DVD Reviews: 2010 Rookie TV Seasons Including ‘The Good Wife,’ ‘NCIS: Los Angeles,’ More

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“NCIS: Los Angeles: The First Season”

DVD Rating: 3.0/5.0

The #1 new program of 2009-2010 in terms of ratings stars LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell. Who would have guessed? The success of “NCIS: Los Angeles” is further proof that traditional star power means nothing on television and that viewer interest in slick procedural mysteries shows no sign of dropping. It’s also proof that people love brand names. “Law & Order,” “CSI,” and now “NCIS” have all turned into franchises, not mere programs. Is it that hard to envision a future where more shows break off into similar location-based installments? Not considering the fact that this mega-hit regularly approached the top of the Nielsen ratings for the week and finished the year 9th overall.

NCIS: Los Angeles: The First Season was released on DVD on August 31st, 2010. Photo credit: CBS/Paramount Home Video

Success is one thing, but is it any good? Not really. I get that viewers love the two stars and the show is so briskly-paced that things like awful dialogue, stupid jokes, and plot holes fade away but when you watch more than one episode in a row with the season one DVD set, the flaws of the program really stand out. I’ve always had a problem with shows that use real-life fears as entertainment. It too often verges on exploitation. Also, I don’t think that “NCIS: Los Angeles” needs to be as goofy as it often is. Some of the humorous repartee around the office (too often with the slumming Linda Hunt) is cringe-worthy. Having said that, it’s easy to see why the show as the hit that we all knew it would be. It’s an expertly made, well-acted, briskly paced hour of television that any fan of TV action shows would be curious about adding to their DVD collection. It’s a 44-minute action film every week with a pair of charming leads. It’s only a matter of time before we’re watching “NCIS: Chicago,” “NCIS: Boston,” etc.

“NCIS: The First Season” is presented in a widescreen aspect ratio with a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound Track.

Special Features:
o “Inspired Television: NCIS: L.A.”
o “The L.A. Team Meet The Cast and Crew”
o “Inside The Inner Sanctums: The Set Tour”
o “Do You Have a Visual? Inside the OPS Center”
o “Lights, Camera, ACTION! The Stunts of NCIS: L.A.”
o CBS Promos
o LL Cool J Music Video “No Crew Is Superior”
o Making of “No Crew Is Superior”
o Spin-off episodes from NCIS Season 6
o Commentary by Shane Brennan on “Identity”