Jumping straight in at the deep end of the ocean last year was Fox drama ‘Point Pleasant’ from acclaimed producer Marti Noxon of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel fame. When first aired in America, Point Pleasant gained a small but loyal following and sadly was cancelled by Fox after disappointing audience figures despite rave reviews, some of which describing the series as this generation’s ‘X Files’.

Only eight episodes were shown in the States, with E4 snapping up the European rights after five shows, but as with the ill-fated Firefly and Wonderfalls, neither Fox nor E4 decided it possible to air the entire series. Here’s where the DVD box set satisfies the taste of the hardened fan of the series. With all eight aired episodes plus the five unaired episodes and the addition of the never seen before pilot, there’s something for fans of the series along with newcomers alike.

Featuring a fine performance from the entire cast throughout the series, Point Pleasant takes you on a journey through good and evil, with the main character Christina; the daughter of the Devil, being found drowning in the shallow New Jersey end of the Atlantic Ocean. A local lifeguard Jesse comes to her aid to revive her and as with all current US shows, romance and skulduggery ensues! Where Point Pleasant differs from the sandwich of Dawson’s Creek and O.C wannabies is first and foremost a strong and genuinely moving storyline and a performance from the entire cast to match. Hollywood veteran of Melrose Place, Grant Show literally commands the screen from his entrance midway through the early episodes as the Devil’s right hand man. Himself a victim of fate, he tries to guide Christina toward the ‘Dark’ path but with fierce resistance!

As the tale moves toward its climactic end, you feel a sense of involvement with the characters and a need to watch the next show to find out what happens next, which is indeed sorely missed from many a recent series. Overall, the series itself was an exceptional journey into the deepest secrets of the human spirit and a stark look at ourselves. Picture the scene; you’re the chosen one and all you want is to kiss the town’s best looking boy and have a normal life. However, the town’s best looking boy happens to be chosen by God for a purpose!

Hours of relaxing and on occasion intense storytelling make this a must buy for the average sci-fi fan and drama lovers alike. With the perfect cast and location you do really wonder what exactly the guys at Fox are playing at! The only downside to the package is the lack of extras. A making of feature and an unaired pilot may have been the norm a few years ago, but fans have come to expect more from a DVD. Despite this, for £29.99, there isn’t really a better box set to buy this side of March, so keep your eyes peeled for the release at the end of January.