Survivors - Series 2 - Complete (DVD)

...back to basics reality. The Survivors told the story of a Chinese scientist who spread a flu like virus across the world, the result of this was that only one in every 10,000 people was immune to the virus, those that got the virus died.

If you believe the rumours the second series of Survivors comes shrouded in irony. The shows creator and script writer Terry Nation having obliterated his other show Doctor Who in the charts during ...
...head man, while he wanted Survivors to be successful he soon realised that there was not space in the ratings for two cult shows. This combined with a series of argument apparently caused Nation to leave. As he did however Tom Baker took over the helm as Doctor Who and that show shot back up the charts, as it shot up Survivors shot down. The reason for Survivors failing ratings? The disposal of its lead character, and the fact that Survivors went ... more

It was the inspiration for the movie 28 Days Later, and ran for 3 years during the mid 1970’s; Terry Nation the creator of Doctor Who had done it again, this time in the form of a world forced into a back to basics reality. The Survivors told the story of a Chinese scientist who spread a flu like virus across the world, the result of this was that only one in every 10,000 people was immune to the virus, those that got the virus died.

If you believe the rumours the second series of Survivors comes shrouded in irony. The shows creator and script writer Terry Nation having obliterated his other show Doctor Who in the charts during the Survivors first season allegedly turned his seat in as the shows head man, while he wanted Survivors to be successful he soon realised that there was not space in the ratings for two cult shows. This combined with a series of argument apparently caused Nation to leave. As he did however Tom Baker took over the helm as Doctor Who and that show shot back up the charts, as it shot up Survivors shot down. The reason for Survivors failing ratings? The disposal of its lead character, and the fact that Survivors went from being a Sci-Fi thriller into a serious spin of self sufficiency show The Good Life.

Initially the show followed the exploits of Abby Grant (Carolyn Seymour), Jenny Richards (Lucy Fleming), and Greg Preston (Ian McCullough); but Carolyn Seymour’s behaviour the previous year which consisted of drunken and anti-social behaviour meant Abby Grant was dropped as the shows lead. Greg Preston stood in to fill the gap as the shows lead role with Jenny falling into third place; the second lead role went to the character Charles Vaughan (Dennis Lill) who had starred in the previous series in an episode called Corn Dolly.

In the first series the Survivors woke to a world without Electricity, and with a slowly diminishing supply of food. The Cities became out of bounds as they were filled with vermin and terrible side illnesses which had evolved from the original virus. Abby, Greg and Jenny set up a sort of Commune just outside Gloucester; there week by week they were joined by a host of new characters who became leads in episodes specifically designed for them. Abby was bogged down by a quest for her son Peter who she had not seen since the plague spread the land. And as series one wrapped she went off in search of Peter, while the commune celebrated the arrival of Ruth a trainee doctor, all seemed good for our Survivors.

Series 2

Birth Of Hope

When Greg travels to Whitecross to trade with Charles, the commune has a terrible tragedy in a freak fire the house is burned to the ground and more than half the survivors are killed. But all is not lost, Jenny has fallen pregnant with Greg’s baby, and there are hopes that this could be the beginning of a new generation of post flu Britain.

Birth Of Hope followed a similar passage as the first series, although personally the disposal of some of the core characters seemed a little rushed in my view. The fire itself was a bit of a damp squib and an opportunity to create some real adrenalin pumped entertainment was lost forever.

Greater Love

As romance blossoms between Paul and Ruth, Jenny falls terribly ill. The after effects and basic delivery factors involved in the birth of Jenny’s baby meant that Jenny become overcome with infection. In order to save Jenny, Paul heads to Birmingham to obtain some much needed medical supplies.

Again the momentum here stayed similar to the first series; however there was the same element of rushed storytelling that we had been recently acquainted with. The story however remains the second most moving of the shows entire three year run. No comment is ever addressed to the fact that Ruth had been replaced by another actress ;o)

Lights Of London

This two part story finds one of our Survivors a little out of sorts having been recently bereaved. When two travellers arrive saying that Abby needs this persons help, they are more than happy to go with them. But as there journey continues our originally eager helper becomes less eager as it transpires that they have been deceived. The purpose of their captive is to aid 500 London survivors in their travels to The Isle Of Wight.

This story was pretty good, fairly heavily paced and easily film style material. As the captive begins to give up the hope of rescue, two of the new commune’s residents turn up to save the day. There is a great cameo role from Doctor Who, and Only Fools And Horses star Roger Lloyd Pack in one of his first acting roles, he is almost unrecognisable. This two part story gave the viewer the opportunity to see what had only ever been hinted at, that was the desperate horrible state of affairs in the countries Cities.

Face Of The Tiger

The arrival at Whitecross of Alistair brings jubilation amongst the commune’s residents, who had for some time only seemed to be saying goodbye to people. But this jubilation is soon wiped off the residents mind as it’s revealed that Alistair is a convicted child killer; and when one of the children goes missing it seems that Alistair has been up to his old tricks again.

When you consider when the show was made, this is an incredibly near the knuckle episode, that was bound to cause issues with viewers. The cold hearted approach to Alistair’s warm hearted appeal to change comes across as being incredibly intense. As with the previous years murder story and subsequent trial, Greg finds himself potentially an executioner which really plays on your mind, especially given the shocking revelation about the previous years similar tale.

The Witch

When loner Mina spurns the advances of dirty old tramp Hubert, he retaliates by telling the others that she is a witch. And when John and Lizzie see Mina making what look like voodoo dolls, recent events and Hubert’s story add some realism to his claims. When a witch hunt begins, Mina runs off with a baby, meaning that the others face a stormy night hunting the woods before its too late.

This is a really annoying story, possibly the most annoying of the series, if not simply for the arrival of Mina, who seems to disappear for most of the series after this episode, despite being cleared of said offenses. The series really stepped down a gear and this comes off as being more soap opera than science fiction.

A Friend In Need

When Greg and Charles try to form an association with other nearby communities, the meeting is disrupted by a murder, throwing all the good plans aside. When it transpires that this could be a serial killer, Jenny is used as bait to try and lure the killer into a trap.

This is by far the most interesting stories of this series, and it’s at times incredibly distressing; especially when you discover who the killer is, and the sub plot given to develop their story. With Jenny’s diminished appearance in the show it seemed fairly likely that she might be the killer’s next victim instead of bait. But all was not lost as the BBC initially broadcast a message before the show to explain that her small role was down to her having children of her own. Back to the main story and you’d be hard pushed to find a story of this quality in the pre-watershed ratings nowadays. The show was interestingly written and Directed by Ian McCullough who plays Greg.

By Bread Alone

When Lewis arrives in Whitecross, his unusual manner creates suspicions. And when his secret is finally revealed most of the people of Whitecross are far to concerned with Lewis, and trying to help him; whilst leaving a massive issue to erupt causing the demise of the crops.

This shows incredibly interesting concept (which I wont draw on in case I ruin the story for a potential buyer) does make you pose the question “what would you do?” While the idea was good, the delivery was dull and you could easily believe that you were watching another 70’s classic All Creatures Great And Small.

The Chosen

Charles and his partner Pet travel off in search of salt, but on their travels they encounter two vagrants who fall incredibly ill. When the four arrive in a small community, they discover the birth of a new fascist dictatorship.

While the story sounds promising, the show had steered out of control, and this incredibly dull story answers few of the questions it poses. It was dull and monotonous, and in my view the worst show of the series.

Parasites

When a date fails to show at Mina’s two men appear in the dates place, both in possession of the date’s things. When Pet realises one of the men’s sinister past, from a pre-apocalypse world it could be a fight for the inhabitant’s life.

This action packed show pulls things back on track as the series reaches its finale. It also answers a few long burning questions and allows some severed relationships to be re-forged.

New Arrivals

The members of a failed community come to join Whitecross; but when Arthur and Jack contract the same disease that wiped out the other community it soon is clear a terrible mistake has occurred.

The show takes a sharp dive again as all the new characters are truly awful, worse still two come in the form of Peter Duncan (ex Blue Peter presenter), and Linda Robson (Birds Of The Feather) both looking more youthful than I have ever seen them before. It’s a sad turn of events that follows for one of the characters, and we are reminded that anyone in the world of Survivors is dispensable.

Over The Hills

When one of the girls falls pregnant, it becomes apparent that too much free love is being given out at the water mill.

This very touchy subject is dealt with marvellously, the issue of make shift abortions, infidelity, and unprotected sex all raise there head. All done in a time when if two people shared a bed in a scene, one of the characters feet needed to be on the floor. When one of the characters makes a pass at another, it was delivered in a most tasteful manner, being a pre-watershed show they had to perform an intimate scene without any form of contact. Not like modern day television eh?

New World

A balloon flies above Whitecross, in it the dead body of its Norwegian pilot. When the truth is revealed about the ballons original inhabitants, things in Whitecross are about to change, and for our survivors things will never be the same again.

In what is reported to be one of the worst cop outs in television history (if you exclude Bobby coming out of the shower in Dallas), the show wraps up in a pretty phenomenal way, the reality not delivered until series 3. The third series nearly never happened so its lucky that the “To be continued” feel this series finale leaves you with some relief, although what you find out come the next series is pretty dreadful.

All in all Series 2 was not as bad as I expected, when you read about the history of the show, Series 2 was described as awful, but there are a few episodes easily far stronger than the shows previous series. And whatever the case if you saw the first series and loved it (as apparently 15 million viewers did each week) you need to stick with this, a[apparently the third series was much more rapid and consistent. I’ll meet back up with you in about a month to say whether that is true or not.

Special Features

A rather bland audio commentary is offered to accompany two of the stories, what is far more interesting however are the three interviews on the 4th disc. Firstly Dennis Lill talks about the incredible experiences he had filming the show, and how he became a hero of the British public overnight, without realising. Lorna Lewis who plays Pet talks about her time on the show, her disappointment over the third series, her discomfort over a seduction scene and the life changing experience that began with Survivors and ended up with her becoming a fully ordained priest. Heather Wright who stars as late arriving survivor Melanie, talks about her time as the shows “slapper” and the heart wrenching events that occurred due to the shows series ending. Finally Pennant Roberts a regular Director on Doctor Who, Tenko, Kessler, and Colditz talks about the hassles of filming the show, the drastic changes and the reality of trying to turn a successful show, that has began to fail around.

The Survivors series 2 is available from Amazon for around £16. 

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