Primeval : Vol 2

For most aficionados of science fiction the use of the words ‘British’, ‘time travel’ and monsters’ in the same sentence they will almost always have a single response, ‘Doctor Who’. Some may make a small attempt at humor by citing ‘Torchwood’ but that is just the more adult spin-off set in the same fictional universe as the most famous of the Time Lords. There is actually another series that fits the above list of terms; ‘Primeval’. I came upon this series a year or so ago while reviewing a couple of titles from BBC America and the first volume was in that pile. I found myself completely captivated by the time the first episode was done and quickly applied myself to watch every episode in that initial volume. Unfortunately my cable provider didn’t carry BBC America and had no immediate plans to include it. After a stroke I moved in with some friends and their provider was a bit more enlightened offering the network so I could finally catch new episodes. As such I was more than ready by the time volume two was released on DVD. Just to be clear on one point; volume one consisted of the first two season or series while volume two has the third series. No matter how the decided to release this show it’s just a good thing they did. Hopefully series four will air soon. Apparently a deal has been made for at least two more seasons so this will not become another case of brilliant but cancelled. The third series was cut short for the same reason the last seasons of ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘Torchwood’ were abbreviated; the network was retooling for high definition broadcasts requiring a sizeable portion of their resources to accomplish. That might mean the next series of ‘Primeval’ just might be high def. considering the use of special effects that would be splendid.

One of several factors that make this show so successful lies in the background of its creators, Adrian Hodges and Tim Haine. Most of their previous experience has been in more dramatic faire on British television. This type of programming has long been held in high regard not only for their commitment to excellence in production values but in the stylistic fashion they have in relating a story to their audience. While the stories on ‘Doctor Who’ may encompass series themes there is a long standing tradition of light hearted entertainment at its core. With ‘Primeval’ there is more than enough comic relief but in general the tone is more in a serious vein leaning towards a classic English espionage thriller that just happens to have a science fiction setting. It is the sense of taking the material completely seriously while permitting the cast and crew the opportunity to have fun with the premise that elevates this show above many of the Sci-Fi series we have in the States. Okay, we had the re-imagined ‘Battlestar Galatica’ but that was simply put sheer genius and stands in its own category. With ‘Primeval’ there is a nicely played balance between the creature of the week and a larger storyline that pervades the entire run of the show. It also allows the focus of the stories to broaden out to include a neatly crafted mystery complete with plots, hidden agendas and all fashion of cloak and dagger themes creating a tapestry much more interesting than the usual creature feature.

The foundation of the overall story revolves around the work of a brilliant scientist Dr. Nick Cutter (Douglas Henshall). Normally there is not a lot of trouble a Professor of Paleontology can get into but when simmering anomalies appear in and around London all of that changed. These floating, lights look like broken glass suspended in mid-air but they are actually portals to other times, frequently millions of years ago. This permits all sorts of nasty dinosaurs and other deadly creature to go hunting for food in our time. Cutter assembled a rag tag group to help him track down the anomalies and contain or return the creatures. These included a former student, Connor Temple (Andrew-Lee Potts), an electronic genius and the ever perky and cute former zoo keeper Abby Maitland (Hannah Spearritt). Much of their activates were soon brought under the administration of the Home Office through the bureaucratic eye of James Lester (Ben Miller) the chief administrator of the ‘Anomaly Research Center’ better known simply as the ARC. At the end of the second season their technician and general body guard Stephen Hart (James Murray) sacrificed himself to save Cutter from a trap set by the show’s arch villain, Cutter’s ex-wife Helen (Juliet Aubrey). She had been lost in time and appears to know a lot more about the anomies than anyone including Cutter. As this second volume opens cutter is still blaming himself f or Steven’s death. He winds up gone not far into this season but the cast of this show is in a fairly constant state of change which helps to keep things fresh. A new military bodyguard, Captain Wilder (Alex McSweeney) and a police officer with a personal vested interest in the anomalies, Danny Quinn (Jason Flemyng), who pushes his way into the team.

This season also widens the focus by trying to connect mythological beasts to the anomalies; this brings in a new character, Sarah Page (Laila Rouass), an Egyptologist. With her help the team is able to construct a huge 3D model of anomalies. Helen is just one step ahead as the team realizes the anomalies can open a portal to the future as well as the distant past. Things get really interesting as the ARC team flirts with understanding the true nature of the events and ho Helen plans to use them to advance her covert nefarious plans. This is a unique kind of show that is worth watching. Cool special effects combined with excellent acting and well written stories makes this a must have set.

Posted 04/18/2010