Average Reviews:
(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.
The show first aired in 1992, and continued production through 2002. A lot had transpired in the lives of Jean & Lionel and their ever-growing extended family during those ten years, and the series ended with Jean's daughter Judith marrying her on-again, off-again book publisher boyfriend, Alistair Deacon. Jean's secretary Sandy moved to Canada with her boyfriend Harry for a one-year attachment to the Royal Mounties.
The Reunion Special DVD consists of two 45 minute episodes produced in February 2005, which pick-up where the end of the series left off. Judith and Alistair are trying to have kids, with nothing to show for it, and Sandy & Harry are back from Canada, with Harry wanting to try out for a dangerous police job, much to Sandy's dismay. An unexpected visitor arrives from Lionel's past, which causes a minor stir. Many of the old favorite supporting characters are back, including Penny & Stephen, Rocky and Mrs. Bale.
I enjoyed the two specials quite a bit. They came as a welcome return to form after the last series (season) of the show. That series was only four episodes, and felt rushed. One of the hallmarks of "As Time Goes By" is its slow, gentle pace. That is once again on full display here with these two specials. The first 45 minute episode is probably the better of the two. It has a little more plot than the second episode, although both are generally good. My main qualm comes with the end of episode two (which, at this point, constitues the end of series). It relies a bit too much on coincidence for my tastes, but that is a relatively minor quibble.
It's rare to find such a consistently well-produced and entertaining show as "As Time Goes By." The writing, acting and directing have almost always been top-notch, and it's a pleasure to have these two new specials. In fact, we're treated to even further deepening and exploration of the Lionel character through the arrival of the person from his past, a feat which isn't often accomplished 13 years after a character has been introduced. It's yet another testament to the quality viewing experience that is "As Time Goes By."
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The lyrically funny romance of Jean and Lionel continues its whimsical course in the Reunion Specials as Jean Pargetter's (Dame Judi Dench) great anticipation for grandchildren is revealed much to husband Lionel's (Geoffrey Palmer) dismay. With son-in-law Alistair and daughter Judy having problems things don't look too promising. But will Jean's dream of becoming a grandmother come true when Sandy and her husband Harry return from Canada?
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