Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		2.5

Intruders: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

Wake me when it's over...

I'm an unapologetic, unrepentant TV junkie. Born and bred. But even I have my limits. Intruders was a chore. Scratch that. A slog, and it took more and more effort to start each new episode. Going in, I was more than willing to give the critically panned series a fair shot. After all, how often does BBC let us down? But that bit of naiveté came before I dragged myself to the end of the first, mind-numbing, logic-throttling episode. Over the course of the next seven episodes, Intruders continually, almost masochistically reminded me I was watching yet another supernaturally charged misfire; the sort that seem to be popping up everywhere. Uninteresting characters, an exhumed corpse of a story, dead-end writing, laughable dialogue, endless mysteries, convoluted plotting and a confounding sense of its own identity, the series plays like a bloated, distended X-Files episode, and not a good one at all. Every attempt to jump start its mythos fails. Every stab at originality falls short. Every performance feels forced. Every twist and turn contrived. Every wild-eyed declaration sillier than the last. By season's end, Intruders hasn't just exhausted its viewers' patience, it's drained all the life out of its concept, left its cast worse for the wear, and unsure of where to go next. Not that many people are worried what comes after "There Is No End." With dwindling ratings and diminishing returns, a second season -- if there is a second season -- would more than likely be a more unbearable slog than the first.

• She Was Provisional: Mysteries unfold as Amy heads to Seattle on business and vanishes; Jack goes to Seattle only to uncover more unanswered questions about Amy’s whereabouts; an old friend visits Jack and asks for his help. Meanwhile, nine-year-old Madison starts behaving erratically after seeing a stranger on the beach. An assassin desperately tries to stop his secret from leaking.


• And Here, You Must Listen: Jack desperately tries to find Amy in Seattle but her movements offer more questions than answers; Madison finds herself in a train station with a ticket to Seattle, an envelope of cash, and a mysterious key. An act of humanity has serious consequences for Richard.


• Time Has Come Today: Jack returns home to find Amy sleeping soundly in bed. She has a logical explanation for her whereabouts in Seattle and professes her love to Jack only to ask for a separation the next day. Jack is terrified for Amy’s mental state. Meanwhile, Gary calls with alarming news. Things get dangerous as Madison hitches a ride to Seattle, determined to evade capture. A deal from Richard’s past continues to haunt him.


• Ave Verum Corpus: Gary reveals a strange link between his former client and Amy. But just as Jack and Gary start to put the pieces together, their only reliable source is brutally murdered. Meanwhile, Madison arrives in Seattle and threatens an old acquaintance. Richard attempts to conceal his secret continues while handling rising pressure from Rose.


• The Shepherds and the Fox: Jack discovers that Gary was fired from the law firm he claimed sent him to Seattle. Jack confronts Gary who confesses that he knows far more about Bill Anderson’s murder and research than he’s previously let on. Even more disturbing, he’s discovered a connection between Amy and Rose that will change Jack’s life forever. Meanwhile, Madison’s instincts are getting stronger as she starts making more sense of Marcus’ memories. Frank’s concern over Shepherd leads to dangerous consequences.


• Bound: Rose confronts Jack to explain the cause of Amy’s recent strange behavior. Amy’s past – one which she has worked so hard to suppress and deny – has come back to haunt her and the only way to protect Jack may hurt him the most. Meanwhile, Richard discovers a secret about Rose that could destroy her ascent onto The Nine. Shepherd himself is skating on thin ice as Madison continues to evade his grasp.


• The Crossing Place: A gruesome discovery buried in Jack’s backyard incites him to make one last attempt to bring Amy home. Rose remains haunted by a tragedy from her distant past and abducts a lowly waiter whom she’s certain will have answers. Tired from running, Richard confesses to Rose the truth about Marcus’ return while Marcus gets ever closer in exacting his revenge against Rose. Gary has finally realized how to expose the corruption behind Qui Reverti, but it demands an unthinkable sacrifice.


• There Is No End: In the season finale, Jack discovers the alarming depth and scope of the organization to which he’s lost Amy. Marcus and Madison engage in a fatal struggle. Richard is forced on the run but recruits an unexpected partner along the way.

Intruders: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The first season's 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation is fairly faithful to the series' source, but that isn't saying as much as I wish it were. Bland, dull, and diluted, the image is beset by crush, clarity inconsistencies, noise and a prevailing murkiness that benefits no one, least of all the show's small fanbase. Detail is impressive at times; soft, bordering on hazy at others. Colors, too, are unremarkable, with a bright, blue-cast light draining the life out of an otherwise effectively moody, competently saturated palette. Ah well. All is not lost. Black levels are deep and inky, skintones fare pretty decently, and edges are free of ringing and aliasing. Several scenes look quite good, particularly in the first four episodes, and a variety of close-ups handily best the shots that come before and after. Banding and macroblocking are also kept to a reasonable minimum, though each one makes several appearances over the course of the season's eight episodes. So loosen up those shoulders. They'll be doing plenty of shrugging.

Intruders: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

BBC Home Entertainment's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is the highlight of the disc, if only because the sound design is better suited to enhancing the series' atmosphere. The LFE channel offers plenty of support, especially when many of the first season's developments come to a head in the final three episodes, and low-end elements are granted welcome heft and presence. The rear speakers, meanwhile, help to create a solid soundfield. Directional effects deliver, pans are smooth and effective, and dynamics are notable. (Not remarkable, mind you, but notable.) Dialogue is clean, clear and intelligible at all times too, and prioritization is spot on. The music comes on a bit too strong now and again, but it's hardly a distraction. (Or, for that matter, a technical issue.) All told, Intruders' AV presentation isn't one of the disappointing aspects of the release.

Intruders: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The only special feature included with the Blu-ray release of Season 1 is "Inside The Intruders" (HD, 10 minutes), an overview of the production with key members of the series' cast and crew.

Intruders: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A clear, piercing thought kept circling my mind while watching the first season of Intruders. "Oh God, oh God. Please don't let there be a second season. Please don't let there be a second season." (Followed by bouts of uncontrollable silent screaming.) Little redeemed the series for me; little made it worth watching. I did, though, and I did it for you. Save yourselves. Don't let my sacrifice be in vain. On the upside, BBC Home Entertainment's Blu-ray release offers a solid AV presentation. The supplemental package amounts to a 10-minute featurette, but I was too relieved to be done with the series to worry about extras. My suggestion? Avoid Intruders at all costs. It's six hours of your life you'll never get back.