Product Description

A SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE... AND LAUGHTER. Once upon a time, a dashing young British Army officer and a lovely student nurse fell deeply, magically in love. Then he was shipped off to Korea and they never heard from one another. Forty years later, fate brings them together again - with hilarious results. Starring the acclaimed Dame Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer, this DVD contains all seven heart-warming episodes from the sixth season of the PBS hit, including the episode voted the #1 fan-favorite!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26220 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2004-02-03
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 210 minutes

Amazon.com
Every series of British sitcom As Time Goes By is an astonishing pleasure. Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer star as Jean and Lionel, two long-ago sweethearts who fell out of touch during the Korean War, then--due to a chance re-meeting--rekindled their romance in their late middle age. Series 6 mostly revolves around Jean's reluctantly retiring from her business, along with the stumbling romance of her daughter Judith (Moira Brooks) and their friend Alistair (Philip Bretherton, particularly strong this series). The plots of the show are often gossamer-thin--one entire episode revolves around circumventing the nosiness of Jean's sister--but it doesn't matter. The rapport between Dench and Palmer holds a treasure trove of alternating comfort and prickliness. It only takes a half-finished sentence and a disgruntled look to be screamingly funny. They're as attuned to each other as dancers; their waltz through As Time Goes By is a pleasure to behold. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

A Surprise For Jean
"As Time Goes By" is the gentle, funny story of Jean Pargetter and Lionel Hardcastle, two people who used to be in love in the early fifties. When Lionel went off to fight in the Korean War, the two lost touch. They meet again 38 years later, quite by accident, and what is at first an awkward friendship slowly morphs into a warm romance.

In Series 6 of "As Time Goes By" (originally aired in 1997), we are treated to some of the best episodes yet. It is a near-perfect season. Some fans have even pontificated that this could very well have been a great way for the show to have ended. I count myself in that crowd. It is true that some of the supporting character's plot lines are still left at loose ends, but the romance of Jean & Lionel -- the true story arc of the series -- pretty much resolves itself in series 6, and in such powerful, sweet, and meaningful ways.

There are 7 episodes in all on this set. Episode 1 is a cute, slightly suspenseful story about someone stalking Sandy (Jean & Lionel's lodger). We get to meet 'Nails', one of Alistair Deacon's associates. And another interesting addition to the "As Time Goes By" list of memorable guest characters.

Episode 2 takes up one of the last real threads of the Jean & Lionel story arc: Jean's retirement. Lionel is becoming bored without her home during the day, and the issue is pressed. Jean visits a psychotherapist, because leaving work behind makes her feel somewhat purposeless.

With Jean slightly depressed over becoming "semi-retired", and Judith & Sandy dating new, perhaps questionable men, episode 3 centers around a most unwanted visit from Jean's nosy sister-in-law Penny, and her husband Stephen. It features one of the most hilarious evening banter sessions in any sitcom -- ever.

Episode 4 is a cozy little story set at Jean & Lionel's country house. Mrs. Bale, the housekeeper, is grumpy. Lionel gets sick and must be nursed in bed. A grim doctor visits. And Alistair arrives out of the blue from London. It all makes sense in the end. Sort of.

Alistair announces his engagement in episode 5 -- to a woman named 'Mercury', no less! This puts Judith out of sorts, although she tries not to admit it. The scene in the restaurant makes for one of the best of entire series.

Penny & Stephen pop up again in episode 6, this time because they're interested in buying the house next door to Jean & Lionel's. Needless to say, this does not go over well with our star couple, and this entire episode is priceless simply because of the looks on Jean & Lionel's faces.

Episode 7 is truly a classic. Some fans affectionately call it "The War Museum" episode. Lionel takes a trip to the War Museum, and makes a startling, wonderful discovery which he shares with Jeans at episode's end. Their romance has truly come full circle at this point, and a more touching moment you'd be hard put to find. This episode also deals with Lionel attempting to plan a surprise get-a-way for he & Jean, with everyone's help, and their efforts are absolutely hilarious.

With Series 6 of "As Time Goes By", the show is really running like a well-oiled machine. Chapters begin to close (in the best possible ways) for our main characters: Jean 'semi-retires', and the star couple makes a most welcome discovery. The prime story arcs of the series are completed. Jean & Lionel are married and living comfortably & lovingly with one another, ready to sail into the rest of their life together. Now all that really remains is to see if Judith & Alistair will ever decide to make a go of it, and if Sandy will ever find the right man. Perhaps a certain policeman, first seen in episode 6 of this series, can be of some assistance in that regard?

Series 7, 8 and 9 await...

MORE, MORE, MORE!!!!
What a gentle, loving comedy series! No stress, just laughs. I just wish the last three years (years 7, 8 and 9) would be released on DVDs. It is so frustrating to see out-of-sequence episodes on BBC America and not be able to get the entire year! Does anyone know where we can lobby for the rest of the years? ATGB is like peanuts--one is not enough!

The most wonderful TV experience
The story of Lionel and Jean is the single best experience one could have on TV. During a visit home my mother got me hooked on this show and I can't thank her enough. I fell in love with the characters and the story. Judi Dench and Geoffery Palmer are perfectly cast as are the others. Rocky and Madge are endearing as are the others. It is so well written that it makes one believe in true love again. My only regret is that they've stopped producing new shows.