Product Description

A stunning sci-fi epic that re-envisions the future of mankind, this top-rated, action-packed original series is "intriguing" (Associated Press), "fascinating" (Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel) and "deep and intense" (Science Fiction Weekly)! Luke Perry ("Beverly Hills 90210," "Oz") stars as Jeremiah, one of the many young survivors of the "Big Death" that claimed the lives of every adult in the world 15 years ago. Now forging his way through a bleak wilderness fraught with danger and conspiracy, Jeremiah and his most trusted friend, Kurdy (Malcolm-Jamal Warner), are plunged into thrilling adventures that test every facet of their humanity…and ultimately the fate of the human race itself!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8918 in DVD
• Brand: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
• Released on: 2004-01-20
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Full Screen, Box set, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 6
• Dimensions: 1.10 pounds
• Running time: 887 minutes

Amazon.com
Jeremiah fans have been clamoring for the release of the show on DVD (it originally aired on Showtime), and with 19 episodes and a passel of special features spread out over six discs and totaling nearly 15 hours, they are unlikely to be disappointed.

Based on a series of graphic novels by Hermann Huppen, the show takes place on an Earth where, some 15 years earlier, a hormonal virus killed everyone who was past puberty. It's an intriguing premise, but one that creator J. Michael Straczynski (best known for his work on "Babylon 5") and his team haven't exploited to its fullest. The slow-moving, 90-minute pilot episode explains little of the internal logic of this post-apocalyptic world; how, for instance, did these young folks, the oldest of whom were only 12 or 13 when "the Big Death" wiped out six billion people, manage to survive, educate themselves, and learn skills and trades without any adult influence in a society that's in shambles? It would be fun to know more.

Still, the show's ideas are provocative, and the work of co-stars and TV stalwarts Luke Perry as the title character, a hero with a conscience, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner as his more cynical sidekick, is good. Jeremiah, to its credit, doesn't rely on special effects, production design, costumes, or sets to carry it. That means the burden is on the ongoing themes (Jeremiah's guilt over his younger brother's death and his search for the maybe-mythic "Valhalla Sector"; the threat of the plague returning in an even more virulent form; the attempts to rebuild civilization) and individual stories, which are frequently compelling and smart (especially "Things Left Unsaid," the two-part season finale, a cliffhanger that offers many possibilities for future seasons), even while favoring talk over action.

The special features occupy disc 1, along with the pilot, and include deleted scenes, production sketches, and commentary on the pilot by Perry (who also executive produced) and Warner. If you're looking for superior sci-fi escapism, however, try Farscape or Stargate SG-1, to name just two. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews

One of the best speculative fiction shows
Why only four stars? Well, I have to knock it down a bit for Sam Egan's episodes because while they did improve as the season went on, they just could never compare to JMS'. I hope in the coming seasons a writer will be able to jump on board and pick up the reins where JMS left off and keep the momentum going. Also, I was a bit disappointed to see that it is not being presented in Widescreen as that would have been the smarter move for MGM to make.

The premise might not be for everyone as it is a dark and grim view of our future but the underlying message is about hope. The characters in this series are at a crossroads -- they can continue to prey off the remains of the "old world" until there is nothing left or they can try to rebuild their world into something better than what came before them.

Season one was a bit of a bumpy ride and perhaps had a slow start but it was worth it in the end. I followed this show after being a fan of Babylon 5 for many years and knew it was going to be worth it if I just held out long enough. Boy, was I was right!

It was fun to pay attention to the little details that were semi-hidden on the first viewing, only to discover that they all contributed to the greater arc of the show. Even the "bad" episodes all tied into the larger picture and became part of a wonderful tapestry called, JEREMIAH.

Some of my favorite episodes that had my head spinning for days at the numerous possibilities presented were FIREWALL, TRIPWIRE and the two-part season finale, THINGS LEFT UNSAID.

If you haven't had a chance to see this show, I strongly urge you to check out this series, as it is one of the most thought-provoking and intelligent shows produced. Give it a season and if you aren't hooked by the end, return it or donate it to your local library. However, I have a feeling that you will either tune into Showtime to see season two or you will be anxiously awaiting the next season's set to arrive at your door.

A study of the human condition....
Call me weird, but this show is almost a study of human nature. It vividly portrays the many possible ways humans will react when they have lost everything. Some will turn to crime, victimizing everyone so as to better their own condition. Others will turn to despair, and simply lead lives that ultimately amount to nothing. And sadly, very few will try to help their fellow human beings, at a cost to them.

It is sad to think that if the show's premise really did happen, we would have more "raiders," "psychos," and "animals" than we would have people like Jeremiah.

Anyway, I came upon this show on a Sam Goody store. I was browsing their dvd tv section, when I saw this boxset. I had never even heard of this show before, but I took a chance and bought it on an impulse buy. Let me tell you, it was the best 70 something dollars I've spent.

One of the best sci-fi series in a while, it is smart and well written. All the episodes, while seemingly loosely connected, actually weave a deep story arc about the rebuilding of a civilization gone wrong.

I'm wondering if the "reviewer" Upright Ape has even seen this series. What makes me wonder is when he refers to this series as having pretty FX. I mean, this series is probably the only sci-fi series that doesn't really have much in the way of special FXs. I mean, unless he's calling the big explosion in episode 3 a major FX? As for sayng this series is a knock off of a knock off, is like calling Star Trek a knock off of any other space fairing piece of sci-fi that came before it. If that's the case, I can say that Star Trek is a knock off of the old Lensman series, which most modern sci-fi is derived from.

He then goes on to mention some rather obscure (at least to me) series and book, and then says this is the most overused theme in sci-fi? I'm sorry, but while I do agree that the basic premise of Jeremiah has been used before (what in sci-fi has never been done before?) the series, as a whole has a very unique way of portraying the after effects and the goals of the people living in this world. The fact that the eldest were killed by a virus is only the setting of the story. It's like saying that any space show is merely a knock off of another, which we all know is quite fallacious, since while the setting might be space, each show creates their own universe that is radically different from any other.

More great JMS work...
I think jeremiah (based on a series of graphic novels by hermann huppen) is an excellent show, and another example of JMS at his best. Although some of season 1 fell a little flat (mostly scripts NOT written by JMS), it is still an excellent show for any that like long, arc based entertainment. I was actually impressed with Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and I never thought in a million years I would say that. The stories are entertaining, and sometimes frightening (Firewall, Tripwire, etc.) Most importantly, it sets the stage for what has so far been an outstanding season 2. As a HUGE JMS fan, I can't wait for this set to hit shelves.