Episode 1 (Primeval)
Encyclopedia
Episode 1 is the first episode of ITV1
drama Primeval
. The episode was aired on 10 February 2007 as a pilot for the series. The pilot became a success and was picked up before the series was aired.
pursuing Dr. Helen Cutter. Unable to find shelter in a nearby closed supermarket, Helen flees back into the forest. With no witnesses to her disappearance, she is presumed dead.
Eight years pass. At Central Metropolitan University, graduate student Connor Temple approaches his tutor in evolutionary zoology, Professor Nick Cutter, and Cutter’s assistant, Stephen Hart, with a newspaper photograph of a Therapsid-like creature. Cutter initially dismisses it as a hoax, but decides to investigate upon learning that the sighting took place in the Forest of Dean, where his wife disappeared.
At the Forest of Dean, Cutter, Stephen, and Connor find evidence of a large and powerful predator. They are joined in their search by Claudia Brown, a junior-level agent from the Home Office
sent to investigate the monster sighting.
Meanwhile, reptile specialist and London zookeeper Abby Maitland investigates the origins of an exotic lizard named Rex. Abby and the lizard’s owner, Ben Trent, take Rex into the Forest of Dean. They discover the body of a cow lodged high in a tree and are separated when Ben panics and runs. Abby and Rex are forced to hide for the Gorgonopsid, while Ben encounters an anomaly
and briefly looks through it into the past.
The two investigations merge when Abby encounters Cutter, Connor, Stephen, Claudia, and a full-grown Scutosaurus
in the woods. They question Ben about his time in the woods and, based on his story that he “saw the past,” Cutter intentionally frightens the Scutosaurus and it leads them to the anomaly.
A Home Office team led by government official Sir James Lester takes control of the investigation and takes Cutter, Abby, and Rex to a Home Office building. Cutter proposes that the anomaly leads back to Earth during the late Permian
period and convinces Lester to permit an exploratory foray into the anomaly.
At the Forest of Dean, Cutter travels through the anomaly with SAS
Captain Tom Ryan and returns Rex to his home period. They discover the remains of a human encampment, a male human skeleton, and a camera engraved with Helen’s initials. Cutter wants to stay and look for her but Ryan forces him back through the anomaly. Rex also sneaks back through the anomaly to present-day Earth.
In the present-day world, the Gorgonopsid attacks the group and is eventually killed.
Later, the film from the camera is developed, showing pictures of Helen in the Permian landscape. Lester seems satisfied that the crisis is resolved, but Cutter is convinced that the situation is far from over.
Cutter returns to his office at the Central Metropolitan University and catches sight of Helen, but she vanishes before he reaches her.
- Nick Cutter
James Murray
- Stephen Hart
Andrew-Lee Potts
- Connor Temple
Lucy Brown
- Claudia Brown
Hannah Spearritt
- Abby Maitland
Mark Wakeling
- Tom Ryan
Juliet Aubrey
- Helen Cutter
Ben Miller
- James Lester
Scutosaurus
Coelurosauravus
Sarcopterygian- Already dead and fossilized
Ammonite
, broadcast on BBC1
during the episode's 7.45pm time slot. Paul Simpson of Dreamwatch
, although noting some plot similarities to Jurassic Park III
, praised the cast's chemistry and the degree of character development. Kathryn Flett of The Observer
called the series "good fun, nostalgic, and modern at the same time," and despite criticizing its special effects, Victoria Segal of The Sunday Times
called the episode "widely entertaining" and predicted future audience growth. Offering a more comprehensive review, Anthony Brown of TV Zone Magazine
stated that despite sporting a number of science-fiction clichés, "[Primeval] works, brilliantly, and half the time it works precisely because of those things;" further praising the performance of the cast as a reason for the episode's success.
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
drama Primeval
Primeval
Primeval or primæval may refer to:* Primeval, a British science fiction television series.* Primeval , a 2007 film* Primeval , a score of music from the BBC TV series Doctor Who...
. The episode was aired on 10 February 2007 as a pilot for the series. The pilot became a success and was picked up before the series was aired.
Plot
At night. A Gorgonopsid emerges from the Forest of DeanForest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. The forest is a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.The...
pursuing Dr. Helen Cutter. Unable to find shelter in a nearby closed supermarket, Helen flees back into the forest. With no witnesses to her disappearance, she is presumed dead.
Eight years pass. At Central Metropolitan University, graduate student Connor Temple approaches his tutor in evolutionary zoology, Professor Nick Cutter, and Cutter’s assistant, Stephen Hart, with a newspaper photograph of a Therapsid-like creature. Cutter initially dismisses it as a hoax, but decides to investigate upon learning that the sighting took place in the Forest of Dean, where his wife disappeared.
At the Forest of Dean, Cutter, Stephen, and Connor find evidence of a large and powerful predator. They are joined in their search by Claudia Brown, a junior-level agent from the Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
sent to investigate the monster sighting.
Meanwhile, reptile specialist and London zookeeper Abby Maitland investigates the origins of an exotic lizard named Rex. Abby and the lizard’s owner, Ben Trent, take Rex into the Forest of Dean. They discover the body of a cow lodged high in a tree and are separated when Ben panics and runs. Abby and Rex are forced to hide for the Gorgonopsid, while Ben encounters an anomaly
Anomaly (Primeval)
Anomalies are fictional phenomena which occur in the science fiction television series Primeval and are a type of time portal. The anomaly is shown as an orb of fractured reflective or refractive triangles in the air, much like shards of broken glass. One character stated that he could see a...
and briefly looks through it into the past.
The two investigations merge when Abby encounters Cutter, Connor, Stephen, Claudia, and a full-grown Scutosaurus
Scutosaurus
Scutosaurus was a genus of armor-covered pareiasaur that lived around 252-248 million years ago in Russia, in the later Permian period. Its genus name refers to large plates of armor scattered across its body...
in the woods. They question Ben about his time in the woods and, based on his story that he “saw the past,” Cutter intentionally frightens the Scutosaurus and it leads them to the anomaly.
A Home Office team led by government official Sir James Lester takes control of the investigation and takes Cutter, Abby, and Rex to a Home Office building. Cutter proposes that the anomaly leads back to Earth during the late Permian
Permian
The PermianThe term "Permian" was introduced into geology in 1841 by Sir Sir R. I. Murchison, president of the Geological Society of London, who identified typical strata in extensive Russian explorations undertaken with Edouard de Verneuil; Murchison asserted in 1841 that he named his "Permian...
period and convinces Lester to permit an exploratory foray into the anomaly.
At the Forest of Dean, Cutter travels through the anomaly with SAS
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
Captain Tom Ryan and returns Rex to his home period. They discover the remains of a human encampment, a male human skeleton, and a camera engraved with Helen’s initials. Cutter wants to stay and look for her but Ryan forces him back through the anomaly. Rex also sneaks back through the anomaly to present-day Earth.
In the present-day world, the Gorgonopsid attacks the group and is eventually killed.
Later, the film from the camera is developed, showing pictures of Helen in the Permian landscape. Lester seems satisfied that the crisis is resolved, but Cutter is convinced that the situation is far from over.
Cutter returns to his office at the Central Metropolitan University and catches sight of Helen, but she vanishes before he reaches her.
Cast
Douglas HenshallDouglas Henshall
Douglas James Henshall is a Scottish actor probably best known for his role as Professor Nick Cutter in the British science fiction series Primeval.-Early life:...
- Nick Cutter
James Murray
James Murray
-Politicians:* Lord James Murray , MP for Perthshire* James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl , Whig MP and lord of the Isle of Man from 1736–1764* Hon. James Murray -Politicians:* Lord James Murray (1663–1719), MP for Perthshire* James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl (1690–1764), Whig MP and lord of the Isle...
- Stephen Hart
Stephen Hart
Stephen Hart may refer to:* Stephen Hart , Australian Anglican bishop* Stephen Hart , Canadian soccer coach* Stephen R...
Andrew-Lee Potts
Andrew-Lee Potts
Andrew-Lee Potts is an English actor.He attended Intake High School Arts College and began his career in Musical Theatre. Potts is best known for his role as quirky student Connor Temple on ITV's science fiction programme Primeval, starring with his real-life fiancée, Hannah Spearritt...
- Connor Temple
Lucy Brown
Lucy Brown
Lucy Brown is an English actress best known for dual roles in the TV series Primeval.-Early life:Lucy Brown was born in Crawley, Sussex, but grew up in Cambridgeshire. She is the daughter of Christopher Brown and Helen Burleigh and has a younger brother named Mark...
- Claudia Brown
Hannah Spearritt
Hannah Spearritt
Hannah Louise Spearritt is an English actress and singer. She was previously a member of the pop group S Club 7. She is also known for playing the role of Abby Maitland in the British drama Primeval....
- Abby Maitland
Mark Wakeling
Mark Wakeling
Mark Wakeling is a British actor and founder of The Actors Temple in London.-Biography:After serving as an officer in the Coldstream Guards Wakeling trained as an actor and became a professional actor in 1998. He founded The Actors' Temple in 2003 and has since trained under Tom Radcliffe...
- Tom Ryan
Tom Ryan
Thomas M. Ryan is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of CVS/Caremark Corporation. Ryan began working for CVS in 1978 and holds a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island...
Juliet Aubrey
Juliet Aubrey
Juliet Aubrey is a British actress, best known for her role as Helen Cutter on Primeval .-Career:Aubrey attended to King's College London, where she studied Classics and Archaeology...
- Helen Cutter
Ben Miller
Ben Miller
Bennet Evan "Ben" Miller is an English comedian, actor and director. He is perhaps best known as one half of comedy double act Armstrong and Miller, along with Alexander Armstrong. Together the pair wrote and starred in Channel 4 sketch show Armstrong and Miller, and the more recent BBC television...
- James Lester
Creatures
GorgonopsidScutosaurus
Scutosaurus
Scutosaurus was a genus of armor-covered pareiasaur that lived around 252-248 million years ago in Russia, in the later Permian period. Its genus name refers to large plates of armor scattered across its body...
Coelurosauravus
Coelurosauravus
Coelurosauravus is a genus of basal diapsid reptile, with specialized wing-like structures allowing it to glide. These were rod like structures with skin stretched over them; this feature is unique to the genus....
Sarcopterygian- Already dead and fossilized
Ammonite
Ammonite
Ammonite, as a zoological or paleontological term, refers to any member of the Ammonoidea an extinct subclass within the Molluscan class Cephalopoda which are more closely related to living coleoids Ammonite, as a zoological or paleontological term, refers to any member of the Ammonoidea an extinct...
Reception
A commercial success, Episode 1 drew in 6.7 million viewers in the UK despite stiff competition from the feature film ShrekShrek
Shrek is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy comedy film directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow. Loosely based on William Steig's 1990 fairy tale picture book Shrek!...
, broadcast on BBC1
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
during the episode's 7.45pm time slot. Paul Simpson of Dreamwatch
Dreamwatch
Dreamwatch was a British magazine covering science fiction and fantasy films, books and television programmes.Published monthly by Gary Leigh and then Titan Magazines , it was a leading genre entertainment magazine, competing with SFX and Cinescape in the genre magazine market.-Overview:The...
, although noting some plot similarities to Jurassic Park III
Jurassic Park III
Jurassic Park III is a 2001 American science fiction film and the third of the Jurassic Park franchise. It is the only film in the series that is neither directed by Steven Spielberg nor based on a book by Michael Crichton, though numerous scenes in the movie were taken from Crichton's two books,...
, praised the cast's chemistry and the degree of character development. Kathryn Flett of The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
called the series "good fun, nostalgic, and modern at the same time," and despite criticizing its special effects, Victoria Segal of The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
called the episode "widely entertaining" and predicted future audience growth. Offering a more comprehensive review, Anthony Brown of TV Zone Magazine
TV Zone
TV Zone was a British magazine published every four weeks by Visual Imagination that covered cult television. Initially, it mostly covered science fiction, but branched out to cover other drama and comedy series.-History:...
stated that despite sporting a number of science-fiction clichés, "[Primeval] works, brilliantly, and half the time it works precisely because of those things;" further praising the performance of the cast as a reason for the episode's success.