I’m new to the science fiction series Primeval. Well, that’s not exactly accurate. I caught the first couple episodes of season two last summer on BBC America, but I was a little confused. I was hoping the network would re-air the first season at some point. It didn’t happen. I could have gone out and purchased the episodes I missed, but it would have cut into my pizza and beer budget.
Lucky for me, the Sci-Fi Channel, er, I mean, the Syfy Channel, has begun showing the inaugural season of Primeval Friday nights at 10pm. I’ve watched the first two installments and while not blown away, I have found it to be a pretty cool concept. Now, I realize I’m cheating a bit by watching the show on Syfy rather than BBC America, but season three of Primeval will debut on BBC America later in 2009. In fact, it’s currently airing across the pond on Saturday evenings.
Now that I’ve dispensed with the long-winded and unnecessary exposition, I can commence with my review. Evolutionary zoologist Nick Cutter and his team of scientists travel the British Isles investigating the appearance of prehistoric creatures. Strange anomalies are opening portals in time, thus allowing a bevy of ancient predators to enter modern society. Needless to say, humans don’t mesh well with savage dinosaurs and carnivorous insects.
Adding drama to the proceedings is Nick’s presumed dead wife Helen, who is alive and well after traveling through time for eight years. Repeated sightings of Helen have Nick obsessed with reuniting with his true love. However, something about Helen doesn’t look right. Why is she back? Does she know who or what is responsible for the odd occurrences? I guess I’ll have to keep watching to find out.
There’s also a subplot involving the government’s attempt to keep everything under wraps. It’s nothing new and a little tiresome. The government is evil, man… we get it. I’m sure it’s integral to the story thread, but I could do without it. Other than that, I like the direction the writers are steering the plots.
I was equally impressed with the special effects. The dinos are very similar to those in Jurassic Park. The producers obviously didn’t skimp on ensuring the real stars of the series look menacing and authentic. Fingers crossed they won’t venture into silly territory in the future.
I also like the Nick Cutter character. He doesn’t take shit and stands by his people. Although, his determination to find Helen seems a tad self-destructive. My suspicion is this might lead to potential problems down the road. Cutter’s pseudo bodyguard, Stephan Hart, is a reckless badass; he just throws himself into the fray and was almost killed in both episodes I saw. He can’t be long for the “Primeverse” if he doesn’t change his ways.
If you dig flesh-eating beasts and rips in the fabric of time, you might find Primeval pleasing. Don’t worry, if you get scared, you can always hide under the covers. That’s what I do.
Clacked by Scott Tunstall 
on Apr 22, 2009 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
It’s still Sci-fi Channel, the SyFy doesn’t happen until I think Stargate Universe (I hate that name) is shown.
Of all the series, series one is the least entertaining. Stick with it and things pick up when series two gets into full swing. Not surprisingly, the CGI seems to get a little better with each series, too.
Give the show a chance … it gets a lot better later in S.1 as well as S.2
S.3 on the other hand … is pretty awesome so far … only up to Episode 4 so far.
I’ve only seen the first two series, but the government cover-up is fairly benign and understandable, not evil. They usually have no time to warn the public when a rift opens up, and they have no way to combat the rifts themselves, so there would be nothing to gain but panic.
Even the bureaucrat becomes fun to watch.