Spiral - Series 1-3 - Region 2 DVD

The show goes under the name of Engrenages in its native France, and it’s a police drama series starring Caroline Proust and Gregory Fitoussi. Known as Spiral when it was broadcast in the UK, what’s drawn people to the show has been how intelligently it treats its viewers. You’re not spoon fed everything here, as instead, the writers offer you enough, but aren’t afraid to let you do some of the work. The conventional Hollywood approach to such subject matter is absolutely nowhere to be seen.

It’s gripping drama, made all the better by it being set in another country, and thus dealing with a different way of accomplishing things. For an English viewer, that certainly helps make Spiral interesting. But it’s the sheer quality of the three series you get here, and the willingness to stray from convention, that make this boxset worth the money. It’s gritty, unpredictable drama, and with further series ordered in France, it’s great to hear that there’s more of it to come. --Jon Foster