The Show
In a curious contrast, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, later screenwriter and director, shows much the same flair for Hollywood action he displayed with 1987's The Untouchables in the TV series he created, The Unit, based upon Command Sergeant Major Eric Haney's book, Inside Delta Force. The unit itself is an elite U.S. Army Special Forces team, super-brave, super-talented soldiers who have seen and done it all. For them, Season 4 starts with an attempt to assassinate not just the president but the president-elect and both their veeps, too. The year ends with a plot to simultaneously detonate nuclear bombs in three American cities, leaving room for a season-long arc wherein they uncover who is behind these dark deeds, and why.
As you would imagine, the show is bursting at the seams with the latest military hardware, and it clues us in on the "secret" protocols they use. We also learn about the code that these men and women live by, and the drastic toll it can take on their loved ones, all in the name of keeping America free, and safe. The 22 episodes in this set represent the final season of The Unit.
The Picture
First, the bad news: Dimly-lit or softly-focused areas of the 1.78:1 frame can be a little noisy, and some of the backgrounds can look a little unnatural, as happens with the necessary compression in the high-def video realm. But in general the clarity of the image is excellent. There's plenty of drama to justify the shootouts and bombings, and so many a crisp close-up, while wide shots convey ample realism in a variety of locations.
The Sound
For many TV shows on Blu-ray, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is wasted on dialogue and half-hearted effects. Most definitely not so for The Unit, which exhibits a fullness even in mundane scenes, and a strong bass presence to the music. And when the action starts, the gunshots and explosions don't just rock, they have that extra bit of sparkle that makes them truly dazzle. There's no shortage of discrete surrounds, finely rendered environments like the inside of a military plane, assorted flyovers, and a true 5.1 soundfield experience overall. The results are spectacular, better than some feature films.
The Extras
"Into Hell: A Brotherhood Divided" is an eleven-minute look at the two-part episode that culminates the team's in-fighting, and one particular subplot about an unfaithful spouse that began way back in the pilot. "Shadow Riders: A Western Come Undone" (eight minutes) goes behind the scenes for the unit's trek across Afghanistan on horseback, chased by the Taliban, like a modern-day tale of cowboys and Indians. "Snake Doctor: A Leader Among Us" reveals the star (as commander Jonas Blane) Dennis Haysbert stepping behind the camera to direct. All of these featurettes are in HD. Tucked onto Disc Two are five minutes of Deleted Scenes from Episode 9, "Shadow Riders," in standard definition.
Final Thoughts
Now that I've finally immersed myself in the thrilling world of The Unit, I'm miffed and saddened that I didn't make more of an effort to watch it first-run, and now that run has ended. Oh, well: That's what Blu-ray is for, right?
Product Details
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