Dead Set Episode 5 Electrifies the Small Screen: Review

Director Charlie Brooker continues with the series "Dead Set," with this fifth and final episode. Beginning with a one hour introduction of characters and converging story lines the series "Dead Set," could really have been a five hour mini-series rather than the three hour television special that the film came to be. Not shying away from blood and gore throughout "Dead Set," Brooker primarily focuses on the social relationships between characters while adding in an action sequence or two to enliven the visual display. Tight in story structure and character development "Dead Series," is a biological, apocalyptic story that only intensifies in later episodes.

Have a look at a review of the final episode and plot summary of "Dead Set," past the cast and crew information.

Release Date: October 27, 2008 (United Kingdom).

Rating: Restricted for partial nudity, sexuality, violence, and gore.

Writer/Director: Charlie Brooker.

Cast: Chizzy Akudolu, Shelley Conn, Raj Ghatak, Jennifer Aries, Cavan Clerkin, Drew Edwards, Elyes Gabel, Krishnan Gurur-Murthy, Madra Ihegborow, Maxi Moffatt, Rachel Ogilvy, Jaime Winstone, Kyle Summercorn, Andy Nyman, and Riz Ahmed.

Episode five for "Dead Set," continues with the frenetic pacing from the previous episodes by beginning with an action sequence involving gunfire. Riq (Riz Ahmed), underfire and looking for girlfriend Kelly (Jaime Winston) manages to get past Marky (Warren Brown), who is the acting zombie guard on the "Big Brother," set to meet up with Kelly. After, reuniting the central characters in one setting heated tempers and more conflict than the former episodes leads to a violent confrontation between Patrick and the rest of the housemates. Patrick (Andy Nyman) seems to be forefront in craziness while formulating a plot to escape from the "Big Brother," house. Most of the other characters seem happy in their present situation, but when Patrick gains another vote from Joplin (Kevin Eldon) things take a violent and horrific turn.

The dialogue in this final episode is more vile and venomous than previous episodes while director and writer Charlie Brooker pokes fun at the viewers of "Big Brother," in the last act and final episode of the "Dead Set," series. Most of the characters, after Joplin opens the studios gate wide open become part of the zombiefication of the English nation and "Dead Set," ends on a rather dark and sombre note. The death of Patrick, who is full of vitriol shifts the final episode into deadlier territory as character after character succumbs to undead attacks. There are no happy endings in "Dead Set," especially when central character and final surviving crew member Kelly sacrifices herself to the unrelenting zombie mob. Ending the episode with Kelly, already a zombie and peering blankly into a television screen Brooker manages to make fun of the "zombies," who watch the "Big Brother," shows while capitalizing off the popularity of the reality show, or series with this five part television series.

Beginning with a suspenseful tone and staying in theme throughout the "Dead Set," series episode five challenges viewers to understand the entertainment value of reality shows and provides one of the best horror series across continents. "Dead Set," manages to amp up the zombie, horror genre with ravenous antagonists and conflicting character interactions, only the short run time of the series and some overly dark, artificial lighting manages to take way from an otherwise thrilling ride through a biological apocalypse. In believable tones "Dead Set," is a mature television series, with United Kingdom flavour that must be seen by those looking for a horrifying, yet entertaining dramatic viewing. Catch "Dead Set," on Video-On-Demand through Netflix or on DVD.

Sources:

Dead Set at IMDB

Dead Set Homepage

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Posted in: 2008,andy nyman,charlie brooker,dead set,dvd,jaime winston,jennifer aries,kevin eldon,raj ghatak,review,shelley conn,synopsis,warren brown