Customer Reviews

As Time Goes By - Reunion Specials

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"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.

The show first aired in 1992, and continued production through 2002. A lot had transpired in the lives of Jean & Lionel and their ever-growing extended family during those ten years, and the series ended with Jean's daughter Judith marrying her on-again, off-again book publisher boyfriend, Alistair Deacon. Jean's secretary Sandy moved to Canada with her boyfriend Harry for a one-year attachment to the Royal Mounties.

The Reunion Special DVD consists of two 45 minute episodes produced in February 2005, which pick-up where the end of the series left off. Judith and Alistair are trying to have kids, with nothing to show for it, and Sandy & Harry are back from Canada, with Harry wanting to try out for a dangerous police job, much to Sandy's dismay. An unexpected visitor arrives from Lionel's past, which causes a minor stir. Many of the old favorite supporting characters are back, including Penny & Stephen, Rocky and Mrs. Bale.

I enjoyed the two specials quite a bit. They came as a welcome return to form after the last series (season) of the show. That series was only four episodes, and felt rushed. One of the hallmarks of "As Time Goes By" is its slow, gentle pace. That is once again on full display here with these two specials. The first 45 minute episode is probably the better of the two. It has a little more plot than the second episode, although both are generally good. My main qualm comes with the end of episode two (which, at this point, constitues the end of series). It relies a bit too much on coincidence for my tastes, but that is a relatively minor quibble.

It's rare to find such a consistently well-produced and entertaining show as "As Time Goes By." The writing, acting and directing have almost always been top-notch, and it's a pleasure to have these two new specials. In fact, we're treated to even further deepening and exploration of the Lionel character through the arrival of the person from his past, a feat which isn't often accomplished 13 years after a character has been introduced. It's yet another testament to the quality viewing experience that is "As Time Goes By."

Having watched most of this series on my PBS station, and bought half the dvds here at Amazon, and the other half on vacation, I can tell you this was a welcome change to my PBS lineup one Saturday Night (they actually showed it at least 4 times already), and a welcome addition to my never ending library to start 2006. It's done as a 2 part 45 minutes each story, with both young couples Alistair and Judith and Harry and Sandy returning to the Hardcastle home with the usually newlywed worries, the former worried that they can't have a baby, and the latter about to have one while Harry looks for a promotion. With their usually humor, the old 50s vintage couple of Lionel and Jean set them both right. The climax comes at the end of part 1 when a handsome young Kenyan comes calling to see "his father". This gets resolved right away in part 2 as it turns out he's part of a large family that looked to Lionel as a father for putting up money for them to live while living there. Now he's an intern at the local London hospital. Eventually, Steven and Penny (Jean's first husband's sibling and in-law), Rocky (Lionel's father) and Mrs. Bale (Rocky's housekeeper) show up to had more fun to this warm hearted return to a series that ran a decade on BBC and PBS and continues to rerun in many cities here. Definitely a must add to your box set (or individual installments) of the original series.

This 2-hour reunion special of "As Time Goes By" is strictly for ATGB fans. The light-hearted quirkiness of the half-hour show tends to embrace and forgive the more far-fetched elements of many episodes, but it gets strained a bit when extended over two hours.

Alistair seems more than a little caricatured as he worries about his sperm count, and Jean seems a self parody as she installs baby cribs in the townhouse, long before even a promise of forthcoming babies. Meanwhile, the rest of the regualrs make their appearances - Judy, Sandy, Harry, Penny, Stephen, Mrs. Bale, and even Rocky, who has characteristically taken up a new interest - line dancing. Like a true farce, everyone ends up together in the last scene, this time at the ER, along with a long-lost "son" of Lionel's, who is now a doctor.

The DVD includes a featurette revealing among other things a reading of a script for one of the episodes and a taping before a studio audience. And there is an additional selection of outtakes and bloopers from the series. Good fun.

I received my copy of the "As Time Goes By - Reunion Special" this week and watched it last night. My title pretty much says it all - flawed but fun (in spots). In trying to put my finger on the major problems that I encountered in watching the program, I came to the conclusion that it lacked much of the charm of the original series. As others wrote, this DVD is not a good introduction to the series, and is primarily aimed at fans who are already committed to the characters.

Jean, as played by Judy Dench since the inception of the series several years ago, has always had her annoying moments. Her logic is frequently flawed and she never learns to keep her nose out of other people's business. But those who are long-time viewers are used to her quirks, although her purchase of the two baby cribs in advance of anyone being pregnant, is even a little over the top for her. She flies around the set like a demented butterfly, for no purpose other than to be ditzy. For years we have heard Lionel tell Jean how beautiful he found her when they met, and still finds her, yet from her reaction one would have thought she had just heard it for the first time.

Lionel and Sandy continue to be the most down-to-earth of the regulars, and as usual didn't disappoint this viewer. I have never liked the character of Penny, Jean's sister-in-law, but for once she seemed almost like a tonic played against Jean's extreme silliness. Penny's husband, Steven, IMO deserves a new wife: younger, sexier, and more tolerant. If there is another special in the offing, which seems likely from the last few minutes of this program, I hope they ditch Penny, along with Rocky, Lionel's ancient father.

And that brings me to the biggest problem with the special, at least in my opinion: only a couple of years are supposed to have passed since the end of the regular series and the reunion stories, but the actors have aged in the normal manner, since in real time it has been several years since the final season. Phillip Bretherton, who plays Alistair, now has very grey, almost white, hair, which is quite attractive, but makes the passage of real time more obvious. Lionel, and the actor who plays his father, now look the same age, which is jarring.

Not to be morbid about it, but we die-hard fans know that this lightweight special is something precious, for as the principal actors age a reunion special ten years hence may not be in the cards. If another one is waiting in the wings, bring it on!

If you were to watch the As Time Goes By Reunion Specials without having seen the series up until now, you would probably not take to the characters. Jean and Lionel are a prickly old couple, with Jean an over-the-top ditzy mum, Lionel the long-suffering husband, and the middle-aged "kids" finally beginning their lives away from the nest. Alistair has become an insufferable caricature, Rocky and Mrs. Bale are just bizarre, and Penny and Steven possibly the most realistic, but not terribly likable.

On the other hand, if you have been following the series, this is a visit from old friends and you'll forgive their eccentricities. The stories are unlikely, with Jean anticipating both Sandy and Judith having babies soon, though as far as she knows, neither is planning a family. Alistair is freaking out because Judith isn't pregnant and she thinks he's to blame. Sandy and Harry are back from Canada and Harry is applying for a dangerous post with the police, to Sandy's dismay. A character from Kenya turns up to visit Lionel. Hilarity ensues.

Fans of the series will enjoy catching up with the gang and the story is almost secondary to seeing how they look since the "final" series.

The Reunion story line was great! I did miss the original Harry from the series.Other than that , the series picked up where the last left you. This gives you a glimpse of Judy and Sandy as now married ladies.Jean and Lionel's relationship is still strong and funny. This also had a surprise in the story line! Over all I like the entire series and this was just the cherry on top!

Unlike the United States that waits 20 to 30 years before having a tv series reunion and they only reminisce with flashbacks, the British do things right.
After the successful BBC tv series, "As Time Goes By" left the airwaves in 2002, they had a reunion 3 years later on December 3, 2005. In fact, the entire cast returned for two brand new episodes with a new storyline.
DVD running time: 1 hr. 35 min.

Returning: Judi Dench, Geoffrey Palmer, Moira Brooker, Philip Bretherton, Jenny Funnell, Daniel Ryan, Moyra Fraser, Paul Chapman, Janet Henfrey, Frank Middlemass.

Jean Hardcastle is very excited that Judy & Alistair, as well as, Sandy & Harry are returning for a visit. In fact, jean has prepared a bedroom by buying 2 baby cribs. None of the girls are pregnant yet, however Jean wants to be ready for future grandchilden and hopes Judy has an announcement to make.
Lionel is being much more sensible about this, but Jean wants Lionel to have a man to man chat with Alistair.
Lionel gets a surprise visit from Patrick (David Oyelowd). Penny, Stephen, Rocky and Mrs. Bale also come by to visit.

This DVD set also includes 8 1/2 minutes of very funny blooper and outtakes from the original run of the tv series and reunion special and a behind the scenes featurette.

Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer also appeared together in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and Mrs. Brown (1997).

Let's hope for many more reunions!

Note: In the United States, "As Time Goes By" is a very popular tv series and is still broadcast on the PBS Network. On KCET, in Los Angeles, it is occasionally broadcast on Saturday 8:30pm. Check your local listing.

One of the reunion specials was actually what inspired me to purchase the entire series of As Time Goes By. This is a wonderfully witty show that really invites you into its circle.
These episodes are not included in the boxed set of the show so must be purchased separately. This fact drops it only about a half a star (not a big deal).
The other half star deduction comes from the lack of true destination for these episodes. It is truly just a quick revisit to some fantastic characters and really doesn't wrap up any loose ends or come to a final destination.
To anyone who likes As Time Goes By this is a must have.

Whether it's with a cup of tea and a warm scone, or a wee gin & tonic and a tray of "things on sticks", fans of ATGB, rejoice! Yes, some of the "youngsters" are graying, but the cast is still in top form. While the writing is a tad edgier, these specials still feel like a warm and comfy visit with old friends. Lionel more clueless? Jean more of a dotty nag? Mrs. Bales and Rocky totally barmy? Well, think about what they were like when the series left off, then fast forward a bit. MORE time HAS gone by! IMO it's a realistic touch that their foibles have become more pronounced. No matter, Jean and Lionel are clearly still in love.

The weakest aspect of the series remains the obvious lack of chemistry between Bretherton and Brooker (Alistair and Judy.) I'm also very curious to know why the actor who originally played Harry was replaced. This was the only jarring note in an otherwise seamless sequel.

Note: To those overzealous reviewers who insist on revealing the plots-- PLEASE DON'T, and please read Amazon's review posting guidelines.

If you can't keep the plot lines to yourself, at LEAST note in your subject heading that your review contains *spoilers*.

For those of us that are true Anglophiles, then this series goes without additional comments. But for those that are new to BBC comedies this series is superb. Whether you are a follower of Dame Judy Dench or have seen the rest of the actors from this series on PBS pleadge drives, you can not go wrong with this series. You only wish that it were still on now. This is not a confusing series where you have no idea who plays whom each week or having to review a previous episode to understand the current plot. It's a solid production and a must have for the standard BBC follower to own. I have the complete set myself and treasure it each and every time I watch it. I only wish that the series would go on to where you could see them 5, 10 and 20 more years down the road. You can understand them and not have to ask anyone else "what did they say?".