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'Survivors' S01E04 - Part Four

Published Tuesday, Dec 9 2008, 22:58 GMT | By Ben Rawson-Jones | 8 comments

Packed full of intrigue and rich characterisation, this episode of Survivors operates on a higher emotional level to recent instalments and is all the better for it.

Splitting the group up at the start allows several personal journeys to take place, most notably with Abby. Her narrative is consistently gripping and full of surprises, including a very well handled meeting with a young chap called Peter - who happens not to be her son. Abby's fling with Jimmy is also unexpected given the recent death of her husband, but is understandable as she must be craving some TLC to compensate for the disintegration of her family. As the cave-dwelling object of her lust, Joseph Millson (familiar to Sarah Jane viewers as Maria's dad) is excellent and the sympathetic backstory of his character unfolds nicely.

In the government complex, Max Beesley shines as sociopath Tom Price, who displays the full extent of his desperation to survive. Like a chameleon, his behaviour changes with his environment, leading him to be sycophantic and charming towards Samantha and cold and callous towards Al. Yet when he is reunited with the latter after driving him out of the complex - literally - he puts on a show of humility to win Al back onto his side.

The only slight gripe with the episode lies in the fact that it doesn't really advance the plot a great deal. Everyone ends up, on a physical level at least, back at where they started the episode. Nonetheless, the emotional journeys experienced by the characters more than compensates for this.

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Rik, Wales, on March 31st, 2009
total crap, the whole series was a let down all the way through

Craig, Glasgow, on December 13th, 2008
Just watched ep 4 on the iPlayer. Have to say I'm really getting into Survivors just now and I really enjoyed this episode. When Abby found out it wasn't her son, my heart sunk a little bit. Good tension built with the Greg/Anja storyline. And the examination of the 'new society' they are trying to build at the government facility is proving less utopian than we first thought. This episode also beneifted from the lack of 'guys in the lab' thankfully.

Gary London, on December 12th, 2008
Nice one Elliot of Grantham:) I've just dropped my biscuit in my tea over that one. Ever considered applying to be a writer for the beeb? It's my comment, so it's my rating system. Therefore ya boo sucks to you...with knobs on! I feel no shame. I recant nothing. This new Survivors IS cr**. In the fullness of time you will realise this my young padawan.

Martin in Bristol, on December 11th, 2008
I'm sorry but this is only just watchable (and I'll watch really bad Sci-Fi). Basically it is Eastenders after the plague! Yes it is drama and not a documentary so we expect some tensions and love interest between characters but it appears this is all the script writers are comfortable with. Any parts dealing with surviving and the choices to be made are at best superficial and at worst stupid.

Ray in Bedford, on December 11th, 2008
Pure escapism, nothing more, and cleaned up. Hairstules perfectly in place and everyone coping with no nasty side effects. I was surpised at the lack of impact by the arrow in the thigh. Would have thought that blood loss and shock would hace had an inpact first followed by all the nasty germs there must be around given the rotting bodies in almost every home. Where is the aftermath of disease that would follow such a collapse of society? Also, why are the baddies all so gentle. The gang would certainly have beem much more aggresive towards Abbey and Jimmey once they had their hands on them. The spiking of their emotions by the accidental stabbing of Peter did not hold up. Equally, the attempted gang rape lacked conviction partly because the would be attackers were considerate enough not to be brutal or armed, and partly as a consequence of the tame way in which they were overcome. The story is beginning to meander, a bit like "Lost" really. This is light entertainment rather than a true drama. Worth wathing but keep the salt handy.

Eliott, Grantham, on December 11th, 2008
Loved the episode and to Gary London, 2 out of 10 would be 1 out of 5...maybe you don't have the intelligence to appreciate the show?

Caitlin, Leicestershire, on December 11th, 2008
I want to see the government complex put to better use - it was great this week at providing some much needed exploraration of Tom's character, but I still think it has more potential. However, Greg and Anya's storyline had a real sense of danger to it, and Abby's meeting with the little boy was beautifully handled. In fact, I think that these are the sort of things that this series (whilst having its fair share of blips) does best, and I'm more than willing to stick with it. One worry though; the trailer for next week does seem to promise 90% sex, with not much time left for any plot...

Gary London, on December 10th, 2008
Don't know if it's intentional on the part of the writers but I am starting to find this spoof hilarious. I laughed out loud at least three times during this episode. Guy gets a whacking great arrow in the leg, which naturally starts to pour with blood and also leaves him writhing and screaming on the floor. When asked later if he is ok, he responds with "it's a scratch" Hahahahahaa..good one. Even funnier, after being impaled he can then find the strength to kick out the windscreen of abby's car (presumably this is with his good leg?) I can only hope that in the event of finding myself in the same situation as the good folk in this fairytale that my luck would be as good. I'm still giggling at how well fed they look, how well hydrated, healthy and gloriously scrubbed they all are ( perfectly presented actually) A global pandemic may be a doddle to survive on the strength of it. Showers, hair clippers, beauty products, ironing boards and washing machines don't seem to have been affected. Lovely clean people they are! It also looks like the end of the world might just lead to the birth of a swingers utopia. Everybody bonking all over the place. Woohoo! Where do I sign up? Yes I am being flippant. Come on BBC for crying out loud. Surely you cannot be serious about this b****s being drama, let alone sci fi??? I'd be constructive and comment on the plot but there doesn't seem to be one anymore. There is a premise, which has been lurking since episode one. No plot seems to have accompanied it thus far though. Unless you count ripping off the Lord of the flies as a plot in this episode. 2/10 for this one.

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