Silk: Series One

While the peculiarities of the British judicial system might seem befuddling to some American viewers, this BBC series centering on a London law office serves up an enjoyable mixture of court procedural and inner-chambers intrigue, plus some romance. The firm's two top barristers—driven, principled Martha Costello (Maxine Peake) and suave, cynical Clive Reader (Rupert Penry-Jones)—are both seeking elevation to the rank of Queen's Counsel, which is called “taking silk” due to the distinctive robe worn by members. Their competition is complicated by a couple of factors: Martha and Clive were once involved, and Clive's new trainee is a judge's daughter whom Clive immediately beds (Martha's charge, by contrast, is a flustered young fellow who pilfers things when his funds run low). The plots involve a coup against the firm's chief clerk—a sort of authoritarian office manager—as well as courtroom jousting in cases of murder, rape, police misconduct, and a variety of lesser offenses, including keeping dangerous dogs and reckless driving. Silk is initially hard to warm up to, since none of the characters are particularly likable—including Peake's Costello, who seems awfully prim and self-righteous. But the series skillfully juggles the numerous narrative threads and moves at a breathless pace, kind of like L.A. Law or The Practice on steroids (with an English accent). Compiling all six episodes from the 2011 debut season, extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette. Recommended. (F. Swietek)