Original airdate: March 17, 2007

When people and lions start disappearing, the team realise that they are facing a new kind of predator…

Primeval comes full circle with the final episode of the first series, as the mystery of the corpse found in the grave in the opening episode is explained, along with mysteries from a number of the characters’ pasts. The reason certain shots have been repeated in the weekly reprise finally makes sense, and Helen’s real agenda is laid bare.

There’s no real closure at the end of the episode – in fact it ends on an almighty cliffhanger that promises a very different show when the series returns. One of the strongest relationships in the show is destroyed by some totally unnecessary bitching from Helen, with Cutter’s life left in pieces for more than one reason.

The predator this week comes from the future, and owes more than a little to the various depictions of vampires in recent TV and films. However, for once, it’s the human drama that is the focus of attention. That’s not criticising the effects, but more praising the acting and direction from the team who had become a coherent whole.

Verdict: With quite literally a whole new world of possibilities to explore, roll on series two… 8/10

Paul Simpson

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