Intruders is a sign of the growing strength of BBC America.
This series, an adaptation of the novel by Michael Marshall Smith, is no import from the Motherland. Instead it is a collaboration between the BBC and BBC America. The mini-series of 8 episodes shows a number of familiar faces from both sides of the Atlantic including John Simm (Doctor Who, Life on Mars) and Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite, Mimic) with direction from The Blair Witch Project writer/co-director Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Stamm who directed The Last Exorcism. Glen Morgan, who produced The X-Files during a large portion of its run is on board as executive producer and music comes from the very talented Bear McCreary (Battlestar Galactica, Defiance, The Walking Dead). That’s some solid pedigree behind the show. Can it deliver?
THE SHOWThe show shows multiple plot-lines encircling a central idea, which is the existence of a secret order that perpetuates their own lives by being reborn into a new host body in each generation. Souls are reawakened by triggers, quenching the existing personality and allowing another to return, picking up where they left off. Its a very intriguing idea; one that clarifies the existence of child prodigies, or geniuses such as Tesla, Beethoven or Einstein. Several lives of accumulated knowledge will allow you to make something of an impact.
Each of the intertwined plot-lines show different facets of the process and order. The central thread involves Jack Whelan (Simm) a former-cop-turned-author whose wife Amy (Sorvino) starts behaving strangely and eventually disappears. In tracking her he becomes aware of her involvement with this society. This is closely connected to a police investigation by his old colleagues into a spate of murders and some discovered burial sites that hint at strange rituals. James Frain is a glowering presence as Richard Shepherd, who is essentially one of the internal policemen within the society. He seems to have his own agenda, both personally and professionally. Finally, one of the more notable members of the case is Madison O’Donnell (Millie Bobby Brown), a 9-year-old girl, who prematurely has the soul of a old and “reawakened” in her. Her struggle between the two states as a scared child and an angry murder victim offers some of the best moments of the show. There is further conflict from this plot line as this soul is apparently one that was forbidden by the order from ever returning.
The show sounds complex but is laid out very deftly, it takes its time to build the mythos and reveal information. It stays grounded and brings in the more supernatural elements gradually. There are dark themes and some disturbing visuals, religious lore and superstitions folded into the history of the order. The show has a brooding atmosphere but is undone at times by the script. There is an insistence on repeating phrases meant to sound ominous or be some kind of mythological code that just end up sounding silly, with no menace to them. The very nature of the story implies a mythology and history and it is better served coming out in drips rather than the more heavy handed approach. These instances are in the minority but do stick out. The series is structured in such a way to feed you information and the payoffs and reveals come later in the season. Some viewers may be frustrated after one or two episodes, but this show plays a long game in terms of plot.
THE PACKAGE Intruders has a very strong visual identity. A gothic bleakness showed off by its setting in rainy Seattle. The transfer shows this off nicely: deep blacks, sharp detail and great contrast.
The special features are rather sparse, with the only real addition being Inside The Intruders, a featurette interviewing most of the cast as well as delving into the casting and characters. Some additional features looking at the original source material and how it was adapted would have been appreciated. Also, it would be interesting to know how the collaboration between the BBC and BBC America is actually organized.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Intruders season one offers up a solid beginning for the series; a suspenseful thriller where Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets Being John Malkovich. It goes a long way to building up the mythos around this cult that exists to perpetuate the rebirth of souls into a new generation. It’s engaging but it just needs to stop trying too hard at times and let the buildup flow more naturally. It’s a hard nut to crack initially but after a few episodes the show builds up steam and intrigue. There’s certainly enough promise to make me eager for more episodes, with this package being a great way to catch up on an intriguing effort.
Invaders is available from December 23rd from Amazon at the link below or directly from the BBC America shop here.