Primeval - The Return of the Primeval Monsters Season 4 - DVD

Content: For some time it looked quite as if the third season of the popular fantasy series Primeval - The Return of the Primeval Monsters would also be the last. Due to the high production costs, the British broadcaster ITV saw the series primarily as a loss-making business, which was acknowledged with the cancellation of the series. However, the success of Primeval abroad, especially in the USA, and the participation of other broadcasters, including ProSieben, in the production costs, made two new seasons possible. While the new episodes were shown in England as the 4th and 5th seasons, in Germany they were broadcast in one piece, so that in this country all 13 episodes were combined as the fourth season.

After Danny, Connor (Andrew Lee Potts) and Abby (Hannah Spearitt) followed Helen through an anomaly at the end of season three to stop the mad scientist from her plan to stop humans from evolving, Connor and Abby were stuck in the Cretaceous period for a year, separated from Danny. When they manage to return to the present, they learn that Danny has been declared dead and that their colleague Sarah has also died in a rescue attempt. The ARC is now run by billionaire Philip Burton (Alexander Sidding) along with James Lester (Ben Miller), the command center is overseen by the attractive Jess (Ruth Kearney), and ex-military Matt Anderson (Ciaran McMenamin) has joined the ARC as team leader for field operations. And as if that weren't change enough, Burton also insists that from now on only military-trained field personnel will be allowed to fight the prehistoric monsters that have come to the present from the anomalies. Abby is transferred to Internal Affairs and Connor is relieved of his duties with the ARC. But it quickly becomes apparent that neither of them will let that stop them from pursuing their calling. And so even Burton must quickly bow to the fact that Connor and Abby are an indispensable part of the team. But even if something like normality seems to set in over time, no one yet suspects that the anomalies, dangerous as they may be in the present, could spell the end of humanity in a few years - and that one of them is directly responsible for it...

A host of nasty primeval monsters, visitors from Victorian England, a secret plan that could jeopardize the future of all humanity - all these are ingredients from which thirteen exciting episodes of the popular series are made. Although little has changed in the concept of Primeval since the start of the series in 2007, the basic tone and dramaturgy have undergone a noticeable development. The new episodes also add some elements that make the action even more interesting. The true origins of Matt and his actual mission, the plotline involving Emily Merchant (Ruth Bradley) and the dangerous Ethan (Jonathan Byrne), culminating in a brief return by Danny Quinn, or Philip Burton's New Dawn project, all make these final episodes of the series for now very exciting and extremely entertaining.

The finale is relatively self-contained after one final, almost apocalyptic episode, apart from a mini-cliffhanger. So, with no plans for another season at the moment, it's fair to call it a rounded and worthy ending. But Primeval fans don't have to despair: a US spin off is already in the works and should be seen in Germany in 2013. And rumors of a possible feature film persist as well. Even if this is the end of the original series, new anomalies are bound to pop up somewhere soon and bring new prehistoric monsters into our present. And that's something to absolutely look forward to after this well done season!

Picture + Sound: Technically, the episodes are on a good to very good TV level. The picture is clean throughout, the good image sharpness is very noticeable, especially with some of the special effects, and the color mixing is also on a good level throughout. The stereo mix is also neatly implemented, but unfortunately can't make full use of its surround potential. Overall, however, there is still a satisfied: Good!

Extras: Both halves of the season have each on the second disc a Making of (about 20 + 15 min.) to offer. In addition to the story and the actors, the sets and special effects are also highlighted. Two short documentaries worth watching, of which one would have liked to see more.

Conclusion: Primeval - The return of the primeval monsters offers again in the fourth season entertaining entertainment, which can convince with some British humor, respectable effects and an exciting story arc. It's a good thing that the series, which had actually already been discontinued, was given these thirteen episodes after all. The technical realization is on a good level for a current TV series, the bonus material is clear, but very worth seeing. Therefore applies: who does not possess yet the two single releases, which should access with this complete box of the fourth season absolutely!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp