 DVD Review: Primeval: Volume Two
By Craig Byrne - KryptonSite Webmaster
A second volume of the British television series Primeval, this time comprising of the third season, was recently released on DVD.
Here's how BBC America and Warner Home Video describe the release:
Still reeling from the shocking death of Stephen and the stunning betrayal of Helen (Juliet Aubrey, The Constant Gardener), Nick (Douglas Henshall, French Film, Dorian Gray) must fight to re-focus his embattled team, now reduced to two members, student paleontologist Connor (Andrew-Lee Potts) and zoologist Abby (Hannah Spearritt, Agent Cody Banks, S Club7). Cutter’s crew is joined by some new recruits in the form of maverick policeman Danny Quinn (Jason Flemyng), sparky Egyptologist Sarah Page (Laila Rouass), and the new leader of the ARC’s security forces, Captain Becker (Ben Mansfield). But the anomalies continue to present an unrelenting series of threats, including such terrifying ancient creatures as Giganotosaurus (a truly terrifying predator, bigger even than the Tyrannosaurus Rex), Pristichampus (a creature which strikingly resembles the ancient Egyptian crocodile demon, Ammut) and Dracorex. As deadlier creatures continue to rampage through the anomalies, the cloak of secrecy behind which the team has been working is in jeopardy. Questions are being asked and the conspiracy spreads its net wide. If something is not done quickly, the team’s future is threatened—not to mention the future of humankind itself.
For those who may have seen my original Primeval DVD review, the show came as a complete surprise to me. Just like Doctor Who, Torchwood, and Merlin, it proves that some of the best TV comes from "the other side of the pond." Series Three is no exception - almost every episode is an enjoyable romp, although 10 episodes still feels like too short of a season.
Unfortunately, another "tradition" of British television does rear its ugly head in that it seems long-term contracts don't happen over there. Which is why we lost Christopher Eccleston after only one year of Doctor Who, and, sadly, two of my favorite characters from Primeval disappear from the series very early on in the third season (or "series" as they call it). I really don't want to spoil things but I will say that I felt that although the show was an ensemble, and Jason Flemyng was a worthy replacement character, I felt the show really revolved around one of the departed characters, and it was disappointing to see him or her go. For the episodes that character is in, his/her screen time is fairly minimal as well, so it felt like it was coming all along.
On the bright side, Connor and Abby are still a part of the proceedings, and I still absolutely loathe Helen Cutter - and I mean that as a great compliment to the actress Juliet Aubrey, who has succeeded in making me hate her. Helen has competition this year on the hate scale with the introduction of a new character named Christine Johnson.
Even with the character changes, the usual things you can expect to enjoy from Primeval are there. There's danger, anomalies, double-crossing, near-death moments, and, of course, dinosaurs and "future predators."
Primeval Volume Two is good entertainment. If you haven't seen the series, I do recommend picking up Volume One first, but this is a good companion. I will warn, however, that the season's conclusion might make you want more - and right now, there are currently no plans for another series.
There's talk of a major motion picture based on Primeval or an American TV series - I don't know what I'd think of the first idea, but I'd totally be down with the latter.
Extras on this DVD set include an interview with the departed character/actor. It's a great look back at his character, although I may have preferred a featurette focusing on the series' new characters. Perhaps for a Volume Three if anyone decides to do more of the series.
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Primeval: Volume Two
BBC Video
Available September 15, 2009
Starring Douglas Henshall, Andrew-Lee Potts, Hannah Spearritt, Jason Flemyng, Laila Rouass, Ben Mansfield, Juliet Aubrey, and Ben Miller
10 episodes on 3 discs
BBCAmerica.com
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