Gaslit: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Gaslit: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 29, 2023

It's been a interesting few weeks for Blu-ray releases based on something other than an original screenplay, a novel or short story, or historical event. 80 for Brady was a movie based on a photograph, and here's another odd one: a movie based on a podcast. Granted, the podcast is based on historical events, but Gaslit retells Slate's narrative-driven podcast from the series' first season that featured interviews with those close to the Watergate scandal, the June 17, 1972 break-in at Washington, D.C.'s Watergate Hotel which ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974. The series stars Julia Roberts and Sean Penn as central figures to the narrative but secondary players to the scandal, allowing for a unique look at the story that's not intimately within it but not fully detached from it, either.

Official synopsis: Based on Slate's "Slow Burn" podcast, Gaslit is a modern take on the Watergate scandal through the long-neglected lens of the lesser-known but no-less-key players involved in the downfall of America's 37th president – from Nixon's bumbling, opportunistic subordinates, to the deranged zealots aiding and abetting their crimes, to the tragic whistleblowers who would eventually bring the whole rotten enterprise crashing to the ground. Sean Penn is former Attorney General John Mitchell and Julia Roberts, with a Golden Globe nominated performance, is celebrity socialite Martha Mitchell in this riveting story of secret break-ins, smear campaigns, and one woman's risk of everything for the truth.

Roberts plays Martha with a level of complexity that surpasses any reasonable expectation for the show but satisfying every expectation for the character. As the story progresses, her place in it radically redefines her life, simultaneously while battling her own failing health and crumbling relationships. These influences leave her broken, of course, but at the same time cementing her legacy which boils down to three words: "Martha was right." This is the show's climax, and through its eight episodes it builds the case not merely for why she was right but for how being right brought all sorts of wrong into her life. Martha centers the show, she grounds it, and for all of the support characters, the scandal, and the various moving parts and pieces, it is she who brings its balance and purpose. Support cast is excellent and production values transform the screen int the 1970s, but the show's engine is unquestionably Martha's heart and soul.

The following episodes comprise Gaslit. Summaries are courtesy of the Blu-ray packaging.

Disc One:

• Will: Martha Mitchell struggles to balance the demands of a re-election campaign with those of her marriage. John Dean's ambition is tested as he finds himself drawn unknowingly into a conspiracy inside Nixon's campaign.
• California: Martha and John rekindle their love and their power-couple working relationship at a campaign event in California, overshadowed by G. Gordon Liddy and his team bungling the break-in at the Watergate.
• King George: As John Mitchell and his subordinates struggle to manage the Watergate coverup, Martha finds herself in a dangerous situation. John Dean puts his relationship on the back-burner.
• Malum in Se: Martha and John try to enjoy their new life away from politics, but Martha has trouble moving on from what happened to her in California. John Dean has a hard time moving on from his breakup.

Disc Two:

• Honeymoon: Martha finally speaks out, putting a strain on her marriage. The FBI comes closer to an answer on the real story behind Watergate and John Dean is forced to come clean to Mo on their Camp David honeymoon.
• Tuffy: Frank Wills, the security guard who lost his job at the Watergate over the break-in, struggles with his newfound fame.
• Year of the Rat: All hell breaks loose between Martha and John surrounding her decision to testify. John Dean is surprised by a new legal development as G. Gordon Liddy faces his own trial in solitary confinement.
• Final Days: In the final days of the Nixon administration, Martha struggles to hold the family together in the midst of its decline. Dean and Mo ready for their own future as G. Gordon Liddy gives Dean a parting gift.

Gaslit: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Universal brings Gaslit: The Complete Limited Series to Blu-ray with a fine 1080p transfer. The image is faithfully rendered, offering stout detail and fine color reproduction in every episode. The picture thrives at this resolution, allowing audiences to explore and soak in exquisite detail within faces and throughout various interior and exterior locations. Faces are intricate mazes of lines, pores, and hairs, and the excellent visibility only helps to enhance the drama and emotions that run through the show. The picture's clarity reaches even fine blades of grass, intimate clothing lines and seams, and background details in homes and offices. Color reproduction is very good. The tones appear slightly faded and often pushed very warm to give the show a modest throwback appearance, but within these parameters tones are vivid and rich with healthy blacks, brilliant whites, and excellent skin tones at work. There are no serious source issues or encode blemishes to report, either. This is a very good presentation from Universal.

Gaslit: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Gaslit: The Complete Limited Series certainly doesn't ignite home theater audio systems with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless presentation, but it is nevertheless faithful to the straightforward source and pleasantly clear and detailed through the eight episodes. The presentation is largely front-heavy with the center channel carrying the bulk of content. Music will drift to the sides and play with light surround engagement, but the front is where most of the action takes place, and the music is generally softer and more subtle than it is powerful and explosive. Mild atmospherics in exterior scenes help to bring some life beyond dialogue, and the listener will appreciate the track's willingness to spread content out for maximum immersive impact, subtle though such may be. Dialogue is the main audio element in play, and it is clear and center positioned for the duration. The track scores highly for fidelity and faithfulness to the fairly straightforward source, and if listeners expect a straightforward listen they will be pleased with what Universal and DTS have accomplished with this one.

Gaslit: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This two-disc Blu-ray release of Gaslit: The Complete Limited Series contains no supplemental content. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. No slipcover is included, but the inner print matter does offer the episode summaries as recreated above.

Gaslit: The Complete Limited Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Gaslit explores a well-known slice of still fairly recent history with searing personalities front and center. The move from focusing on the main players and looking at the scandal through something of a more peripheral perspective is welcome and unique. The performances are excellent, the pacing is steady and sure, and the story is compelling and fairly original despite its close ties to a well know slice of modern American history. This Blu-ray set offers excellent video and audio presentations. It's a shame that no extras are included, but the content is good where it counts. Recommended.