sandreacci

I happened upon "The Principal" series on Netflix and have to say that it was a very enjoyable watch. I wasn't sure what to expect but within 10 mins of watching the first episode I was hooked and watched all 4 episodes in one sitting. Impressed with the acting talent and the script. Realistic settings and characters. I do like the way it addresses the topic of racial issues in an Australian school but it doesn't take itself too seriously either. It was a good blend of story, acting talent, sets / scenery and script plus it also delivered a good message!

Highly Recommended!!!

I am hoping there will be a second series...

Probably one of the best "end of the world as we know it" series. It is sad that it took as long as it did for Survivors to come to DVD in the US. They obviously didn't have a large budget but they really didn't need it.

One of the things that stands out and actually makes it even better is they did not use any music to set the mood/tone of the show. The actors had to carry each episode along with the script. All too often music is used for dramatic effect and if it was removed, the scene would fail. Not with this series. There is a theme at the start and it comes back in at the end. So no incidental music is used and it actually makes this even better. In fact, I wish this would happen more often.

As with any series, some episodes are not as good as others. The plot sometimes jumps around but for the most part the series holds up on its own and leaves you wanting to know what will happen next. The remake of the show in 2008 does not come close to this original.

I highly recommend it!!!

First, I am surprised that the rating is still as high as it is for this series. Most fans seem genuinely disappointed and let down and I don't think it is because they were hoping that FTWD would be like TWD. Below are the points that in my opinion stand out as reasons why it is not living up to what an experienced group of writers and producers should deliver to fans of this series.

The writers have failed miserably when it comes to getting the viewers/fans to care about the main cast of characters. I realize that this is not TWD series and is supposed to be different but after watching 4 episodes, the writers have yet to convince me that I should care about anyone in this show. Perhaps that can also be attributed to the cast but I don't know if that is fair to say at this time. As it stands, if all of the main characters where to become victims and die off I would not care. I cannot relate or empathize with any of them and it has made each episode somewhat dull.

Failure of the characters to utilize and apply basic general common sense principals. Of course it is sci-fi, but it helps make it a little more believable when the characters behave in the way we come to expect. You have a group of people who act in ways that defy common sense especially when you are dealing with a potential virulent disease / illness that could be spreading. How often have you seen the fear of a contagious outbreak somewhere on the planet and the first thing you see is people will start wearing protective masks. Heck, they do this in some cities because of the air pollution. But no one is doing that in this series. There are so many examples across the board where the adults do things that defy logic and you are left wondering what were the writers thinking.

And I get it - TV shows push the realm of the laughable or there is always the person who does the thing that screams out "don't do it" and you end up yelling why did they just do that. But this show is not a comedy or a spoof or low budget. If anything, I hoped there would be more attention to detail and that the writers would almost try and make it more believable.

No one in this show seems to be worried about anything that could be contagious. And as this is the start of people dying, I think that would be a big thing on everyone's minds. In fact, why are they not more worried and why are there not more precautions being taken. It just is not convincing.

In the end, it seems like the producers and the writers have taken a lax approach to the series and it is frustrating because it has a lot of potential. I cannot remember any scenes in the first 4 episodes where you would really get a lump in your throat because something emotional happened. It just lacks life and so far fails on so many levels.

The producers and writers of this series are doing a poor job but I hope they can bring it back somehow.