DVD Corner

Covert Affairs: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review

“Covert Affairs” is familiar, but enjoyable for the first three seasons at least.

USA Network’s “Covert Affairs” started back in 2010 and ran for 5 seasons. The cable action drama created by Matt Corman and Chris Ord (and produced by Doug Liman) revolved around Annie- a rookie CIA operative who is tough, brave, bold, personable, and skilled. Annie gets thrown head first into global missions and must learn the ropes (and improvise) quickly. She is aided by a blind handler (Auggie), the head of Domestic Protection Division (Joan), and the initial Director of Clandestine Services (Arthur). Throughout the series, there are plots involving Annie’s lover Ben (who mysteriously disappeared), spies, double agents gathering intel, leak investigations, traitors, undercover jobs, protection duties, other agents (like Mossad agent Eyal), promotions, extractions and rescue operations, assets, assassins, Annie finding romance, terrorists, corruption, Annie’s health, and a bombing.

If you’ve seen “La Femme Nikita,” “Alias,” and “The Bourne Identity,” nothing in “Covert Affairs” will surprise you. It doesn’t bring anything new to the table and that’s ok. It’s an accessible, fast paced action drama that is all about Annie juggling dual lives (home and work) and the often dangerous missions she embarks on which tend to end up with people dead. For the first three seasons, the show focuses on a more episodic approach to the show’s benefit. This is when the show is at its best and allows cast members like Peter Gallagher, Oded Fehr, Kari Matchett, Christopher Gorham, and Piper Perabo to interact and shine. Sure, the action isn’t always the best as it can be a bit clunky in its attempts to mimic “The Bourne Identity,” but it’s easy to overlook the shortcomings.

Once season 4 and 5 roll around, “Covert Affairs” takes a deep plummet in quality. The show opts for a more dramatic serialized approach and in turn removes what made the show entertaining. These seasons are more of a drawn out bore and feature ridiculous plotting (like the Henry arc), shoehorned romances, and convoluted arcs that you just wish would wrap up.

Going back to the cast, it was refreshing to see Piper Perabo get the showcase here. The actress is perhaps best known for “Coyote Ugly,” but in shows like this and later “Yellowstone,” she shows a real range. Oded Fehr, Peter Gallagher, fan favorite Christopher Gorham, and especially Kari Matchett are also in top form here to no surprise. It’s fun to see a lot of guest stars/recurring stars like Jaimie Alexander, Peter Stormare and “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” alumni Amy Jo Johnson pop up as well.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? For a 16 year old series, I was shocked at how good “Covert Affairs” looks on Blu-ray. The colors are positively striking. This is well worth the upgrade for fans looking to ditch their DVD sets.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The 5.1 track is nothing short of active in all the right ways. 

Extras:
* Deleted scenes from season 1,2, 3, 4, and 5
* Set tour
* Gag reel from season 1, 2, 4, and 5
* Commentary on “The Pilot” by Piper Perabo, Christopher Gorham, Doug Liman, Matt Corman and Chris Ord, commentary on “Communication Breakdown” with Piper Perabo, Christopher Gorham, Doug Liman, Dave Bartis and Matt Corman and Chris Ord, and commentary on “When The Levee Breaks” with Piper Perabo, Christopher Gorham, Doug Liman, Dave Bartis, Matt Corman and Chris Ord.
* An action reel
* “Sights Unseen: A Covert Affairs Prequel” and “Sights Unseen: Auggie Undercover- A Covert Affairs Prequel”
* Piper Perabo Comic-Con Intro
* “Covert Affairs On Location” featurette
* 3 season 1 featurettes titled “Welcome To The Farm,” “Blind Insight,” and “Celebrate The ADA.”

July 24, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Action Show, Christopher Gorham, Covert Affairs TV Show, Covert Affairs: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review, Piper Perabo, Spy Show, USA Network