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ran by Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalban), and his sidekick Tattoo (Herve Villechaize). Roarke had supernatural powers and it was often hinted at that he could in fact by the devil and those following their dreams might be paying more than money. In the shows return in the 1990's this fact was more than hinted at.

Originally an inspiration with groundbreaking storylines by the time the show reached the 1980's it had become predictable and often incredibly silly. Whichever the case Fantasy Island was popular amongst the whole family, a popular TV show with an even popular catchphrase as Tattoo welcomed each new arrival with the familiar hail of "Da Plane, Da Plane!"

The Survivors

Set in a new distant future (now our past) the Survivors began when a strange virus spread across the world. A flu like virus only 1 in 1000 people was spared from the disease, the results caused the world to effectively come to a standstill. Those that survived had to return to a back to basics style of living, raising crops, and animals for the production of food.

Chiefly following the exploits of Greg, Abby, and Jenny; the series took its time telling a very complex story, opening with a slow four to five week run before all the shows heroes even met up. The show was unlike anything else mixing science fiction style adventure, with a feel of popular family shows like The Waltons and Little House On The Prairie. Amazingly the show managed to make minor issues look impressive, for example running out of water.

But The Survivors which ran for three years (and is returning in 2009) caused as much upset as it did enjoyment. Focusing on issues like rape, murder, and even hinting at child abuse the show was constantly being slammed by the media. In one particular story a woman was murdered, and Greg, Abby, and Jenny as leaders of a new community had to create a jury that needed to stand judgement over an innocent man with learning difficulties, who confessed to the crime believing he was in fact confessing to something else. The result was that the man was sentenced to death, and the BBC received more complaints than any other show during the decade, with critics calling for its demise.

The Survivors was often heartbreaking, with death of favourite characters only a heartbeat away, only one of the original survivors making it to the final episode. Created by Terry Nation, The Survivors was not only a revolutionary show, it actually ranks as my personal favourite of the shows I have listed, if you get chance to see it, you really should.

Learn more about this author, Spencer Hawken.
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