Survivors (2008) - Episode 1

Episode 1/6. When a flu-like virus decimates the world's population, Abby begins searching for her son.
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As a break from the norm I decided to analyze a British TV series aired by the BBC last year. To get an impression what the series of Survivors is all about, it's expedient to let a description made by the Beeb itself do the talking:

ABOUT SURVIVORS

Imagine being the only survivor of a disease that kills every member of your family, that kills lovers, strangers, friends, nearly everyone you've ever met.

You are among the lonely few to live and now you must start over in a strange new world where everything that was once safe and familiar is now strange and dangerous.

Set in the present day, Survivors focuses on the world in the aftermath of a devastating virus which wipes out most of the world's population. What would we do? How would any of us cope in a brave new world where all traditional 21st Century comforts - electricity, clean running water, advanced technology - have disappeared?

These are the questions faced by the bewildered but resilient group of survivors at the centre of the drama. It is an opportunity for new beginnings, but with no society, no police and no law and order, they now face terrible dangers - not just the daily struggle for food and water but also the deadly threat from other survivors.

"Survivors is about what it means to be human," explains writer and executive producer Adrian Hodges. "It asks questions about our nature and confronts us with our deepest fears. When everything else is stripped away, would we band together and find the best in ourselves, or would we fall apart and retreat into barbarism and savagery? Survivors is about adventure, fear, love, loyalty and friendship. But above all, it's about new hope."

Survivors, by Adrian Hodges is a re-imagining of the classic 1970s BBC drama series which was based on the novel by Terry Nation. It launched in April 1975 and ran for 38 episodes over three series. Source

In the opening scenes it is suggested that in order to successfully counteract a pertinent and threatening flu epidemic the government be in dire need of mass vaccination programs. Therefore it is suggested to the viewer that vaccinations are the automatic no-questions asked remedial answer to disease epidemics. Vaccination programs are the clear-cut be-all and-all answer to all your viral epidemic woes, right? Well, unfortunately what is not being mentioned, of course, is that vaccines actually cause a systemic weakening of the human immune system and thus, paradoxically, make vaccine recipients more prone to develop diseases.[1]



(TS 08:47)

"The Prime Minister is reluctant to put troops on the streets. He feels it should be our last resort. What stage does he think we're in right now?"

This is reminder to the viewer that it is perfectly acceptable and even desirable for a democratic society to transform itself into a de facto police state if the nation is brought into a state of emergency, such as that brought forth by an acute disease epidemic.



(TS 13:40)

"The first cases of European Flu have been reported in Washington and Bejing."

Indicating that the widespread occurrence of the "European flu" in Britain really heralds a world wide pandemic, albeit perhaps originating in Europe.

(TS 14:06)

"We have to isolate people with infection. Quarantine them if necessary."

Thus normalizing the need for quarantine containment during times of crisis. This was already predictively programmed in the viewer by movies such Children of Men (2006).

"It takes years to develop an effective vaccine. We've had days."

This is an interesting quote as it contains a half-truth. The supposition that it takes years to develop an effective vaccine has no basis in truth. Although there may be vaccines out there that are truly effective, experience shows that there is no guarantee the public will ever see them, even after years and years of research. In fact, in practice the vaccines administered to the public prove to be more damaging than beneficial. Remember that there is a depopulation program going on in which vaccinations act like Malthus' welcome little helpers; the sinister raison d'etre of vaccines right there.

(TS 27:46)

"We're talking about more than 90% of the World's population."

And so it is etched in the viewer's mind that the disaster is truly one of pandemic proportions. It is to implant into the viewer's mind the notion of terror that a flu epidemic will result in massive death. Since vaccinations are touted as the sole remedy, the viewer subconsciously or consciously is programmed to want to have that flu shot if and when the occasion should present itself.



The viewer is also reminded that in the final stages of the pandemic all utility services and amenities come to a standstill. Basically, modern society featuring high technological standards and having all its convenient and civilized little bells and whistles, grinds to a painful halt.



(TS 1:13:39)

A scene is shown in which people who have miraculously survived to horrendous wave of onslaught, rather than being glad to see fellow survivors, get hostile and reckless to the point of becoming suicidal.



(TS 1:23:11)

"We stand together or die."

At least the pilot ends on a relatively positive note. Cooperation with your fellow man is king, in order for homo domesticus to have the highest chance of survival in this lonely New World (Order ?).

References:

1. There are numerous sources out there on the Internet documenting the questionable if not downright nefarious side to vaccines. I'll stick to video sources. A small but representative grasp:
   

   Vaccine Nation - Director's Cut (Gary Null)

   
   
   

   Are Vaccines Safe?

   
   
   

   Dr. Len Horowitz (2001)

   
   
   
   More videos at Google video, here.

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