The Tomorrow People - Series 4 And 5

Customer Reviews:

The best of the series yet.......2005-09-08

I found series 4 and 5 very entertaining, and refreshing, seeing for the first time the new character of Mike Bell, played by Mike Holoway. This new character brought in a new and refreshing side to The Tomorrow People, it is good to have a bit of a rebel, someone a bit different from the other Tomorrow People

I really enjoyed all of the comentaries that came with each espisode, especially those of Mike Holoway, whom I found to be very entertaining and interesting.

Series slump.......2004-09-08

Series four is without doubt the lowest point in Tomorrow People's history. Even as a fairly staunch fan of the show I can't give any other reason than dogged completism to actually own the two stories it comprises; the pantomime-like 'One Law' and the ultra padded 'Into The Unknown'. Michael Hollaway is introduced in 'One Law' and Peter Vaughan Clarke bows out (minus the bow) at the end of 'Into the Unknown' and barring a last inclusion on the commentary of 'The Dirtiest Business' that's the last we see or hear of Peter.
Series five is much better with a run of three stories comprising two episodes each. The humour is much toned down and the stories are staged with more imagination and pace.

Exras are the usual picture albums and fact files and best of all the commentaries.

Series 4

One Law (3 episodes)
Commentary from Nicholas Young, Peter Vaughan Clarke and Michael Hollaway.

Into the Unknown (4 episodes)
Commentary from Nicholas Young, Peter Vaughan Clarke and Michael Hollaway.

Series 5

The Dirtiest Business (2 episodes)
Commentary from Nicholas Young, Peter Vaughan Clarke and Michael Hollaway.

A Much Needed Holiday (2 episodes)
Commentary from Nicholas Young and Michael Hollaway.

The Heart of Sogguth (2 episodes)
Commentary from Nicholas Young and Michael Hollaway.

The introduction of Michael Hollaway to the commentaries does tend to slow things down a bit as he's much less articulate than Nicholas Young and Peter Vaughan Clarke. I'm thankful that Peter was retained for 'The Dirtiest Business' even though he doesn't appear in the story.

This box set really does show how low a show can go when neglected but also how good it can be if treated with a little care.

Quality jaunts out the window.......2004-07-08

Anyone with an interest in the TP needs to purchase these discs to remind themselves of the full horror into which this once enjoyable series decended. I bet your mind has blocked out the worst atrocities in the intervening years, I know mine had. This is one hell of a wake up call.
We're a long way from the splendors of "The Blue and the Green" and "The Vanishing Earth" here.
Worst of all are the dull and boring commentaries for series 5. Mike Holoway's po-faced and earnest ramblings are the pits. (The poor sod seems to think Flintlock made an important contribution to the history of pop). Oh for the hilarious, self-deprecating, rapier-fast banter bewteen PVC and Nick! - the single best reason for collecting the previous releases.
Brace yourselves TP completists - we're in for a bumpy ride.

the best so far.......2004-06-03

Although Series 4 and 5 are much shorter than previous series there are some great episodes here.

One Law, introducing the character of Michael and is not a bad story. Into the Unknown seems a little overlong with not many set changes. But in series 5 The Dirtiest Business & The Heart Of Sogguth are two of the best episodes in the programme's entire history. HOS even features a few snatches of music from Flintlock. A Much Needed Holiday compares well with Dr Who episodes of this era.

Overall less of the annoying humour, with the exception of some in One Law, and evidence of more money spent, better direction, improved special effects and better acting from the leads. (No one could be as wooden as Kenny!).

But of course the best feature of these DVDS is the entertaining and very funny commentaries, which keep getting better and better.

The only problem with the DVDs (on my set at least) is that the commentary track during episode 1 of Into The Unknown was slighly out of synch. Overall a good clear transfer.

WHERE IT ALL WENT WRONG..........2003-12-12

This will probably never be released now, but I'm going to write about it anyway. Season 4 of The Tomorrow People is dull, uninspiring and limited. 'One Law' introduces us to Mike Bell, the latest edition to the merry band, cranking the already bulging number of TPs up to five. It is evident very early on that the arrival of a new young star meant that the number would soon be cutit's obvious which members of the cast are surplus to requirements! The story itself has an interesting theme, examining what would happen if the TPs powers were used for financial gain, but Roger Price's hammed-up treatment of the subject, with 'A Man for Emily' still in mind, is a waste. 'Into the Unknown' is far too long, taking four episodes to get to a very complicated and nonsensical point when two would have sufficed. Limited by few sets, the usual derisory FX and bugger all plot, it really is a chore to watch. Even the appearance of Geoffrey Bayldon can do little to save it.
Season 5, on the other hand, is a great improvement, consisting of three two-part stories. The episode restriction turns out to be more of a blessing here, than a curse. With little time to mess around, Price's scripts for this season are far more action packed, tightly paced and, quite frankly, interesting. 'The Dirtiest Business' begins with noticabley fewer cast members and a sudden raid on the Lab - fantastic! This is a dark and menacing tale, mixing espionage, paranoia and downright grit to create one of the best moments of the series. The conclusion is harrowing and leaves one feeling genuinely moved, far more effective than a standard jokey ending. 'A Much Needed Holiday' follows, adapted by Price from an earlier comic strip, then short story, and although not as Earth-shattering as it predecessor, it's an interesting, if fairly average two-parter, with John, Mike and Elizabeth setting off to the planet Gallia, on the pretext of en archaeological expedition. The film work on this story is particularly catching. Finally, there is 'The Heart of Sogguth', AKA any excuse to get Mike Holloway's band airtime, which just goes to prove in which direction the series was headed! Fortunately, Flintlock are possessed fairly early on in the story, giving Nicholas Young and Elizabeth Adare a rare chance to make this story theirs. This dark story, referencing the occult and devil worship, does go a little bit too over the top, significantly, whenever Professor Jake takes to the screen. But it's an interesting enough romp with a thoughtful conclusion (and a guest appearance from Bella Emberg!) My verdict - there's much worse to come from this series - have you seen 'Achilles Heel'!!!

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