Boomtown - Complete Series 1 [DVD]

Sometimes a show cancelled prematurely can still put its competitors to shame. Boomtown was a radical and inventive approach to the ensemble cop show that added up to so much more than just its central gimmick of telling different stories from different perspectives. In fact, after the first few episodes in which the breakneck jumps of viewpoint and the time-frame demanded real attention, it de-emphasised them, while still forcing us to pay attention, making the viewer guess which story we were being told.

Devised by award-winning screenwriter Graham Yost and director Jon Avnet, the first series of Boomtown covered a wide variety of cases: everything from baby-stealing to run-ins with the Russian Mafia, from hostage situations in suburban sports stores to rich kids having justice bought for them whether they wanted it or not. It was also the story of its seven central characters: Deputy DA David (Neil McDonough), for example, failing to cope with his growing alcoholism and sense of disillusion, and detective Joel Stevens (Donnie Wahlberg) endlessly reliving the cot-death of his daughter and his wife's attempted suicide.

If the show had flaws, they were the slight marginalisation of the central female characters--a crime reporter and a paramedic--and the presence of too many storylines that were as much about teaching the characters a Valuable Lesson as credible crime stories. Nonetheless, it was a stunning show, which deserved a longer life. This complete Series 1 box set at least offers a readily available record of it for those of us who liked it too late.

On the DVD: Boomtown, Series 1 DVD box set presents all 18 episodes (a further six were made for Series 2 before the show's cancellation) presented in widescreen 16:9 with the choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0 Pro Logic. The only special features are a trailer and the original series pitch video. --Roz Kaveney

A stylish and gritty multi-angled drama about crime in Los Angeles, the highly acclaimed Boomtown is unlike any other cop show on TV. Intelligent and sophisticated, the series uses fast-paced Pulp Fiction-style narrative to uncover crime stories from the viewpoint of everyone involved. Crimes are seen from the diverse perspectives of the city’s unsung and less than perfect heroes – the cops, paramedics, reporters and members of the D.A.’s office and city officials whose stories overlap and intertwine. Starring Donnie Wahlberg and Band of Brothers’ Neal McDonough, this DVD box set contains all 18 episodes from the first series.

Episodes:

• The Pilot
  
• Possession
  
• The Squeeze
  
• Reelin' In The Years
  
• All Hallow's Eve
  
• The Freak
  
• Insured By Smith And Wesson
  
• Crash
  
• The David McNorris Show
  
• Coyote
  
• Monster's Brawl
  
• Sinaloa Cowboys
  
• Home Invasion
  
• Execution
  
• Storm Watch
  
• Fearless
  
• Blackout
  
• Lost Child

• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  
• PAL
  
• Region Code: 2
  
• Disc Format: 4 x DVD-9, 1 x DVD-5
  
• Running Time: 4 hours 23 mins approx
  
• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 2.0 Pro Logic Surround Sound
  
• Subtitles: None

Episodes:
The Pilot: When a teenaged girl is killed during a suspected drive-by shooting, the story is revealed as it is experienced by the city's competing cops, paramedics, beat reporters and city officials. Detective Joel Stevens and his partner Bobby "Fearless" Smith lead the investigation, while veteran officer Ray Hechler and his partner Tom Turcotte pursue a young African-American suspect (guest star Arlen Escarpeta).

Possession: When a telemarketer making random calls overhears a murder in progress, detectives Stevens and Smith race against time to find the love-crazed murderer's (guest star Michael Dunn) next victim -- while officers Hechler and Turcotte go after the suspect on a city-wide pursuit.

The Squeeze: Fighting to convict flashy defense lawyer Robert Colson (Gregg Henry) for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Deputy Districy Attorney McNorris uses his relationship with Andrea to put the case on the front page, while Detectives Stevens and Smith lean on his slightly mentally unstable brother (David Burke) in the hopes of rattling a confession.

Reelin' in the Years: Tipped off by third strike felon looking to avoid a lifetime behind bars, Detectives Stevens and Smith end a 26-year-old manhunt for the cop-killer "Chimera" -- who along with fellow anti-capitalist radicals stormed a Los Angeles bank, killing the partner of famed detective Paul Turcotte.

All Hallow's Eve: When a posse of armed burglars dressed as cowboys kidnap Teresa, demanding that she save the life of one of their fallen comrades, Detectives Stevens and Smith track the robbery suspects' movements in the hopes of saving the young paramedic's life.

The Freak: When a 10-year-old-girl (Demetra Raven) witnesses a Russian mob hit, Det. "Fearless" Smith vows to protect her at all costs from the ruthless mob boss (Mark Ivanir) she can incriminate, hoping to end his violent business and repay an old debt to his fallen comrade, Freaktown (Miguel A. Nunez Jr.)

Insured by Smith and Wesson: When a robbery attempt at a sporting goods store turns into a violent hostage stand-off, officer Hechler volunteers to go in -- pushed by a desire to prove himself in the eyes of fellow detectives, including Stevens.

Crash: While investigating a deadly accident involving a station wagon and a commercial truck, whose driver alleges the crash was caused by a third car, Detectives Stevens and Smith discover the collision may be the work of an insurance fraud ring.

The David McNorris Show: DDA David McNorris comes dangerously close to selling his soul when he obstructs justice in order to protect a murder suspect -- the teenage son of a wealthy Hollywood producer who can help further McNorris' political career.

Coyote: When a teenage girl Anne Jusdson-Yager) is dragged from her mountain home, Detectives Stevens and Smith are forced to rely on the only eye witness -- a psychotic man (Silas Weir Mitchell) living like a feral coyote in the hills who mimics animal behaviour by mauling one of the girl's attackers.

Monster's Brawl: Investigating the brutal murder of a homeless man bludgeoned to death with a brick, Detectives Stevens and Smith stumble across two amateur filmmakers (Neil Patrick Harris and Christopher Gorham) who are paying vagrants to become would-be gladiators and battle each other in the park.

Sinaloa Cowboys: Responding to a domestic disturbance call, officers Hechler and Turcotte find themselves in the middle of a homicide investigation as their feuding couple, John and Sally McBride, is linked to a murderous drug heist and meth lab explosion.

Home Invasion: Detectives Stevens and Smith lead the search for a murderous trio who are preying on unsuspecting families in their sleep. Determined to stop the killers before they strike again, the detectives stake out the crew's alleged next target.

Execution: On the eve of his execution, a convicted murderer gives a last-minute ultimatum to DDA McNorris -- to save his life or risk the death of a kidnapped LAPD officer.

Storm Watch: Responding to a burglary call, officer Hechler discovers two of his "blue brothers" murdered in an apparent ambush, with the shooters being tipped off by a member of his own precinct. Responding to the possible police scandal, the FBI locks the station down, leaving Detectives Stevens and Ramos to weed out the alleged mole, with one of their potential suspects being officer Turcotte.

Fearless: In a special episode told from his point of view, Detective Smith relives a painful event from his childhood while investigating the shooting death of a small-time drug dealer. Shaken by his former relationship with the victim and the horrific trauma they shared, Smith must make a life-altering decision as he attempts to battle a childhood demon.

Blackout: Aftermath of a drunken night on the town, a frightened DDA McNorris assumes the worst after waking to find his car smashed and covered in blood. Panicked by Detective Smith's investigation of a late-night hit and run the crazed attorney searches for clues to trigger some memory of what happened during his blackout.

Lost Child: Searching for evidence against him, Internal Affairs Dectective Trumper (Dave Brisbin) reopens the investigation into the death of Detective Stevens' baby daughter. Hoping to tear down the detective, Trumper enlists the help of officer Tim Turcotte as an informant, preying on Tom's desire to rise in rank.