THE COMMANDER: The Complete Collection

With a strong female lead and intense drama, THE COMMANDER: The Complete Collection debuts as a complete collection onJanuary 16, 2018 from Acorn TV, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Prime Suspect creator Lynda La Plante is the reigning expert on ambitious, reckless female cops. Her gritty crime drama introduces Clare Blake, the steely head of the elite Murder Review Team and the highest-ranking female officer in New Scotland Yard. Portrayed by Amanda Burton (The Level,Waterloo Raod), she’s sexy, driven, and prone to taking risks. Letting her personal life bleed into her career, she always gets too close to her cases, making her vulnerable to those who wish to take her down. This DVD 7-Disc set features 17 episodes (five seasons, 2003-2008), plus bonus interviews with Amanda Burton, character retrospective with Lynda La Plante, a supporting cast featurette, and more ($59.99, Amazon.com). The Commander is also available on Acorn TV. Called a “glorious streaming service… an essential must-have” (The Hollywood Reporter), Acorn TV is North America’s most popular and largest streaming service focused on British and international television.

After 20 years with London’s Metropolitan Police, Clare Blake (Burton) has reached the pinnacle of her profession. She is New Scotland Yard’s highest-ranking female officer, the Serious Crime Group Commander, and head of the Murder Review Team. Ambitious and fiercely dedicated to her work, Blake nonetheless blurs the lines between her personal life and her career. Her recklessness brings her under her superior’s intense scrutiny—and even threatens her life.

This complete collection of gripping mysteries guest stars Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), James D’Arcy (Dunkirk), Saskia Reeves (Wolf Hall), David Patrick O’Hara (The Departed), Yorick van Wageningen (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Celia Imrie(The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Simon Williams (Upstairs, Downstairs), Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey), Matt Day (Rake), andGreg Wise (The Crown).

Street Date: January 16, 2018                         SRP: $59.99

DVD 7-Disc Set: 17 episodes – Approx. 990 min., plus bonus – SDH Subtitles – UPC 054961264490

Bonus: Interview with star Amanda Burton (7 min.), character retrospective with creator Lynda La Plante (9 min.), supporting cast featurette (14 min.), and more.

Contains coarse language, sexual situations, nudity, graphic images, and violence.

My Thoughts 

I have always been a fan of crime television. There is something about a good murder mystery that really gets your adrenaline pumping. When the show in question also features a strong female commander, its even better. With the a Commander, you will be getting more than 16 hours of back to back action that will leave you at the edge of your seat. Just sit back and enjoy British drama at its best. I had never seen this series before getting this DVD set to review, but let me tell you, once I got it I was so enthralled I watched the complete set in only a few days.  Here is a breakdown of each case, some of which are two or three episodes each. 

Entrapment - Blake vows never to cover anything up, but her resolve is put to the test on her first case.

Virus - Blake's affair with a convicted killer makes the news, and a computer hacker is killing patients.

Blackdog - Deputy Chief Constable Blackdog looks into the Lionel Cripps shooting.

Blacklight - A young women is found dead with an escaped mental patient, but this case may not be as clear cut as it seems. 

The Devil You Know - A two year old girl in found dead in an old asylum. Blake pursues a drug dealer and a schizophrenic which leads to blood shed.

Fraudster - A millionaire is found dead in his swimming pool, and it turns out his whole life is a fraud, which leads to many different suspects.

Windows of the Soul - A priest is killed, and his death brings out allegations of abuse.

Abduction - An old women is killed, and a former member of the team is the only suspect. 


This is a great series, and many of the cases feel like a full length  movie. If you want to get the advantage of a full set of amazing  stories that are loaded with murder and intrigue, than this is the box set for you. You can order the Commander Set 2 beginning on January Sixteen, for only $59.99 at Acorn Media.