As Time Goes By: The Complete Series, Vol. 5

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.

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.