La tribu

I happened upon this Kiwi gem one lonely night while flipping through my new digital cable. It's basically a teenage soap opera set some years after a virus has wiped out the adult population. Following a small group (or "tribe") of kids who live in an abandoned shopping mall, the show is deceptively simple and silly. It is, in fact, epic in scope and deep in emotion. It even throws in the occasional religious allegory for good measure. Like all soap operas, the dialogue can be trite and the stories melodramatic and overly concerned with sex (yes, teen sex), but it is also one of the most addictive television shows I've ever encountered, capable of being funny, poignant, gut-wrenching and thought-provoking all at the same time. With, I might add, more inventive hairstyles, makeup and costumes than any you'll see on American television.

If I started watching this show today, as an adult, I would most likely consider it total trash. The acting is incredibly hard to bear at times (there are a few exceptions of course, but most of the actors could have used some serious acting classes); costumes, hair and make-up are insane (for lack of a better word); the music borders on annoying and the plot holes are big enough to swallow a fully grown person. Thankfully, there aren't any of those left in the world of The Tribe.

Eight-year-old me however could not have cared any less about all this. The show is a part of my childhood that still gives me this weirdly fuzzy, nostalgic feeling to this day. I remember re-enacting the show on the schoolyard with my friends and always being excited to come home after school to watch the latest episode. So, try as I might, I cannot bring myself to rate this any lower than 8/10. Doing so would be a betrayal of all these great memories I associate with The Tribe. This is eight-year-old me taking a stand.

i love this show! i always have and always will! please give us a 6th season!!!!!!!!!. I was instantly hooked from the very first episode i saw!.what a shame channel five aren't going to commission a great show like the tribe again, what amazes me most is that they've commissioned the spin off 'the new tomorrow' which lets face it was truly awful!and not worthy of being linked in any way to the tribe!. I for one would like to see the tribe come back with a 6th series, they'd have plenty of story lines to follow, for one we aren't sure if bray is still alive! If you loyal tribe fans are still out there please please please get emailing channel five and tribe world.com and demand another season of the tribe! Always a loyal fan Lauren xxx

I first stumbled across this show back in 1999 on channel 5 here in the UK. I must admit at first i didnt really take a liking to it, as it does give you the impression that its a silly show when you first see it, due to the wacky hair and strange make up. But you soon realize that these characteristics are there to add to the tribe's amazing mood and personality. There is a certain quirkiness to it that draws you in, and once you're there, you're hooked. It makes you laugh, scream and sometimes cry. The Tribe is a mixture of action, adventure, conflict, growing up and love. During my time watching the show, i have witnessed some of the most poignant scenes i have ever seen .Brilliant characters, brilliant actors, my personal favourite is Beth Allen who plays the amazing Amber. Well done to everyone involved on the show. Series 4 has just finished over here with a massive climax, fingers crossed for a 5th series.

Keep the dream alive :)

About a year ago I switched to digital cable, with it came about 200 new channels. About a week later I ran into this odd looking show that had teenage kids in weird clothing and tattoos on their faces. I honestly didn't know what to think about the show, but after the first several episodes I was hooked (I started around the middle of the 3rd season) I have seen only the 3rd and 4th seasons, or series as they are called and I am addicted. I won't go as far as painting my face for em but I've considered it once or twice.

The thing that amazes me is that Cloud 9, the production group that makes The Tribe isn't the most well funded film company in the world. But they have used every last dollar (or whatever currency is used in New Zealand) they have to make this show so good. The cast (which most have appeared on Hercules and Xena, as well as the Power Rangers)is talented enough to give their character's personality. The sets are believable, the outfits are are amazing, and the fact that most of the actors are dulling down their heavy Aussie accents is impressive enough.

For those that haven't seen the show before are best to look at it like a Live Action Anime, not the ultra Kung-Fu kind, but the soap opera kind (Ranma,Chobits,etc.) It's a good show that pretty much makes gold from the budget of straw that they have. 10/10