East West 101: Series 3

This third and final season of the Australian cop drama set in a culturally diverse part of Sydney begins with an armored car heist that leads detective Travis (Matt Nable)—a military veteran who served in Iraq—to assume it is the work of Islamic extremists. And that puts him at odds with his colleague Zane (Don Hany), a devout Muslim caught between his Arab and Australian identities, and the gulf between the pair only grows as the evidence points to a civilian militia that contracts with governments, some of whom served with Travis. While this situation plays out over the entire season, there are also individual cases along the way that take on sexual assault, sexism in the department, and PTSD. But it also offers more instances of officers who let their emotions override procedure as they become personally involved: Travis becomes angrier and more self-righteous as he tries to protect former brothers in arms, and the commanding officer (Susie Porter) risks a case against a serial rapist by putting her career ahead of justice. The show takes on racism and culture clash, yet it sidelines Zane's Pacific Islander partner Sonny (Aaron Fa'aoso) for most of the drama. Along with the increasing level of dysfunction of the squad, this makes for an alternately engaging and frustrating show with provocative storylines, vivid action sequences, and volatile personalities. Compiling all seven episodes from 2011, extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette and deleted scenes. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)