DVD Review: ‘Silk – Series One’

Article first published as DVD Review: ‘Silk – Series One’ on Blogcritics.

“Taking silk” is a phrase in the British legal field to describe what happens when a barrister achieves the rank of Queen’s (or King’s) Counsel, which typically happens only after at least 15 years experience. The phrase comes from the silk robes these professionals don. It’s also the name of a current British drama that not so long ago aired on BBC America. Silk – Series One, consisting of the first six episodes, has recently been released on DVD.

Created by Peter Moffat (Criminal Justice), who served the bar and so has first-hand knowledge of this world, Silk is the story of a small group of barristers in London. Their competition for promotion is fierce, and the pressure to succeed is intense. This series attempts to realistically portray what it’s like to be in such a contest, and is pretty entertaining in the process.

Martha Costello (Maxine Peake, Shameless) is a smart, ambitious lawyer with a great reputation, who really wants to take the silk. To do so, she is plenty willing to take on last-minute cases, which the chambers’ tricky senior clerk, Billy Lamb (Neil Stuke, Reggie Perrin), throws her way, especially those that will look extra good to the people who will be evaluating her, showcasing her range.

Martha is saddled with training Nick Slade (Tom Hughes, Cemetery Junction), so needless to say, she’s quite busy, having to set a good example for him and make sure he’s learning something while still doing her job. Plus, messy personal issues crop up at inconvenient times, too.

Martha’s chief rival is the funny, but ruthless, Clive Reader (Rupert Penry-Jones, Whitechapel). Not only does Clive make Martha’s job harder, but he soon beds Niamh Cranitch (Natalie Dormer, Game of Thrones), his own pupil, so he’s not the most likeable guy. Clive often succeeds, as any good foe must, but he also has his own share of setbacks, such as when the man he must interview for turns out be a person Clive should stay well away from.

The main challenge that Silk faces is staying believable. The players do tend to be pretty easy to sort into ‘good’ or ‘bad’ categories, which isn’t nearly as interesting as complex parts with layers would be. Martha is a hero and Clive is a villain. There is also sometimes a bit of hokiness in the lengths certain people will go to to achieve their goals, though that is typical of much on television.

What the series does well, though, is raise moral and ethical quandaries. How can the barristers represent someone they detest or argue a case they don’t believe in? Is the judicial system flawed and should it be changed? Are there parts of it that must be upheld no matter what, and are more important than any individual trial? And if the methods of catching a criminal aren’t on the level, should that perp escape punishment? Several of the episodes leave viewers with much to consider after.

The story does culminate in a very exciting, messy finale, in which the fates of several main characters are up in the air. Because of bribery and deception, it’s not easy to get it all sorted out.

A second series has already aired in Britain, with a third commissioned, so there will be closure of these threads for anyone worried about such things.

There’s a single extra on this DVD going behind the scenes of the show. This is far too light, and will disappoint pretty much anyone that likes to look beyond the installments themselves. I’m not sure why a modern series which is still making fresh episodes would be released in such a barren set, but the lack of bonuses is definitely the biggest drawback.

Silk Series One is available now.

Northern Lights The Complete Collection now available

As of today, Northern Lights The Complete Collection is now out on DVD from Acorn Media. This set includes the original 90-minute Christmas special, Christmas Lights, the six-episode followup series, Northern Lights, a six-part sequel series called City Lights, and another Christmas special, Clash of the Santas. Though it may sound like four different shows, each features the same characters, and are all part of the (somewhat) same story. Don't ask why the title for this collection is taken from just one of the four, because that isn't clear.

It begins with Christmas Lights in 2004, the story of two best friends and rivals at Christmas. Colin (Robson Green, Wire in the Blood, Being Human) and Howie (Mark Benton, Scoop, Land Girls) care very much for each other, and couldn't be closer pals. Their wives, Jackie (Nicola Stephenson, The Chase, Holby City) and Pauline (Maxine Peake, Little Dorrit, Shameless), are sisters. They are all neighbors. The guys even work for the same company. Which could be why they are driven to out do each other, whether it be in competition for a promotion, which Howie wins, or in decorating their homes for the holidays, which could be Colin's attempt to even the score. Too bad they don't notice that their single-minded focus on one-upmanship is hurting their lives, both personal and professional.

Northern Lights continues the story. Colin is fired from his job. Finding work as a taxi driver, he tries to replace Howie with a new co-worker, but just doesn't find the same chemistry. Colin is offered his job back, but strives for more. Meanwhile, family drama is paramount, as kids begin dating, fathers die, affairs occur, and secrets come to light.

Unlike Christmas Lights, Northern Lights stops itself from making Howie and Colin's relationship the focal point. This is probably a good thing, as what works for one special isn't as easily drawn out over six episodes. The characters and their relationship are still central to the heart of the story, of course, but there's more going on than that, too, which allows the series to be funnier and more sincere in portraying the lives involved. Well rounded plots lead to better character development.

City Lights goes in a different direction entirely. After witnessing a crime, Howie, Colin, and their families are put into Witness Protection, and move to London. They suddenly have to build new lives under new names, a task easier said than done. But Colin's past comes out, and Howie's marriage crumbles, leading to a pretty serious batch of episodes. In the end, they can't hide forever, and the bad men catch up with them for a final showdown.

City Lights almost feels like another series. Sure, the characters are the same, but the situation is so different, that it bears only a casual resemblance to Northern Lights. There is a much darker feel. Some of the themes, such as infidelity, recur, and the tone doesn't undergo a complete transformation, surprisingly. City Lights is definitely more Psych than Southland. However, much respect must be given to the writers for taking such a bold step for the second batch of episodes, which is likely why it carries a different title.

Finally, in 2008's Clash of the Santas, things get even more surreal. Howie, who hates Christmas, is sent to represent the UK in a Santa convention in Lithuania. Colin, insanely jealous, tags along as Howie's elf. But while there, the pair uncover a German terrorist cell who would like to stop the commercialism of Christmas by making a big statement in the form of death and destruction. With no other choice, Colin and Howie must put their differences aside and try to take down the evil Santa once and for all.

Clash of the Santas is the goofiest and most outrageous of the bunch. While these characters go toe to toe with criminals in City Lights, adding an international and holiday flair back into the mix really makes for a very funny special. Again, the overall tone is kept similar to previous incarnations, but the plot is different enough to really set this story apart.

In short, Northern Lights The Complete Collection brings together an inspired, humorous run from two actors who obviously really enjoy the characters that they play. They make a lot of unexpected choices, especially in the set ups, which keeps things interesting, and the flow is smooth. While not the best of British comedy, it's originality should earn it a spot on any sitcom fan's shelf.

There is only one special feature included. Entitled "Behind the Scenes of Northern Lights," it goes, you guessed it, behind the camera as the show is filmed. It originally aired just before City Lights premiered, so it does not include a look at the entire set. Rather, it focuses on just Northern Lights. It's a relatively standard featurette, with nothing particularly surprising or insightful. But it is interesting enough.

Other than the lack of extras, the biggest complaint about Northern Lights The Complete Collection will be about audio and visual quality. It clearly isn't made with the highest resolution, and little effort appears to have been expended to correct that. As such, one gets what is likely the same stuff that aired, just transferred to another format. This isn't necessarily a terrible thing, but with all the remastered and cleaned up shows being released, it's a bit of a disappointment. It's not horrible, but it's nothing great, either.

Still, this DVD set is worth a look, and thankfully, it's priced rather modestly. There is enough here to justify the purchase. Buy Northern Lights The Complete Collection, on sale today.

Article first published as DVD Review: Northern Lights – The Complete Collection on Blogcritics.