Day Break: The Complete Series

Offering a suspenseful twist on the premise employed in Bill Murray's Groundhog Day, this short-lived series was one of the more intriguing launched during the 2006-07 season, and while it only lasted 13 weeks, a second look confirms that Day Break is a show worth revisiting. L.A.P.D. detective Brett Hopper (Taye Diggs), framed for the murder of an assistant D.A., goes on the lam after his alibi fails to convince investigators. Waking up the next morning, Hopper finds himself reliving the events of the previous day. As the cycle repeats itself, Hopper realizes that each new morning brings him another chance to solve the mystery and clear himself—but with a multiplicity of suspects to track, the detective quickly discovers new and unanticipated wrinkles. Adam Baldwin has a choice supporting role as an Internal Affairs officer, and Meta Golding is excellent as Hopper's sister, an abused wife who's used as a pawn by the mysterious forces framing her brother. Granted, it's not easy to concoct endless variations on the same basic plot, and occasionally Day Break's writers fail to attain the level of suspense generated in the first few episodes, but the series' average is fairly high, with perennial second-banana Diggs making a good leading man. DVD extras include seven never-before-broadcast episodes, audio commentaries, cast and crew interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and photo galleries. Recommended. (E. Hulse)