The Whistleblowers - Series 1 [2007] [DVD]

Better than average debut from a show I knew absolutely nothing about before purchasing. I'm in the U.S. so my t.v. culture is a bit different and I like to try out other things for relief. I tend to like the six episode (or slightly more) format that British shows offer as I tend to not like to feel as if I've been put thru so much filler for commercial time outs. I liked the overall idea of the show and the actors in it - Richard Coyle was brilliant in Couples (but crap with doors as it goes) and Indira Varma was a pleasant surprise even though I thought she was Preeya Kalidas from Bodies with a slight nose job. I don't have his name, but I especially liked the actor who played Kenny - here in America I'm sure someone would invent a drinking game around his appearances similar to someone downing a shot everytime Jack Bauer says dammit. The overall chemistry seems genuine and the storylines are well done however I do have two problems with the show. One, the show seems like it's trying too hard to be an American show. Too many quick cuts and scenes that rob the viewer of a better overall story picture. This ties in directly to my second problem with the show - the issues that are tackled in each episode are too big for a simple forty-five minute show. Each of the individual episodes could have been spread out and not been comprised. The first episode alone could have been the entire six-episode run if done right. Anyway, I did enjoy the show overall and if there is a second series I would check it out.

The subject matter is bountiful, conspiracies and injustices that our two lawyers latch onto and try to resolve. Indira Varma is the female lead and I've enjoyed everything that I've seen her in since 'Rome'. Sadly the stories were a bit procedural rather than thrillingly investigative and there wasn't any flair between Ms Varma and her fellow lawyer played by Richard Coyle that could lift the mundane script and flat directing. Only my view, as the stories should have been much more exciting given the subjects were police kidnapping, pharmaceutical misdemeanors, waste disposal companies that may be causing cancers.Plenty of well known actors pop up in the series including Adrian Dunbar (Hastings in L.O.D.), Paul Freeman, Daniel Ryan and the greatly underrated David Threlfall who I've just watched in the excellent HBO production 'Conspiracy', amongst many others who are very familiar faces in British tv series.6 episodes totaling 280 minutes, in my view a dream for an actor or writer with enough screen minutes to bring to life the subject matter. Disappointing that Tony Marchant is one of the writers and producers. Could have done better. Unforgivably NO ENGLISH SUBTITLES. Come on.

Corruption and whistleblower's attempts to expose do need to be covered by drama but the task is challenging because most of the action is digital and not visually appealing to an audience wanting entertainment. The lawyers are implausible but their technical support is good. Maybe we need a spin off series with just him?

The packaging was not ok...it was open at both ends, so anybody could easily have removed a movie or two along the way!! There should have been tape or a string around it to hold it together. But the movie was great, as expected!

Does not play on my DVD player. Any suggestions??? Would love to see the movie. No warning was offered that it can't be played in US.

Great and up to date drama. The stories are very believeable and are totally gripping. Aside from the lead characters - a real gem is Kenny who is a vital link to the success of the show. Do not be swayed by a few negative comments as this is cracking TV. The behind the scenes section is pretty standard fare. The set is a fab buy which is cheaper than a typical CD purchase. Cannot wait for Series 2 and I will buy it!!

Tho' light entertainment with some stockdevices and characters, it sometimes touches on real issues in plausable and intriguing ways. You won't be disappointed if you buy at the price I did, anyway.

AS GOOD AS IFEMEMBER