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(More customer reviews)"As Time Goes By" is the gentle, funny story of Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle, two people who used to be in love in the early fifties. When Lionel went off to fight in the Korean War, the two lost touch. They meet again 38 years later, quite by accident, and what is at first an awkward friendship slowly morphs into a warm romance.
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.
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Once upon a time, a dashing young British Army officer and a lovely student nurse fell deeply, magically in love. Then he was shipped off to Korea and they never heard from one another. Forty years later, fate brings them together again? with hilarious results. In this fifth installment of the popular series, Jean and Lionel adjust to life as newlyweds.
Click here for more information about As Time Goes By - Complete Series 5
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