Customer Reviews

As Time Goes By - Complete Series 5

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
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"As Time Goes By" is the gentle, funny story of Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle, two people who used to be in love in the early fifties. When Lionel went off to fight in the Korean War, the two lost touch. They meet again 38 years later, quite by accident, and what is at first an awkward friendship slowly morphs into a warm romance.

Series 5 of "As Time Goes By", originally produced and aired in 1997, finds the show taking a slightly new direction, all the while retaining the warmth and charm that made it a favorite in the first place. A new set of characters are introduced, old regulars return, and a semi-new locale becomes more of a focal point. All of this comes together splendidly to bring us a fresh, funny, and delightful new series of episodes.

Episode 1 finds Jean & Lionel taking advantage of their recently acquired country house (Lionel's father, Rocky, had given it to him in the previous season). The couple soon meets up with a rather bothersome group of people in the village known as the 'county set'. To add to their annoyance, Jean's sister in-law Penny, and her husband Stephen, suddenly show-up.

Episode 2 is rather poignant. Lionel's ex-wife shows up. This particular episode shows off the depth of Bob Larbey's writing for the series, as the ex-Mrs. Hardcastle is a somewhat complex woman, underneath all of her glitz. It also displays the fine acting talents of the leads and the guest stars. I'm sure some couples can relate to what goes on in this story.

Episode 3: Lionel is bored, and takes up a hobby. One of the more simplistic episodes, but nevertheless funny. You'll never look at model ships in the same way again!

Episode 4 finds Jean & Lionel back at their country house. This time, they discover a more sinister side to the county set. When one of the newer characters, Lol Ferris, gets hurt, the fiery Hardcastles decide it is time to put their foot down.

Episode 5: The ongoing story arc of Lionel's mini-series, titled "Just Two People", finally comes to an end as the final product airs in America. Alistair, Sandy, and Judith fly to the States to watch the broadcast. The results? You'll have to watch the episode to find out!

Episode 6 is probably one of my lesser favorites. Whilst I typically enjoy Penny & Stephen stories, this one is a bit of a downer. Penny is going into hospital for surgery, and she basically makes it out like she won't be surviving. There is a lot of talk of "taking care of Stephen" once she is gone, and so on and so forth.

Episode 7 is a wonderful way in which to end the season. Jean & Lionel find that there is a whole other side to the village near their country house, and that some of the people there aren't so bad. Rocky and his wife Madge make a wonderful addition to the episode, and Madge's rendition of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree" is so charming, that it alone makes getting the DVD a must for me.

There isn't another show like "As Time Goes By" anywhere. Not in the UK, and most certainly not in America. It manages to balance comedy, emotion, and realism with such a deft hand that one just has to watch and enjoy it while all the time wondering: "How do they do it?" The writing, the acting, even the set design - it all comes together so well. The show is excellent. Hands down.

If you want to find out about middle-class life in England, forget Notting Hill, Bridget Jones, Four Weddings and WATCH THIS! Perhaps more appealing to the over thirty crowd, it's comedy is, nonetheless, definitely universal. This series was made for British crowds and not constucted around ideas of what Americans think Britain is like and so gives a more accurate impression of English life. We don't all live in London or that non-specific natural area always referred to as "the country." We don't all drive around in Mini Coopers and we are capable of producing narratives not based on "gritty Northern life" (The Full Monty, Billy Elliot) "hilarious upper-class rom-coms," or London based ganster films a la Lock, Stock... and Snatch. It's not dramatic or edgey, but it does have some skilled actors with well written and intelligent scripts. BUY IT, WATCH AND LOVE IT!

Here's the 5th series of a truely great romantic comedy. All alone it would certainly be confusing to watch but if you have already bought the first 4 series on DVD or watched them on TV, then your in for a real treat.

The main thing I want to point out involves the actual format and not the program. The program itself is by far one of the best (and cleanest) Comedies to come out of the UK in the last 10 years. It's good for the whole family. With the DVD, I noticed no sound problems as noted in another review here. However there were times that the picture seemed a bit grainy. Maybe it's my 6 year old RCA TV, or one of my A/V cables is going bad, but I noticed from time to time that the image didn't appear as crisp as other DVD's or even watching Satellite. It's nothing that really detracts from the series. As, like I said, it's a great show... but as far as DVD quality goes I felt that others might want to know. The extra's are good, but like the past DVD's... really there isn't anything to write home about. It's nice the Tribute at the BAFTA awards... but it's pretty short. The Bio's are as boring as they were on the past disks. I'm not sure if they've been updated at all... but maybe they have. I didn't look that closely. The previews for other shows were ok... but the one for BBC America was perplexing due to the fact that it's been years since they've shown ATGB to my knowledge... and I got a satellite to ensure I'd have BBC-A.

All that asside, this is a great puchase unless you haven't been following the series. In which case I'd recommend you go back and buy the Series 1 & 2 set first. This is a show that's best watched in order. If you've been following the show, there's no reason not to buy this. The DVD route is cheaper than buying it on VHS, the sound and video is better, and it won't take up hardly any shelf space. It would have been nice if this were Series 5 & 6 instead of just 5, but for the price and space it works out pretty much the same.

I really enjoy the program, which I have watched from Series 1 through 6. The programs build on one another, but you can watch the individual episodes without seeing the previous ones. That being said, the characters do grow on you if you've watched them progress. You will have watched Jean and Lionel grow from an awkward couple reuniting after moree than 30 years to a married couple with an extended family. Alistair goes from a shallow, materialist with no character development to one who learns to care for others. Judy and Sandy could use some more depth. All-in-all, a great series.

My wife and I discovered this wonderful series entirely by accident. Not only is the superiority of British acting displayed, it reinforces how love can grow through the years. This is the perfect series to parcel out (thirty minute episodes) over many nights just before bedtime, especially after challenging days. Enjoy and cuddle.

Series 5 picks up with Jean and Lionel taking over his family home in the country and the miniseries is finished and aired.

Episode 1 - Jean and Lionel make their first trip to country house as the owners and get tied up with the local gentry or as the locals call them the weekenders.

Episode 2 - Lionel's ex wife arrives in London. When she shows up, she is no longer the frumpy housewife that Lionel left in Kenya. She is now a slim fashion plate with a boy toy on her arm.

Episode 3 - Lionel has a lot of extra time on his hands. Jean goes to Alister to help find a project for him.

Episode 4 - Lionel and Jean return to the country. But this time, Lionel takes on the "country gentry". (Best episode of Series 5)

Episode 5 - The miniseries is being aired in America. Alister, Judy and Sandy fly to NYC to watch.

Episode 6 - Penny has minor surgery but she is convinced that she is not going to survive and asks Jean to look after Stephen.

Episode 7 - They're back to the country and a greeted by a mob of locals -- and lavished with outrageous gifts including a piglet.

The show gets back on track with some of the best episodes of the entire series.

SPECIAL FEATURES - BAFTA (UK's Oscar & Emmy) tribute to Judi Dench featuring Geoffrey Palmer.

This series just like previous series 1-4 is extremely enjoyable.
I would reccomend this DVD to anyone who loves Brit-comedy.

As Time Goes By is a well written quiet comedy that is timeless. You won't be wasting your money regardless of what seasons you purchase.

A serviceman and a nurse who fell in love and reconnected with each other 34 years later. It is a wonderful love story. It's neat to see how they are both dealing with their love for each other and with others who are now a part of their lives.

This DVD arrived much sooner than I expected. I love this series, it comes on at 10pm on Sunday nights where I live and during the school year I am busy getting ready for my classroom so I often miss it. Having the DVD means I can watch it when I want to and that is wonderful. I can't wait to complete my collection. My family knows this is always on the top of my gift list!!!