Les Survivants

I really enjoyed the first series which is only six episodes long unfortunately and I can't wait for the next series which is now confirmed.

After the virus outbreak the few remaining Survivors start to find each other. As time passes they begin to depend on each other and organise themselves. The power struggles both from within the group and outside leave you wondering how civilisation ever got to where it is today. This show works on many levels and those of you who like end-times scenarios will probably love it. The character interactions are great, quite believable.

This isn't Mad Max, this is the bit before Mad Max.

This series should have gone on. There's a lot about it that's high quality, great production values, terrific long shots of empty cities. The storyline was really barely touched- besides the evil island machinations, there's a whole planet empty and going primitive not just a small piece of English countryside. I particularly liked the character who's so certain she's the government, and seeing it her way is magically always best for everybody. Her patronizing line of bull remains what we hear on the news from our officials every day. I'd like to especially praise the casting in this show-- the faces really fit the character. It's easy to imagine an actor willing to play a weasel like Dexter but to look so genuinely despicable, I do wonder where they get these very unlovely guys. It's not characterization by makeup in this show, it's a casting director with a great sense of face. All in all, it's a mystery to me why this was canceled, I think the decision was a bad mistake.

A sudden and deadly flu epidemic sweeps the population of the world (Britain in particular) leaving few survivors. Those that remain each have strengths and weaknesses aplenty, perhaps a personal mission to fulfil, and most likely something to hide; some reason to be glad of the fresh start offered them by this disaster.

In order to get to the true meat of the story; which is about negotiating new identities, new relationships, new positions of power; the BBC pushes some unlikely scenarios on us in the first couple of episodes (I don't want to go into detail because that would involve spoilers - there are some surprises early on). Individuals, by various means, form into loose groups of shared interest and we watch their stories begin to intertwine.

Some might be tempted to stop watching the new Survivors at this early, somewhat unrealistic point.

Others who were fond of the 1970s series might drop out in disgust, having hoped for a true remake, whereas the 2008 version is asking different questions - yes they will eventually have to start making their own fuel (methane playing a major role in the original as I recall), but in fact I think the 2008 incarnation is more realistic in the sense that to start with, there will be plenty of long-life supplies and vehicles available. The story is satisfied to hint at more desperate survival struggles to come.

What this new version does superbly is generate a mix of characters and histories, with understandable suspicion of each other but also with a mutual need generated by the strength found in numbers and by the common desire for comfort in intimacy; as the story develops and stirs this unstable cocktail of personalities there are explosions waiting to happen around every corner.

For me the tension builds through the episodes. Rather than issues being resolved it seems that more and more potential conflicts and dangers arise at every encounter between the different groups of people that are forming. There is no chance to truly settle; no oasis of genuine security or freedom.

The seething tension reaches its height in the very last episode of the series. I for one cannot wait for the next outing of the new Survivors - in fact I am expecting series 2 to crank up the intensity even further.

At the start - not fully convinced. By the end - excellent, genuinely edge of the seat fare. Overall - definitely worth watching.

This little show got its flaws but is still "more realistic" than 90% of all shows and movies labelled post-apocalyptic. Besides a solid production and acting, Survivors is not spoiled by woke agenda (great plus) and got more to deliver than just action and soap opera drama. There are of course some flaws in logic regarding group behavior (like splitting the group etc.), and sadly they didn't end the show/story, so we got some real cliffhanger in the end, anyway, sometimes (in its best moments) the show reminds me a little of the epic Lost, without the mystery parts of course. Solid and a good show for all who pray for the doomsday to come to have some fun ;) Last note: the British show aired first between 1975-77 is closer to the original material of the book written by Terry Nation and also a solid one.

A very good show but as a fan of the original 70's Survivors I am finding the new version misses the mark for two reasons (A)The original outbreak of flu seemed to wipe out 99% of the population in a day!! Even the most deadly flu would take several weeks to achieve that so realism is somewhat compromised in order to move the plot on too quickly. Secondly Survivors 2008 places way too much emphasis on what is going on between the characters and gives virtually no attention to the actual mechanics of living. The original series went to great lengths to show the characters learning how to farm, generate electricity etc etc. None of that in the new show. Anyway still a quality drama compared to most TV output so I'll give it an 8 but do check out the original that ran for 3 series, 30 odd episodes, all available on DVD. Did you know 1975 Survivors still has a cult following and fan club?