A series that survived cancellation, saved thanks to a bold deal with cable television station Watch, the fifth season of Primeval is, as a result, likely to be discovered by many for the first time on DVD and Blu-ray. After all, this wasn’t screened on ITV this time around, and the audience, in turn, was smaller. But don’t be fooled--the production values here remain as strong as ever, and the ongoing narrative takes some very intriguing twists and turns. This is a full-on series of the show, and an exciting one at that. Thus, we get Primeval’s usual blend of monsters and critters causing all manner of problems, but also the secrets bubbling under the surface.

At its best, Primeval is terrifically good fun, particularly when it busts the budget and really goes to town on its monsters. There’s some excellent work in this series of the show, and it’s exciting, blockbuster television entertainment, with increasingly intriguing storylines. A sixth series would be very welcome indeed, and with any luck it’ll have a little less trouble getting commissioned…

Back at full strength, with Abby, Connor, Lester, Jess and Matt on board - the ARC team must race against time once again in its fight to save the public from the terrifying creatures appearing through the anomalies. The members encounter vicious burrowing creatures, enormous underwater predators, a raptor on the rampage in Victorian London; a Tyrannosaurus Rex prowling the streets and a mass of ferocious future-beetles laying siege to the ARC Headquarters.

But even as the team faces its most formidable challenges yet, it may have more to fear from inside the organisation. Can any of them they trust the new lab assistant April? Why is Connor set on helping Philip? And can Matt and Abby do anything to stop them? As secrets, plans and betrayals come to light, it’s time for the team to decide just whose side its on…