Remember Survivors? No? It was kind of a dark version of The Good Life, in which everyone in the world bar a couple of 'lucky' survivors is wiped out by accidental germ warfare, leaving those behind to eke out an existence for themselves by growing their own vegetables.
It degenerated after a while, but was a good show and it had one of the most chilling title sequences ever (you'll need RealPlayer to watch it).
It turns out the BBC is considering reviving it, according to the Media Guardian (free registration required). Interesting choice for the next revival: I'd have gone with Blake's 7 because the whole "terrorists or freedom fighters?" thing would work quite well right now, but I suspect Survivors would cost a whole lot less to remake. The question is, does self-sufficiency still resonate the way it did during the 70s?
Updates and related entries
August 16, 2006: Blake's 7 may well be coming back.
July 10, 2006 | Reply
Bit before my adult viewing time, but with all the passport stamp shots I couldn't help think of the links with Twelves Monkeys and the journey the virus takes...
July 10, 2006 | Reply
Good thought. That is the intent of the titles, since it's the only actual explanation of why everyone suddenly karks it that the series gives (a title sequence that's actually vital to the plot? Unheard of!).
But are you suggesting a knock-off by T Gilliam, a UK resident during the 70s, when he directed 12 Monkeys?
July 10, 2006 | Reply
Ah but he didn't WRITE Twelve Monkeys. The dramatic book end was lifted from La Jettee by Chris Marker and the story was written by them Peoples people (David and Janet) [They also worked on Blad Runner]. Though Gilliam very much stamped his style on it, I think this element was in the script.
But yeah, 1970s British link could also reinforce it.
July 10, 2006 | Reply
Yeah, but the "everyone's dead" thing in La Jetee was a nuke, not a virus. Don't know whether Gilliam or the writers made the viral adaptation for Monkeys.
But a conspiracy theory is always good.