TV Gold

Are you like me anxiously breathless for any news about the new version of "Survivors" and have been scouring the web for any information about this series???

Then it might be worth keeping a close eye on this site... http://www.survivors-mad-dog.org.uk/a-world-away/

Where it is mentioned that the first episode has now had a 'BBC internal press screening on Wednesday 24th September'. Hopefully we may still see it some time during this (October 2008) month, although reading the reactions mentioned on this site be prepared for a disappointment as it may not be about to live up to the stark dramatic impact of the original, particularly "The Fourth Horseman"

As a sidenote I've started thumbing through the first season and over the past couple of weeks I've watched again the first six stories, episodes five and six for yesterday morning breakfast.

A couple of VERY positive reviews from people who attended the screening....

Saw a screening of the new Survivors tonight. Won't spoil you. It comes out at the end of October and was a really polished bit of television. Shot on 35 mm, so I'm told, it looks amazing. A great concept and doesn't vary too much from the original, just adds a few nice new twists into it. But the shots of long empty stretches of motorway and empty cities were spooky. Some great performances all round... Patterson Joseph for the next Doctor I say.

But its a great bit of telly, as strong as any US counterpart. I can't wait to see the rest.

Enjoy!

Sadly, no, it doesn't retain either the theme tune or a similar title sequence. It's a rather generic modern TV sequence of names over a bland drum-beat. It's one of my pet peeves, actually, that nobody ever does a decent theme tune or title sequence for programmes any more. Where's the melody, people??!

Anyway, that's about my only bugbear about the whole show. It's very very good indeed. As Darenthomas said, it looks *gorgeous*. It's shot like a feature film and it's very harrowing indeed. I'd say that it's about 90%-95% identical, plot-wise, to the first two episodes of the 70s series. All the character names are the same, many of the set pieces are identical... and some aren't. But I'm not going to say another word about that!!!

Julie Graham is SO much better in this than Bonekickers, I'm glad to say. Freema is lovely as always, and there's guest appearances from loads of familiar faces. I think my favourite was Nikki Amuka-Bird (the unsuspecting alien Sleeper agent in the Torchwood ep of the same name) as a Ministry of Health official. She's just *great*.

In short, I can't wait for the series to start!

The new issue of 'SFX' magazine (with a choice of ten 'Doctor Who' covers) is out now in newsagents and features an article about the new series. Worth checking out and it rounds off by indicating the 2008 series should be heading our way at some point during November!

Still wondering when this might actually appear although the BBC press office have this on their 'week 48' page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk48/unplaced.shtml#unplaced_survivors) which seems to indicate a TX during the week of 22-28 November.

Dates for initial 2 episodes have been confirmed as Sunday 23 & Tuesday 25 November 2008

View the BBC Trailer on YouTube...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Yicb-J8_NNU

Chris Herbert wrote:Dates for initial 2 episodes have been confirmed as Sunday 23 & Tuesday 25 November 2008

View the BBC Trailer on YouTube...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Yicb-J8_NNU

Yeah I also noticed TX is now finally upon us and interesting to see that the first offering on Sunday 23rd is a 'feature length' 90 min episode from 9.00 pm on BBC1.

Good to also see that the minisite http://www.bbc.co.uk/survivors/ is now up and running.

At the moment feel a little bit apprehensive about seeing it and how it will compare with the original but then again I suppose its been reengineered for a new generation

So after last nights 90 min opener anyone got any thoughts?

Firstly disappointed that where the virus came from wasn't explained like it was in the original series opening titles.

Secondly and most glaringly was the sequence where Abby uses her red Alfa to break through the glass doors of the Hospital A&E. You'd expect considerable damage inflicted to the car but astonishingly in the next shot on the duel carriageway her car is still in pristene immaculate condition. Hello! This is someone whom watched 'Transporter 2' on Saturday morning and lead character Jack in that flim crashed a Mercedes Benz through a garage door with considerable damage to his car in the next shot.

Also at Peter's school a bit disappointed that the remaining teacher was not wearing a battery powered hearing aid like the original, a good example of how fragile suviving in the post diesase world would be.

Also I didn't really notice what criminal Tom Price pulled from his pocket to kill/knock out the guard... anyone see what this was???

Other than these small points it was by an large an entirely enjoyable viewing experience with many deft touches to the 70s original (Abby looking up in the midst of a deserted street saying 'Oh god please let me not be the only one!'

Sarah Tarrant wrote:Firstly disappointed that where the virus came from wasn't explained like it was in the original series opening titles.

As is clear at the end of the episode with the lab technicians you will see they don't want to explain it because in this remake they have added an ongoing subplot of government conspiracy which is yet to unfold!

Also I didn't really notice what criminal Tom Price pulled from his pocket to kill/knock out the guard... anyone see what this was???

It was a hand made knife.


I thought it was a clever twist that they killed off Jenny to surprise viewers who are big fans of the original series.

I thought it was a bit silly how all the roads and motorways were empty - did everyone just quietly drive their cars home put them in the garage walk upstairs to bed to die? If this happened for real London and the motorways would just been chock full of abandoned cars all over the place.

To be honest not overly impressed with this remake and I believe ratings haven't been that favourable... rather tailing off further into the run.

Although I haven't got round to watching episodes five and six, got em taped somewhere, it's a shame that we've not seen 'Charles Vaughn' pop up.

I'd be highly surprised if the BBC agree to a second season!

The last story (episode 6) hasn't even finished or got to a lull, when is the next episode? Don't leave us in suspense!

Episode 6 was the final episode of Season One.

Season Two has indeed already been commissioned by the BBC.

Season One actually had quite favourable viewing figures. I've been quite good not to compare it too much to the original, of which I am a very big fan!, but this remake isn't half bad. I just hope they make life in the second season just a bit more bleak and desperate and less Sunday Morning.