesting because, which is has the usual post-apocalyptic approach of man's descent into savagery, it also has a hopeful tone without the typical relentless darkness. It also touches on themes of government intrusion, political corruption, scientific ethics and corporatism.

BBC America has only shown the first 3 episodes of the first series, but I managed to track down all 12 episodes (6 in the first series, 6 in the second). The show benefits tremendously from the British television's approach of having very short seasons, because unlike an American show like Heroes, the pacing is tighter, there isn't all that filler of people staring gooey eyed at each other and talking about their feelings (though there is some of that) and the stories unfold quickly without being drawn out to the point where either they just kind of peter out like a wet firecracker or you just lose interest because they never get to the payoff.

Highly recommended.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

Is that the new one or the 70's one?

Don C.

[Surfsup]

I've been watching this and have loved every episode, it's very gritty with some superb acting. So looking forward to series 3 now but will have to wait another year unfortunately. It's definately one of the best things on the BBC at the moment.

[MegoSteve]

It's a new one, Don. From what I understand, it doesn't strictly follow the older 1970s version... it's credited as an adaptation of the novelization of the original series.

[samurainoir]

Thanks for the heads up! Watching it now.

To further the Doctor Who connection, Martha Jones is in it.

[ctc]

>it's credited as an adaptation of the novelization of the original series

Wow.... does that even count as a remake....?

I've always wanted to see the original; even though I've been told it's one of the most bleak things ever committed to film.

Don C.

[wolfie]

I ve just finished watching series 2 of this and i really enjoyed it, i would recommend it to people to watch.

I agree that the much shorter seasons mean that the story gets on with it rather than messing about trying to fill 24 episodes or some such like Lost, Heroes etc.

[samurainoir]

It took a while to get into the "meat" of things in the initial extended episode, but I'm watching the third episode now and I'm assuming that all that set-up will have payoff.

I'm hoping that it will be a bit like Walking Dead in that the status quo is no status quo and that anybody and everybody is actually up for grabs by the Reaper or the fickle hand of fate at any time.

I do like the overarching conspiracy/mystery.

[Gorn Captain]

I like it a lot.
I just saw the final episode of season 2.
Who would have thought they'd all get kidnapped by aliens??


Seriously.
I think it's a good approach to trying to show how it might really be, if society collapsed, and we'd have to go all Mad Max.
Personally, I like the character of Tom most.
He's going on a real journey, and I like his more Wolverine approach to the situation.
I wouldn't want to be his friend, but he's more interesting than the "always do good" characters.
IMO, the do-gooders usually get their butts kicked over and over.

I recommend the show, but don't expect anything extravagant. They're going for realism, not Mad Max Thunderdome....

[MegoSteve]

That's another thing that I like about it... it's Britain so everyone isn't armed to the teeth, though there's plenty of gunplay to keep things interesting. If anything, the show is anti-violence as you can follow the repercussions of every violent act.

Oh, that and Abby Grant is a great character. Nice to see a strong female leader.

Has a third series been announced yet?

[samurainoir]

Just finished the first season finale. Very gripping.

Tom is such a wonderfully complex character. Love the way he was filmed in silhouette when Abbey confronts him about his past.

The coolest thing about the aliens reveal was when the ripped off their skin to reveal the lizard flesh underneath, but the baby hybrid alien looked totally like a muppet... oh wait I'm thinking of something else entirely.

Wasn't Paterson Joseph rumoured to be Doctor Who for the longest time before they announced Matt Smith? Between his performance in Neverwhere, and his role here, I think he would have made a great Doctor.

Brilliant stroke in taking out "mom" and "dad" in one fell swoop. That pretty much upsets the entire apple cart.

You guys are totally right about how lean a six episode season can be. I think about all the "filler" in a similar show like Jeremiah, and Survivors really trims off all the fat without the necessary repetition of "regular" extended seasons of television.

Very much looking forward to Season 2.