Survivors Series 6 Discussion Thread (Spoilers)

Beating the Bounds

Series Six - I can't believe we're six series in already - begins with this very interesting story. Abbey discovers the difference between priorities of the upper class and that of the surrounding untainted 'normal' folk. This is the first time Survivors has tried four self-contained tales as opposed to a series linked with a common arc. While I was quite happy with the format as it was, it is good to get a bit of a shake-up, particularly when the quality is still as good as ever. Fear, aggression, fallible people, class resentment (Abbey is mistaken for local aristocracy) all combine to provide this very satisfying tale. Well acted as always, and I listen to this as the UK enjoys its hottest weather for decades, so it is cooling to hear a stormy soundscape!

I'm not sure about the decision to allow the incidental music to become so prevalent. In the first few series, the soundtrack was subtle and alomst merged with the sound effects at time. Now it is everywhere, which detracts from the 'rawness' of the ongoing situation and makes the soundscape cosier somehow. I'm not sure I like 'cosy' in this series - but then, this is a minor gripe, and probably a very personal one (and reassuringly, this story contains scenes as grim as ever). I thought I'd mention it, because every other observation I have about this is very - and typically, for this series - positive.

The Trapping Pit

Yeow! George Watkins was so good in his role as Craig that I was listening to this through gritted teeth - poor lad! This excellent story could never really have fitted in previous sets because it really is a standalone character piece. It's harrowing and really well written and played. Brilliant Helen Goldwyn, unflatteringly aged-up on the cover, still has - can I say this? - the sexiest voice on audio. Well, it's true in my view! Her character Ruth, together with a resourceful Jenny, make a formidable double-act, trapped in an increasingly hopeless situation. And this within an overall hopeless situation! It's grim and compelling, and the kind story Survivors excels at. Little victories ...

Just finished Beating the Bounds and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was quite a light story by Survivors standards with the body count being limited to only two. 

Good on to see the first story keeps to the high standards of all the previous box sets (apart from vol.4 which I found to be lacking) 
i am as yet undecided on if I prefer standalone episodes or a 4 episode arc.  

I've never seen the TV version but I don't think I am missing anything just listening to the audios. They started from the beginning after all.


Anyways series 6 was quite enjoyable. I personally enjoyed it a lot more than I can remember of S4 and 5. Not that they were bad and there was still a lot to enjoy but I was starting to wonder how much mileage this series could have. But I really liked the individual approach focusing on different characters and having 4 distinct story lines. I also liked that we are moving on a bit. Obviously the world is still affected by what happened but communities have started sprung up and people are learning to survive. But naturally you would still come across pocket communities with problem. I also liked how we saw a little about other parts of world like Norway (and briefly heard about Russia).


Although I would say my favorite story of this box set was the 2nd one I thought they were all quite strong and each felt distinct showing that there is actually a lot of life for this series yet (and ironically this was probably the box set with the least amount of deaths). And as I said earlier I am happy that they will be continuing with this same format of individual stories at least for box set 7.

Review Quotes Added

www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/survivors-series-06-1507

Regards

mark687

Zoe Tapper got on a cover IIRC.

I really enjoyed the first and last stories in this set, Beating the Bounds, and Lockup. Some of the accents didn't work for me and came across as pretty hammy in Revenge of Heaven, which undermined that one for me quite a bit. The Trapping Pit was very good, but I hated the character of Spike, and hated even more that Jenny and Ruth took all the blame and responsibility for the accident, when clearly none of it would have happened if Spike and company hadn't tried to rob them in the first place (and quite violently, to boot). That no one called Spike on that fact just rubbed me the wrong way a bit, to be honest, and prevented the story from being quite as satisfying as it otherwise would have been. For me, at least.

Ive have never seen the TV series. So I only know it as purely audio series. I have bought all series on CD so far. Hope they continue with it for awhile. Though I wonder if they have an end point planned for the whole range, now that .. well I don't want to spoil in case people haven't heard the latest series (ie 7).