The Unit: Season 1 (2006)

David Mamet created this bifocaled look at army life and all that is coveret. In essence it is two shows, one about an elite, officially nameless army ‘unit’ tasked with high risk, officially off the record operations around the globe; the other the home lives of the army wives back on base, and all the sacrifice and domestic drama that entails. The balance is kept remarkable well, very taught story telling, satisfying as both action adventure and melodrama. As much as I appreciated and enjoyed the show, and recognize its arguable greatness, I just felt a little held back from the proceedings, there’s not a character there I completely connect with, which I’m afraid takes what should have been an A- down to a B+ (which may be just a little harsh). The surprise ‘twist’ at the end of the season final however, couldn’t have been done better.