Wow, it seems like just about every month I get introduced to an old series as DVD sets hit my desk. A&E is one of the best when it comes to releasing older British TV adventure and science fiction shows. In the last couple of years, I learned about almost all of the shows created by Gerry Anderson, gotten to see shows starring Tony Curtis and Roger Moore, and found out what Robert Vaughn and David McCallum were up to following the cancellation of “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” This month, I was pleased to have the opportunity to watch a series called “The Tomorrow People.” Originally created back in 1973 by Roger Price, “The Tomorrow People” centered on a group of young people categorized as ‘homo superior.’ They each had different abilities, which ranged from telekinesis to teleportation. There mission was similar to that of the X-Men, in that they were always on the lookout for new members as they would ‘break out’, or show their powers.

They also considered it their duty to protect the Earth from danger, whether from within or without. They often had to take on alien beings, and as such the episodes I saw were quite action packed.

The series was insanely popular with young people, though surprisingly enough it was a bit more violent than is the norm for a show like this. And often it covered themes such as racism and Nazism, which were not to be found in most other shows at the time that were aimed at younger audiences. It ran for a full eight seasons, and generally had multi episode stories going on. In the case of the first two seasons that are included on the new A&E DVD release, there are a total of six multipart stories. After the initial eight seasons, it was thought that “The Tomorrow People” were gone for good. But due to the fan outpouring, 1992 saw the return of a new series (with a new cast) which ran for additional three seasons. Then in 2001, members of the original cast were brought together to start recording new audio adventures of the series, and to the best of my knowledge they are still being produced today.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the show at first. I knew I was going to have to deal with less than stellar special effects, but as I can appreciate the limitations (both budgetary and technological) I had hoped the series would be well written and acted enough to keep my interest. Fortunately, I was right on both counts. The effects were a bit cheesy, but much like the way you’ll find older “Dr Who” episodes. The stories were much better than I had expected. I kind of felt like a kid again watching it, and seeing these characters learning about their powers reminded me of a time when I dreamed of having powers of my own (okay… I still do…).

Though it took me several days to get through the episodes presented here (and truth be told, I still have a few left), it has been worth it. I’ll grant you it looks like kind of a geeky show, and there is a good chance that those of a lower intellectual level will be turned off by the style, but I am enjoying the heck out of it. Speaking of geekiness… I happened to notice that the episode(s) for “The Medusa Strain” happened to include David Prowse. (If I have to tell you who that is, you’re not a member of the elite audience who will like this show.)

A&E is releasing these first two seasons in a handsome four disc set. They’ve included commentary by some of the stars (Young, Peter Vaughan-Clarke, Sammie Winmill) on “The Medusa Strain”, which is quite good. You’ll find some cast biographies and origins of some of the characters. It’s an all around good release and one I recommend to my sci-fi geek brothers and sisters.

Episodes:
The Slaves of Jedikiah – Parts 1-5
The Medusa Strain – Parts 1-4
The Vanishing Earth – Parts 1-4
The Blue and the Green – Parts 1-5
A Rift in Time – Parts 1-4
The Doomsday Men – Parts 1-4

Starring: Nicholas Young, Peter Vaughan-Clarke, Sammie Winmill, Stephen Salmon, Elizabeth Adare
Extras: Commentary with Nicholas Young, Peter Vaughan-Clarke and Sammie Winmill on “The Slaves of Jedikiah”, The Origins of the Tomorrow People, Cast Biographies
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital Stereo
Studio: A&E
Release Date: 5/31/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give The Tomorrow People: Set 1 a B.