Ben Austwick [Cathode Ray Mission 12.03.08] post apocalyptic review



Year: 2008
DVD Release date: January 26th, 2009
Directors: John Alexander / Andrew Gunn
Writers: Various
IMDB: link
Trailer: link
Review by: Ben Austwick
Rating: 7 out of 10

With the scene set in the previous two episodes, the latest installment of “Survivors” moves away from the virus outbreak and its aftermath and explores different ways of preparing for the uncertain future. Abby discovers a self-sufficient community in an eco park struggling with the difficulties of communal governance, while Tom and Greg come across a family who have isolated themselves from the outbreak and intend to avoid all human contact in hope of escaping the virus.


With a theme of suspicion between strangers hindering attempts to build a new society, this is a more thoughtful and mature episode than we have seen so far. The story lines are coherent and rounded, and look at the situations the characters find themselves in in original, imaginative ways.

In particular, the impromptu kangaroo court in the grounds of the eco park takes "Survivors" beyond its rather light approach to its subject matter and into something altogether more frightening. Tom and Greg's storyline takes a turn for the worse in its morally strident conclusion, but its opening scenes are paranoid, tense and effective.

“Survivors” is still spoiled somewhat by badly-written dialogue and poor acting, the worst examples being the eco commune's over the top gung-ho bad guy, and a cringe-worthy speech that was too much for the inexperienced actress who plays the girl in the isolated farm house. The intrusive music, a problem from episode one, is particularly annoying as it swells to accompany some unfortunate moralising, and the way characters switch from panic in the face of peril to happy families back at the house is downright weird.

But “Survivors” seems to be getting into its stride now. No doubt the two main plot strands of this episode were taken from Terry Nation's original script, and it shows in their intelligence and originality. Now the initial scene-setting is out of the way, hopefully we can expect more of the same.

trogen (3 years ago) Reply

Great episode, im very much in to it now! You get a much better picture of everything going on.

Only thing I would say, is that i thought the girl from the farm house played her part very well.

8/10

Ben Austwick (3 years ago) Reply

Maybe you're right about her. It could have just been the script. But yes, a much better episode, feels like this is how the subject should be explored.

Erick (3 years ago) Reply

i liked, but you right about the actors. nad right now is watching the original serie from 70's, well i found some holes ..but normal..after all perfection is too hard.
anyway long life for survivors!

Anonymous (3 years ago) Reply

This show has great potential as each episode gets better.Characters are a great mix of society in general,a lot of yin and yang going on with the hint of moral redemption for some.

Anonymous (3 years ago) Reply

Would someone send me the DVD? I loved the original and I am in the us and cannot see it.

Stephen Wood (3 years ago) Reply

I like this series, but there is too much hope for me to really get behind. To me it paints a picture of a situation i'd like to be stuck in, and combine that with those ever so nasty scientist well....
To me the original 70's series is much better with fewer feel good moments.

Anonymous (3 years ago) Reply

I actually thought the girl in the barn done fantastic...?

Anonymous (3 years ago) Reply

You are completely wrong about Katie the girl in the farmhouse. I'd like to see you act so well given the bland and over-written dialogue. I don't think you'd know talent if it smacked you in the face!

macstu (3 years ago) Reply

What a piece of rancid gay theatre , if everyone is dead
then why do they keep meeting lots of PEOPLE ,it
breaks the stories train of logic ,and why are they so clean and well fed. Cancel it NOW.

Ben Austwick (3 years ago) Reply

Anons - the dialogue she was given was certainly a factor, and yes I know practically nothing about acting on a practical level, but I didn't see it I'm afraid. Anyone know who the young actress was?

leigh (3 years ago) Reply

The young girls name is Sacha Parkinson, she was just 16 I believe and think the comments about inexperience was a bit harsh looking at her IMDB shows she has lots of experience which shows she CAN actually act, she handled the script very well, a very timid character but showed feeling and emotion giving you a sense of her desperation of the situation her and her family was in - give our young English actors support not insults please it's hard enough I guess - she did a great job alot better then some of the more well known actors in the show!

Anonymous (2 years ago) Reply

I agree with the lady. Ms Parkinson is a fine actress and deserves encouragement instead of cynical and ill-informed comments from so-called 'reviewers'. Watch this space...

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