Blu-ray Review: THE EVENT Complete Series - Gripping TV Series That Will Never Conclude...
Some television series are definitely a better watch on Blu-ray and The Event is a prime example. Released yesterday on Blu-ray, read on for our review...
Some television series are definitely a better watch on Blu-ray and The Event is a prime example. Released yesterday on Blu-ray, read on for our review... What if there was a cover-up so big that even the President was on a need-to-know basis? And what if some average guy stumbled upon the truth a secret so powerful it could literally change the course of humanity? You think that guy would stand a chance of survival? From Nick Wauters (Eureka) and Steve Stark (Medium) comes a suspense-filled journey where the answers only lead to bigger questions. What will you Believe? Packed with action, suspense, mystery and drama, The Event is more than a television show: it's a spectacle! Creator Nick Wauters must have felt like he was on to a winner here, churning out a series that he thought would keep viewers engaged and actively seeking the next episode... Unfortunately they didn't and the series will not be having a second series come into production. Aside from the fact that the cliffhanger ending will never be resolved, I find it hard to see why the series was so quickly axed, especially seeing as I found it virtually impossible not to skip straight through to the next episode as soon as the end credits rolled on the current one. As the discs kept playing I found myself sucked deeper and deeper into the shows intense and intriguing narrative, wanting to know increasingly what was going to happen. Perhaps watching the series for the first time on Blu-ray helped it's certainly a convoluted collection of plots that run throughout the series and I could understand if due to a lack of cohesion, viewers switched off when it was on television but despite this, the show remains entertaining and enjoyable precisely because it requires some brain engagement. For those who listened to the hype that The Event was to be the new Lost will likely be disappointed, as the series holds more in common with the 24 saga (another show that I thoroughly enjoyed and perhaps another reason why The Event appealed to me as it did). Combining thrilling action with an overarching science fiction narrative, the series is intelligent and exciting: something that many still-running US shows fail to achieve. 
Although I found the series extremely enjoyable, it isn't without its problems. It starts out extremely promising, with multiple mysterious storylines interweaving their way through the 40minute runtime, but frequent flashback sequences whilst helping reveal the back stories tend to confuse more than clarify and bog down the exciting action sequences. As the series progresses and the underlying science fiction plot comes ever to the forefront of the proceedings, it starts to become increasingly ridiculous, as viewers are forced to suspend disbelief. As with many ensemble cast shows, some of the acting is less than stellar at times, with stars such as ... being rather wooden or unconvincing in certain scenes. However, the shows biggest mistake is undoubtedly its pre-occupation with cramming as many interlocking storylines into the 22 episodes as is humanly possible. The sheer extent of happenings (or should that be events?) means that the show is often confusing. The benefit of the rewind button on your DVD remote will become increasingly apparent as episodes progress and The Event is definitely a better watch on this format. Allowing viewers to re-watch episodes or continue through the series quickly means that important elements are not forgotten as a week of everyday life goes by. This helps the show retain some cohesion and makes it a far easier watch for viewers here than it was upon its first run on television. If you didn't catch the show when it aired (or even if you did and it didn't make sense!) then it is worth at least a rent on DVD, as it is an enjoyable and thrilling show even though it didn't make it to a second series... Stand out episodes include: Episode 1: I Haven't Told You Everything Sean Walker stumbles into a national conspiracy after his girlfriend Leila mysteriously disappears from a Caribbean cruise. Elsewhere, President Elias Martinez is scheduled to announce the release of a group of detainees led by Sophia Maguire, despite the disapproval of his Director of National Intelligence, Blake Sterling. Their futures are on a collision course in a global conspiracy that could ultimately change the fate of mankind. Gripping pilot episode catapults audiences straight into the action and intrigue. Episode 6: Loyalty President Martinez and the Director of National Intelligence, Blake Sterling, fulfil their agreement with Thomas, but after their plan goes awry, they suspect that there is a possible mole in their midst. Elsewhere, Sean Walker digs for answers at Leila's home, where he encounters Madeline, a mysterious conspiracy theorist. Meanwhile, Simon's past is illuminated, and his allegiances are tested. This episode is crammed with suspense that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats! Episode 12: Inostranka - Newly appointed Alaskan Senator Catherine Lewis threatens to divulge information about the Mt. Inostranka detention facility on an episode of "HARDBALL with Chris Matthews." Elsewhere, Sean and Leila get a fresh lead on the whereabouts of Samantha, but it leads them to a dramatic turn in their lives. James Dempsey foresees that he and Sean will once again cross paths. With plenty of mystery and action, this episode is a highlight from the series. Episode 15: Face Off - President Martinez and Blake Sterling have the Sleepers surrounded, but after Sophia triggers a national disaster, negotiations ensue. Elsewhere, with a lead on the whereabouts of Dempsey, Sean and Vicky continue on their mission. With some of the most explosive action sequences within the series this episode is not to be missed! QUALITY
The Event certainly looks like a television show with a massive budget: with huge pieces of jumbo jet debris strewn across the desert to the crumbling of the Washington Monument, no expense has been spared when it comes to effects and props. The quality of the Blu-ray images reflect this, with the special effects looking flawless in particular. The image is generally free from grain, blemishing and other distortion, although certain noticeable bits are evident in the occasional episode. The audio quality is equally solid, with dialogue remaining clean and intelligible throughout the series, whilst the ambient and effects sounds are thunderous, thus transporting viewers into the centre of the action!