Plot: What’s it about?
Duane “Dog” Chapman is no stranger to a life of crime, but he got cleaned up and now, he finds himself on the other side of the law. He runs a bail bond office and when his clients run afoul, he doesn’t hesitate to track them down and turn them over to the police. He is Dog the Bounty Hunter, a larger than life persona that has given Chapman a dose of fame. His squad of helpers includes his wife, who runs the office and other family members who take to the streets with him to recover fleeing clients. The group is tight knit and tough as nails, but they also strive to help those they encounter. Dog wants to see these folks turn their lives around and he does what he can to assist in that.
This is another “reality” series, as we follow Chapman and his posse on their hunts, while also getting a look inside their lives. The balance is well handled, as we learn about the person being tracked, see the process that unfolds, join Chapman on the capture, then we’re there as Chapman tries to offer some help. Chapman has all sorts of one liners and memorable phrases, especially as he goes into bounty hunter mode, then calms down after the capture to go into preach mode. The transition is priceless and Chapman rarely fails to entertain on either side of the issue. I was disappointed when only a compilation was released for the first season, but I hoped for complete seasons down the line. That doesn’t seem to be in the cards however, as this release offers seven episodes chosen by Chapman himself. Of course I would prefer season collections, but if you need a Dog fix, then give this disc a rental.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in full frame, as intended. This looks about like it does when broadcast, solid, but this is reality television, so it isn’t as refined. But the visuals come across clean and sharp, so you won’t miss any of the action. Dog’s massive mullet is crystal clear too, which I know is important to some folks. The colors have a natural tone, while black levels remain consistent. This just looks like most reality shows do, good, but not as slick as normal shows. And since the transfers here represent the intended visuals well, I can’t imagine fans will be let down by these presentations.
Audio: How does it sound?
The same holds true here, as the audio is live, so it can be rough at times, but for the most part, the soundtrack is up to snuff. The office and interview segments sound clear and no issues arise, thanks to the more controlled environment. Out on the track downs however, the sound can be off a little, but that is part and parcel with this type of show. You might not pick up all the vocals, so a line could be missed here and there, but not that often. And if flaws do surface, it is due to the live and raw nature of the material, so the soundtrack is just the best this material can sound.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes talent files on the show’s stars, as well as a trivia quiz.
