Because we are dedicated to honest customer opinions As Time Goes By Series 1 & 2 (DVD), we have also included Amazon's customer reviews for this item (of which 4 are displayed below). Amazon customers have given As Time Goes By Series 1 & 2 an average rating of 5.0/5.
Top Amazon Review
Series 1 & 2 Guide. First of all, Im not who As Time Goes By is aimed at. Im twenty years old and have been a fan since I was 11 , when I stumbled over an episode from series seven. Over the next few weeks i tuned in and was extremely disappointed when at the end of that series they said another series would follow, NEXT YEAR!
Since then I have been a fan, (I was too young to enjoy the first few series as I would have just started primary school when they first aired) as soon as the box set was released I snapped them up.
I was quite unfamiliar with the beginning of the Jean and Lionel story, how they got back into contact after 38 years parted.
Series 1
Sets up allot of the back story to the couple, and some of Judy's history which gets left behind in later series. Philip Bretherton (Alistair) is funny from the word go, especially good at the party (which also has a lovely bit of interplay between jean and Lionel surrounded by what they call "children") and when trying to seducing Jean in Norwich. The series ends nicely with Alistair fancying Jean and Judy making eyes at Lionel, to solve the situation Jean results to a little matchmaking of her own.
Series 2
Starts with shooting the front cover of "my life in Kenya" some of the storylines to do with Lionel's book could be boring if gone into too deeply, however the writers keep the balance by (in episode 2) going back to Lionel and Jean's relationship, and hinting at maybe the beginnings of Judy's and Alistair's relationship ? In series two we meet four character s that bring so much to future series. Firstly Lionel's jovial father Rocky (charming played by Frank Middlemass), impervious Mrs. Bale (Janet Henfrey), twittering Penny, Jean's sister in law (Moyra Fraser ) and Penny's hen pecked husband Stephen (Paul Chapman). Watch out episode 5: Misunderstandings , where Jean and Lionel spend a weekend at Penny's and Stephens.
Customer Review 1
An understated classic!!. As Time Goes By is the type of sitcom that seems to be out of vogue with modern television producers, especially American ones. It is hilarious, but in a genuinely understated sort of way. What makes it even more funny is that the characters are pretty realistic. This makes it all the more believable and it is because of this that the series is even funnier. There are essentially four key characters.
Jean Pargetter is a widow who runs a succesful secretarial agency. She has a reputation as a taskmaster, which has led to her being known as 'Crabapple' and 'Iron Drawers'.
Lionel Hardcastle is a fussy, rather grumpy old man who spent a large portion of his life growing coffee in Kenya. He is now back in the UK doing lectures and writing a book about his life in Kenya, entitled 'My Life In Kenya'. The title is a running joke throughout the first two series.
Judith Hanson is Jean's attractive daughter. She works for her mother, who uses her to win over angry customers with her charm and her seduction tactics which Lionel describes as 'artless'.
Alistair Deacon is Lionel's rich young publisher. He drives an Aston Martin and insists on calling Lionel by various nicknames. Mostly 'mate' and 'Li'.
Jean and Lionel were lovers in the fifties but lost touch due to Lionel's posting in the Korean War. They meet again thirty eight years later(in the first episode). The first two series revolve around Lionel's book as well as Jean and Lionel's relationship. It twists and turns and provides tons of laughs. This set has thirteen episodes and is well worth the money. If you want to be seriously enteratined, check this out. They also have a high re-watching value, so you can enjoy them over and over again. :)
Customer Review 2
Sooooo entertaining!!. If you've never seen this series, or have only seen the later series, then you HAVE to buy this set. It's some of the best comedy the BBC have produced in recent years. It's subtle in places and you can find yourself thinking of people you know in your own life that act like Jean and Lionel!! The factor that really makes this series so good is the brilliant comedy performances by Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer, and what wonderful chemistry and comic timing they have on screen together.The first two series are excellent; showing how Lionel finds Jean again after many many years. All the characters are there such as Sandy and Alistair, the latter is far more irritating than in later series, but you can't help but like him and laugh at his antics.This is the kind of series that entertains no matter how many times it's watched. A timeless sitcom!
Customer Review 3
Simply Scrumptious. This wonderful quiet comedy is perfect for rainy days in front of the fire with a big box of choccies and a hug mug of tea! It's full of life in a quiet, amusing way. The script is amazing and Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer are just wonderful, as ever! She of the sweet and cute, yet acerbic lines and he of the hang dog expressions and grumpy old man conversations! Alistair is another thing altogether, he is like a Red Setter puppy.... full of playfulness but still insanely maddening! He is hilarious in his attempts to chat up Dame Judi's character!Try it, you'll love it! And addiction will surely follow.
