Show Review: Survivors

The BBC aired a series called Survivors starting in 2008, a drama built around a virus outbreak that wipes out nearly 99% of the world's population.  The State run British Broadcasting Corporation pulled the plug on the series after just two seasons which is unfortunate.

Survivors is a solid show with a satisfying end to the second season although not ideal.  They leave a few cliffhangers unanswered, but they give you enough to walk away entertained.  The characters are well developed and the plot is engaging.  Season one starts a bit slow, but gets better and better.  Season two is where a service like Netflix really pays off, you can jump right into the next episode.  Each of the 12 episodes run about 50 mins.

Overall Prepper Rating: 6 out of 10  

Spoiler alert, reading further may reveal elements of the show. 

Entertainment Value: 3/5
The plot is compelling.  Set in present times, a virus has wiped out much of the population, government has collapsed, and the remaining survivors are forming groups to forage for food and find their loved ones.  A small government outpost, lead by the last politician alive, attempts to reestablish the rule of law in the only way they know how, at the barrel of a gun while an out of control pharmaceutical company is rounding up survivors in a search for the cure.  The story focuses on the day to day struggles of a group of survivors who happen upon one another and stick together.  Abby, the lead female, is looking for her son only to discover she is the only known survivor to have contracted the virus and recovered.  The pharmaceutical company is very interested in Abby and her son, stopping at nothing to capture them. It is a fun ride but not perfect, it rates a 3 out of 5.

Prepping Value: 3/5
The our 'good guys' deal with contagion, foraging, looters, thugs, government 'help', and the interactions one might expect in a TEOTWASKI situation.  These scenes provide preppers with useful scenarios but often inadequate techniques to respond.  In predictable BBC form, the characters grudgingly use firearms and even enter hostile situations ridiculously outgunned.  The anti-gun theme is a frustrating at times, but surprisingly the government is not shown as a white knight, much to the contrary.  In several scenes characters are shown wearing ill-fitting and incorrect masks.  Just pretend they have at least N-95, properly fitted protection, and move on.  Overall, it makes you think and for that we give it 3 out of 5.