Waterloo Road Series 1 DVD Review

 

 

High school means high drama. At Waterloo Road, every day is an education. In this hit British series, students and staff at a troubled school learn lessons that can’t be taught from textbooks. Sharp scripts, strong characters, realistic dialogue, and contemporary topics—from teen pregnancy to bullying—put this bold drama at the top of its class. Jason Merrells (Lark Rise to Candleford) and Jamie Glover (Emma) star. Seen on BBC America. 8 episodes, 7 hrs, 2 DVDs, SDH.

Disc 1

Episode 1

Thrust into the position of headmaster after his predecessor’s breakdown, Jack Rimmer appoints the distinguished Andrew Treneman as deputy head in a desperate bid to save Waterloo Road from being shut down.

Episode 2

Horrified after a student accident, the school’s teens and adults lash out at the perceived culprit. Meanwhile, friction continues between Andrew and art instructor Kim Campbell, and tensions grow between newlywed teachers Tom Clarkson and pregnant wife Lorna Dickey. 

Episode 3

An underage student gives birth on her first day at Waterloo Road, even as Lorna makes a pivotal choice in her life with Tom. Andrew’s new system for the school does not go as planned, and Steph’s hopes for harmony with Jack are dashed.

Episode 4

Drama teacher Izzie Redpath is humiliated when the six-foot-tall bunny standing on the school roof turns out to be someone she knows all too well. Elsewhere, the grades for Steph’s French class seem too good to be true.

Disc 2

Episode 5

Lorna is optimistic about her relationship with Tom, but he has other ideas involving Lorna’s best friend, Izzie. Kim clashes with the head of the English department over a problem pupil, while another student, Chlo, struggles to avoid implication in a school tragedy.

Episode 6

Jack is alarmed when a visiting school inspector states that Waterloo Road is in immediate danger of closure. Under devastating pressure, he goes to Steph with an ultimatum, but she counters with one of her own.

Episode 7

An open house at the school seems like a real chance to avoid closure by the LEA—until one of the pupils assaults a teacher during detention. Andrew questions Jack about Steph’s conduct, Lorna confronts Tom and Izzie, and a gay student stands up against bullying on campus.

Episode 8

Low attendance, bad grades, and a series of catastrophes have kept Waterloo Road on the endangered list. The inspectors are now ready to make their decision, but Jack and Andrew have plenty of other problems to deal with, including a teacher on the verge of quitting.

My Thoughts:

Waterloo Road is Britain's most popular drama, and its easy to see why.  It is set in a comprehensive school (like high school for all you Americans), and the kids face all the normal trials of the wonder years including teenage pregnancy and bullying. But they take on these scenarios  with wit and originality. The characters are relatable and strong. There is just the right mix of romance, tension and danger so that the stories all always fresh.  And Jason Merrels definitely makes some nice eye candy. This DVD set includes the first eight episodes, the climax of which ends with the possibility of the school closing and one of the teacher's quitting. I really enjoyed this DVD and I'm glad to have had the chance to watch it since the show doesn't air in my area. I am looking forward to the second season.

If you want to get the advantage of a full set of amazing  stories that are loaded with murder and intrigue, than this is the box set for you. You can order  Waterloo Road, Series 1 for only $39.99 at Acorn Media.


***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. ***