This BBC series, which was aired in the U.S. on Netflix, follows British detective Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson), who is sent to Belfast with instructions to review a seemingly unsolvable murder. Stella realizes that the crime is actually part of a wider set of serial killings, although her Belfast law enforcement peers are not immediately impressed with that conclusion. Viewers quickly learn that the culprit, Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan), is a respectable and seemingly benign grief counselor, whose criminal spree is made possible by meticulously researching each new victim. Unfortunately, The Fall swiftly outstays its welcome, resorting to substantial padding as the narrative plays out, so that the cat-and-mouse game soon becomes stale. Still, the show is somewhat redeemed by the leads: Anderson's star power makes her more interesting than her weakly drawn character should be, while Dornan (best known stateside for his role in the ABC series Once Upon a Time) manages to create an effectively balanced portrayal of a dignified professional barely hiding his lunatic underside. Compiling all five episodes from the 2013 debut season, DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette. Optional. (P. Hall)
The Fall, Series 1
Acorn, 2 discs, 306 min., not rated, DVD: $39.99 January 27, 2014
The Fall, Series 1
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